the matter could not be settled
that night. They must all wait until the morning, when I would consult
my Department, and Mehemet Ali, together with his aides, could leave for
Constantinople by the evening train, after my superiors had been
acquainted with the Sultan's wishes.

"Turks are difficult people to understand. It seemed to me that my
decision gave some satisfaction to Mehemet Ali, who was undoubtedly very
much upset by the queer manner in which he had been deposed from his
important trust. At once an animated discussion took place."

"In French?" interrupted Brett.

"No; in Turkish."

"Did the gentleman with the sabre-cut on his face take any part
therein?"

"Not in the least. He sat and smoked cigarettes in the most unconscious
manner possible, leaving his two associates to carry on the
conversation."

As the barrister appeared to have no further question to ask at the
moment, Talbot continued--

"Several times Mehemet Ali appealed to me to change my mind and formally
ratify the transfer at once. I was quite firm in my refusal, and did not
hesitate to describe the Sultan's demands as ridiculous. I was rendered
more determined, if anything, in this attitude by a growing certainty
in my mind that his Excellency himself approved of my attitude.
Ultimately, it seems, they hit upon a compromise. The whole party would
remain together all night in a sort of dual control, and then the change
of guardianship would take place next day in accordance with my views as
to what was right and proper. I must admit I was intensely relieved when
this decision was arrived at. Looking back now over the events of the
night, I can perceive that from that moment the gang who effected the
murders and the robbery had me in their power, for they had completely
succeeded in allaying my suspicions, and I can only plead in extenuation
of my shortsightedness that Mehemet Ali himself, and the other gentlemen
with whom I had been acquainted during the past month, were willing
accessories to the arrangement."

"I do not see," said Brett, "that you have the slightest cause to
reproach yourself. You acted quite properly throughout, and I am sure
that when all the facts are known your status at the Foreign Office will
be improved rather than diminished by this incident."

The other man's face flushed with pleasure as he heard these words.

"Thank you," he replied simply. "I certainly took every precaution that
suggested itself to m