and see this father. At all events it can do no harm."

"None whateber, massa. An' I better run back and send Ali arter you."

"Why? What has he to do with it?"

"Oh! I only t'ought dat you was huntin' togidder. It's ob no
consikence. But I t'ink he knows de janissary officer what has charge
ob de gang, an' if _you_ don't know him Ali might be useful."

"There is wisdom in what you say."

"Eben zough I _is_ a `fool?'" asked the negro simply.

Osman laughed.

"At all events you are an honest fool, Peter, and I'm sorry I burned
your back the other day. You didn't deserve it."

"Oh, nebber mind dat," returned Peter, feeling really uneasy. "De
back's all right now. Moreober I _did_ deserb it, for I's an awrful
sinner! Wuss dan you t'ink! Now, if you keep right up as you go, an'
when you comes to de Kasba turn to de right an' keep so till you comes
to de right angle ob de sout' wall. De fadder he work dar. I'll send
Ali arter you, quick's I can."

They parted, and while the Moor stalked sedately up the street, the
negro hurried back to the cellar with a message to Ali to follow Osman
without a moment's delay.

Meanwhile Ali had been cleverly engaged by the ready-witted Mrs Lilly,
who, after fiercely ordering the coffee-pounder to "stop her noise,"
come out of the hole, and retire to the kitchen, drew forth a large
leathern purse, which she wisely chinked, and, going towards the stairs,
invited her master to "come to de light an' receibe de money which she
hab made by de last sale ob slippers."

Of course the bait took--none other could have been half so successful.
But Hester apparently had not courage to take advantage of the
opportunity, for she did not quit the hole. Fortunately Peter arrived
before the cash transaction was completed. On receiving Osman's message
Ali balanced accounts promptly by thrusting the purse and its contents
into his pocket and hastening away.

Then Peter the Great and Lilly sat down, took a long grave look at each
other, threw back their heads, opened their cavernous mouths, and
indulged in a quiet but hearty laugh.

"Now you kin come out, dearie," said Lilly, turning to the coffee-hole
on recovering composure.

But no response came from the "vasty deep."

"De coast's cl'ar, my dear," said Peter, rising.

Still no response, so Peter descended the few steps, and found Hester
lying insensible on a heap of coffee-beans, and still firmly grasping
the big pestle. T