"Straightway there was ushered into my presence a big man clothed in rich garments. His sable complexion and thick lips declared him to be a moorman from across the seas, and his beardless chin further told at a glance that he was an attendant at the seraglio of some rich noble.
"He salaamed me with the cool confidence of his kind, and, without waiting for an invitation, seated himself on the carpet at my feet.
"'My name, O learned hakeem, is Malik Kafur,' he began in the shrill treble voice I had anticipated, 'and you know why I come here.'
"As my knowledge had been taken for granted, I bowed in acquiescence.
"'But her highness said that you would first of all show me her signet so as to prove that you are acting with her authority.'
"With all due gravity I produced the chalcedony seal from my belt, and, without quitting hold, extended it for my visitor's inspection. There was a swift gleam of recognition in his eyes.
"'Then proceed,' I said, quietly. 'You can speak in the fullest confidence.'
"'I have promised the maharanee that to-morrow, when the fourth of the day is over, I shall conduct her into the bazaars. She bade me explain her plans precisely, so that you in turn should know how to act. Well, her highness will be, as usual, in her palankeen slung between two mules. When we turn from the coppersmiths' bazaar into the secluded bazaar where the money changers dwell, the two grooms in charge of the mules will be assailed by budmashes and beaten with sticks. I, too, will be knocked down and my clothes torn; but do not worry on my account.'
"I gave a cheerful nod to signify that his anxiety on this score might be set at rest.
"'It will devolve on you to have two men ready to take advantage of the confusion of the scuffle and lead away the mules with the palankeen, conducting the maharanee to a place which she herself will indicate. This you understand?'
"'At night, when I shall come to you again, under cover of the darkness, you will pay over to me the agreed-upon price--the ten pearls which her highness has placed in your custody.'
"'They are here,' I assented, holding aloft the little string of pearls, the purpose they were intended to serve at last made clear to my understanding.