THE IllON NAIL. 411 



rested without repining ; but that is past." The Arab paused as 

 though to linger on the recollections. " Since that I have wandered 

 up and down the world like a restless spirit. I have spoken to the 

 rich men of Damascus and Bagdad with their robes of gold I have 

 beheld at Dheli the marble palaces of nobles I have seen their 

 young white slaves I have gazed on the golden cups filled with the 

 sparkling wine of Shiraz I have heard the music to the voluptuous 

 dance while I have been poor and naked. Effendi, I have beheld 

 the cup of happiness before my very eyes, touching my very lips, 

 and I would have a long deep draught ; for that " and here his eye 

 kindled with an unnatural fire, " for that, were the evil one to tempt, 

 he should have me, body and soul \" 



" And were I to give thee these riches" returned the other, " would 

 you promise to do without question whatsoever I should command, 

 and faithfully to keep my secret ? " 



" Have I invoked the tempter ? and behold he is with me ! I 

 have said it. I am your slave." 



" Well said, Arab, thou shalt never know want again gold I will 

 give thee in store. Thou shalt no longer sigh after the robes of rich 

 men nor the palaces of nobles, nor their slaves, nor their jewelled 

 wine-cup, sparkling with the grape of Shiraz. Thou shalt have them 

 all, and more swear by the bones of your father that you will do 

 my bidding and keep my secret." 



" I swear it ! Now, brave Effendi, tell me my errand shall I 

 wrap Bagdad in flames ? shall I murder the monarch of Dheli ? or, 

 must I to Stamboul and stab the descendant of the Prophet? or, 

 perhaps, you love the sultana Argemund Banee the Taj-Tahal 

 (crown of the seraglio) ; say but the word and give me the means, 

 and I will pluck her from the very arms of her husband the king, 

 and bring her to your feet. Something like this must I do to earn 

 so tfich a reward." 



The stranger smiled as he listened to the extravagant offers of his 

 companion. " No, good Zahab, nothing of this will I require of 

 you. Your task, though desperate, you will share with me ; I dare 

 not trust more than one, and I have faith in a son of the desert 

 with him I will share my prize. But, hark ! did you hear the neigh- 

 ing of horses in the west?" The Arab listened attentively. 



" No ; 'tis but the shrill cry of the jackall prowling for his prey ! 

 Now mark me Effendi, you ha,ve placed before me the pearls of 

 Paradise - see that they mock me not. You have kindled the fire 

 which consumes me, deceive me not; for by the beard of the Pro- 

 phet I am a desperate man;" and his hand clutched convulsively 

 his dagger. A smile of bitter scorn played upon the features of the 

 stranger, shaded as they were by the folds of his turban ; but he be- 

 trayed no sign of impatience or fear, save that his hand played, as it 

 were instinctively, with the jewelled handle of his sabre. 



" No, no ! brave Zahab fear not for my faith ; thou shalt have 

 wherewith to calm this fever of thine : but hark ! my ears do not de- 

 ceive me this time on that breath of the wind I heard voices listen." 



"You heard aright;" said the Arab. The stranger rose, arid 

 making a peculiar signal, both the horses came from the pasture, and 



