The Fakeer's cry was broken off abruptly, and there was a noise as if of a scuffle below. Could it be any one in the Wuzeer's interest, seeking for information, or perhaps with deadly intent. "Ho there!" cried the secretary; "what noise is that so early, disturbing the King?" "Some drunken Fakeer, my lord," returned one of the guards, looking up, "who has intruded, God knows how." "Keep him, and I will come down presently," answered the Meerza, not waiting for the reply, but re-entering the chamber. "Some Fakeer, my lord," he continued to the King, but answering his look of intelligence, "whom I have ordered to be confined till the Darogah of the palace can deal with him for his insolence." "If he be one of my men come after me," said the Syud, "he shall be punished. And now, my lord, have I permission to depart? Delay not in this matter; and may God give you a safe deliverance from a traitor!" "You may go, Meer Sahib," said the King; "and we thank you for this visit; but shall need you at noon." "Your servant will be present without fail," returned the Syud, humbly. "Would that his power were equal to his devotion in the King's service!" "Return directly," said the King, in a whisper, to his secretary, as the holy man waddled slowly to the door. "I know who it is; bring him hither at once. Hast thou forgotten the Jogi of the temple?" "Hither? that fearful man!" "Yes, and at once--any excuse--say he does exorcism--anything." The secretary hesitated. "At once," continued the King, positively, "and without fail. I feared him not then, when I was in his power and helpless, neither do I now. Go, take this with thee," and he slipped his signet ring into the Meerza's hand. "I will have him searched at any rate," thought the Meerza, as he descended the narrow stair. "Take care, Meer Sahib, the light is uncertain. Ah, here we are. Who is that, Abdulla, that was crying out?" he said to a eunuch, who, with others, kept guard at the foot of the stairs. "I know not, my lord. He is some drunken Fakeer, no doubt; and they have tied him up, I hear." "He may be wanted above," whispered the Meerza. "Let him follow me, and without notice or hindrance. Some exorcism is needed--you understand--within----" The man stared, and only bowed assent over his crossed arms. "Who dared question royal secrets?" "Coming, Meer Sahib; I only looked for my shoes," cried the Meerza to his companion, who had advanced a few paces. Hearing the secretary's voice, several persons emerged from the guard-room, holding the Fakeer tightly. His face was distinctly seen in the morning light, and there could be no mistake. "He is not one of my children," said the Syud, blandly, looking at the man, and seating himself in his palankeen, which had been brought up; "some drunken brawler, no doubt, who deserves a whipping. Send him to the Kótwal, my sons. I am departing, Meerza Sahib." "Khôda Hafiz! (God be with you!)" returned the secretary. "At noon, you remember!"