"People will talk, friend," said the Kótwal; "but where did he go? if thou'rt sure he went." "Nay, that is more than your poor slave knows. They say he took the young Fazil Khan with him, or else the Wuzeer's son. Sure he went? yes, my lord, quite sure," said the man, emphatically. "I was in the citadel, and saw him go out." "Ay, indeed! Boy's tricks, boy's tricks, Habeeb; yet that Fazil Khan was accounted a steady youth: but he is in trouble about last night." "Ah, master! we have all been like him once," said the barber, chuckling. "I suppose it was one of the new dancers----" "Except that we did no murder, friend," returned the Kótwal, interrupting him. "Is my lord _very_ particular about a noble slaying a thief, or a night brawler?" asked the barber. "O no! and it will be settled. And now you may go, Habeeb--find out who was visited last night; perhaps ... no matter ... and thou shalt have thy mouth filled, after our Persian fashion, with gold zecchins and sugar-candy. There are a couple in earnest of more." "May the sun of your splendour increase in brightness, master!" returned the man, taking the money, and retreating backwards till he gained the door. "I will inquire----" "And now for this boy and his rough father," said Jehándar Beg, speaking to himself, as the door closed on the barber; "if they could be gained? Well, I must see. If not--we cannot allow them to live; they are too powerful," and he rose and went into the outer hall. "And no one has passed here, Jaffur?" said Jehándar Beg to the Nubian slave, who, with some others, watched the door of the court where Afzool Khan was confined. "No one, my lord, except the servants with their meal." "Did they speak to him?" "Not a word, my lord; I listened carefully." "Have the Khan and his son been speaking to each other?" "Yes, frequently; but as they have moved to the other side of the court, which is now in shadow, I cannot hear them. My lord is going in? Should we not attend? They are armed." "I am not afraid, Jaffur; put up thy weapon. Keep the door ajar, but do not enter, and, on your life, let no one listen. Do ye hear, all of ye?" "Jo hookum!" (as you order), cried all together, dispersing as the Kótwal entered. Afzool Khan and his son were sitting, as Jaffur had described, in the opposite corner of the court from the door; for the sun was now shining with a painful glare of heat into that side by which the Kótwal entered, while, opposite, the cool verandah was rendered more refreshing from the shadow of a large champa tree, which fell over the building and enclosure where they were. They rose courteously as the Kótwal advanced, and, saluting him gravely, yet without any expression of impatience at detention, requested him to be seated.