ank and his
companion. In the heat of the day he paused for an hour, to bait and
water his horse, which, nevertheless, was quite worn out ere sunset.
Elias was forced to dismount and lead him slowly.

The mountain slopes were hung with vineyards, fields and gardens.
Sauntering groups appeared upon the path, which now began to assume the
aspect of a proper road. Rounding a shoulder of the terraced hill,
Elias had a view of the chief town of the region, clothing half the
mountainside, beneath its famous mosque. He determined to enter the
place and make inquiries, though the Muslim mob, he knew, was fierce
and dangerous.

Going straight to the house of a Christian of his own Church, he asked
for hospitality, which was granted to him in Allah's name. Having
cared for the horse, he went indoors and told his errand, seeking
tidings of the chase; and presently his host went out to make
inquiries. He returned to declare, upon authority of an officer of the
watch, that no party resembling that described had entered the town.

Now Iskender had named this city many times as lying in the direct road
to the seat of treasure. His avoidance of it, therefore, must have
been of purpose to elude Elias--his best, his truest friend! The
outraged dragoman called God to witness. It was evident that Iskender
meant to be the only one to find the golden valley. Having used his
money as the means to get there, he would doubtless make away with the
Emir. Elias wept at picture of the cruel fate which awaited that
unsuspecting nobleman. However, he himself was not yet beaten. He
still had hopes that, by minute inquiry, he might come upon their
tracks and overtake them.

But when the morrow came his horse was useless. Having money, he went
out to hire another. But while he was about the business, soldiers
came to him and asked to be shown the permission by which he travelled.
He produced a document, but it was out of date. They told him so. In
some alarm, he swore by Allah he was in the service of an English
prince as mighty as the Sultan. They straightway asked to see the
prince in question; and Elias had to own that he was not forthcoming.
Then they laughed him to scorn--the dragoman without a tourist. One
took a fancy to the knife that decked his waist-band. Another admired
his whip, and promptly took it. His pistol too was gone. In vain he
looked for help or sympathy; the crowd of fierce-eyed, turbaned Muslims
only jeer