iet for a little, and I could see the glint of his
eyes as he stared at me through the gloom. He was partly stunned, I
think, by the force with which I had hurled him into his seat. And also
he was pondering, perhaps, what he should do next. Presently he got his
mouth partly free from the cravat.

"'You shall have my watch and my purse if you will let me go,' said he.

"'Sir,' said I, 'I am as honourable a man as you are yourself.'

"'Who are you, then?'

"'My name is of no importance.'

"'What do you want with me?'

"It is a bet.'

"'A bet? What d'you mean? Do you understand that I am on the
Government service, and that you will see the inside of a gaol for
this?'

"'That is the bet. That is the sport, said I.'

"'You may find it poor sport before you finish,' he cried. 'What is
this insane bet of yours then?'

"'I have bet,' I answered, 'that I will recite a chapter of the Koran to
the first gentleman whom I should meet in the street.'

"I do not know what made me think of it, save that my translation was
always running in my head. He clutched at the door-handle, and again I
had to hurl him back into his seat.

"'How long will it take?' he gasped.

"'It depends on the chapter,' I answered.

"'A short one, then, and let me go!'

"'But is it fair?' I argued. 'When I say a chapter, I do not mean the
shortest chapter, but rather one which should be of average length.'

"'Help! help! help!' he squealed, and I was compelled again to adjust
his cravat.

"'A little patience,' said I, 'and it will soon be over. I should like
to recite the chapter which would be of most interest to yourself. You
will confess that I am trying to make things as pleasant as I can for
you?"

He slipped his mouth free again.

"'Quick, then, quick!' he groaned.

"'The Chapter of the Camel?' I suggested.

"'Yes, yes.'

"'Or that of the Fleet Stallion?'

"'Yes, yes. Only proceed!'

"We had passed the window and there was no candle. I settled down to
recite the Chapter of the Stallion to him. Perhaps you do not know your
Koran very well, monsieur? Well, I knew it by heart then, as I know it
by heart now. The style is a little exasperating for anyone who is in a
hurry. But, then, what would you have? The people in the East are
never in a hurry, and it was written for them. I repeated it all with
the dignity and solemnity which a sacred book demands, and the young
Englishman he wriggled and groaned.

"