Michael White

“ Before he could find the heart or words to dispel so captivating a situation by the evident truth that there had been a mistake, he was drawn backward a few paces, a door was opened, and he was thrust gently into the starlit outer world which was as the greater darkness. ”

“ THE TREASURE OF THE MOSQUE
SOME day when the citizens of New York realize the possibilities of their roofs the news columns will be more fertile in that respect than at present. But in the meanwhile, as Lambert will tell you, if you wish to get mixed up in really surprising complications by way of a roof, you must go to the Orient. It is there Kismet understands how to deal out the hand of a roof situation with a bewitching unveiled face for the queen, and a gray whiskered thieving old monkey for the joker. ”

“ So accompanied by some of the palace officers Lambert returned to Firoz Khan’s house through the growing popular tumult. At the door Lambert ordered the escort to remain and prevent any one’s entrance. Then he went up to his room, and making sure that he was not observed, took the jewels out of the trunk. Then he leaned out of the window and tossed the trinkets one by one on to the ledge of the buttress. The monkeys at once set up a chattering of delight. ”

“ His Highness waved the money question aside with a lofty gesture.
“The King of Aurungnugur does not consider the price of what he desires like a one—eyed man in the bazaar," remarked the Raja by the lips of an interpreter. “The design of the American Sahib is satisfactory. That is enough. As to the money, let the American Sahib go and talk with Dunkar Rao, the prime minister. His Highness is impatient to ride in the automobile.”
So Lambert went to talk with the prime and only minister of Aurungnugur. ”

“ I will seal the contract provided you thus prevent the Mohammedan uprising.”
Lambert nodded and produced his contract, in which a clause guaranteed an ample deposit. Dunkar Rao winced as he glanced over it, but finally gave his assent.
“Well,” remarked Lambert, “I guess there’s nothing more to speak of except my little bit of graft-say a couple of thousand rupees. You can hand that over now after we seal the contract.”
“But,” protested Dunkar Rao, “that is never the way of business. It is the one who seeks a favor who pays.” ”

“ Finally when he came to deliver the state automobile in all its splendor, he heard that the mullah’s daughter was about to marry a young Mohammedan noble, which indicated that she had wisely set aside all thoughts of the worthless Dunkar Rao’s son in favor of a better man. Once when Lambert was passing through the bazaar a veiled figure brushed by him closely. ”

“ But we have yet to know who assisted them in the mosque.”
Lambert scrambled off his bed and began to dress hastily, managing to substitute a valise strap in lieu of his stolen suspenders. His mind was working quickly over the situation, in which he saw extreme danger to the girl.
“Now,” he said, “I’ve got an appointment with the prime minister. It’s mighty important and——”
“Be careful, sir,” warned Firoz Khan. “As long as you are under my roof no harm shall come to you. Neither shall any man touch a hair of your possessions.” ”

“ But public opinion is different, of course, in Aurungnugur. What more seemingly was there for a resourceful young business man like Lambert to yearn for over a deal than the indifferent manner in which his Highness regarded the estimated figure of $50,000—thus far the record price in automobiles. ”