tioned him to do so for him.

"Good Heavens!" exclaimed Harry, in amazement. "It is the imperial seal
of the Sultan. Mole, old man, you have been mistaken for a pasha."

"Is it possible?" cried Mole; "but what does it say?"

"Imperial Palace, Stamboul.
"In the name of Allah and the Prophet.
"To his Excellency Moley Pasha.

"This is to certify that, in consequence of the lamented death of
Youssouf Bey, Pasha of Alla-hissar, I am commanded by our sublime
master to appoint and instal you into the said government of the
city and province of Alla-hissar. Therefore you are commanded at
once to proceed thither, under an escort which will be in readiness
at the door of your hotel at five o'clock in the morning, after you
receive this. Given at the Sublime Porte by Ali Hussein Pasha,
Grand Vizier to His Imperial Majesty the Padishah."

* * * *

Mr. Mole turned pale with anxiety.

"This is very serious," he exclaimed; "but I fully expect to become a
king before I die, but in this case, what shall I do?"

"Why, become a pasha," said Jack; "it will be worth your while. We'll
give you our assistance."

"But how am I to answer the messenger?" asked Mole.

"No necessity to answer him; make signs that you obey the sultan's
mandate; you know how they do it."

Mole accordingly folded the firman again, placed it to his forehead,
and then to his heart, bowing all the time with the most profound
respect.

The messenger evidently quite understood, for he bowed too, and rode
away rapidly.

"That's what you call having greatness thrust upon you, eh, Mole?" said
Jack.

"I don't much care about it," answered the tutor. "I don't believe I
shall be able to carry out the character of a pasha. It's a dangerous
game."

"Nonsense," said our hero; "if they choose to make a mistake, it's
their lookout."

"I shall find it a mistake when I come to be bowstringed, or hanged, or
shot, or something of that kind," said the tutor; "but, Jack, my dear
boy, I depend upon you to pull me through."

"No fear," answered Jack; "you're a great man, Mr. Mole, and no doubt
the authorities, becoming aware of your merits, have really made choice
of you as the governor of the pashalik."

"But they must know that I'm not a Turk," objected Mole.

"That doesn't matter," said Jack; "not only Turks, but Greeks,
Americans, Italians, French, all sorts of peop