"Well," returned the Kótwal, wagging his head, "the fact is, they do; and perhaps you were, my young friend. Let me see; his highness is about your own age. When I was as old I remember the Shah, with some others of us, used to have frolics now and then in the bazars of Isfahan. Ah, Meah, there were----" Fazil made a gesture, as if his father, who was sitting bolt upright, with his eyes shut, might not like to hear the remainder. "Yes," continued the Kótwal, "if ye did go, what matter?" "I have before said that Bulwunt Rao was my companion, not the King; and the rest you know of," interrupted the young Khan. "Not all, Meah; but we are out of court now, and I am quite sure of my young friend's good faith to let me know anything that concerns the state interests, the King, or the Wuzeer; and so, Meah Sahib, if we could examine those papers together----" "Ah, yes! the papers, Meerza, you would not understand them--they were Mahratta." "But we could find a Karkoon to read them, and you are known to speak that language, Meah?" "True, Meerza Sahib, I do; but the papers are not here----" "Not here, sir!" cried Jehándar Beg, with an ominous scowl passing over his face, at which Afzool Khan involuntarily allowed his hand to steal to his sword hilt, as it lay on the ground. "Not here?" "Not here," echoed Fazil demurely, dropping his eyes. "But they were here when you came this morning?" "Certainly they were; and one of our people took them home for me." "Yet you promised they should be forthcoming whenever I required them? Beware, Fazil Khan, how you entangle yourself in this matter," returned the Kótwal, sternly. "I do not think I made any promise, Meerza Sahib," replied Fazil; "'tis you who must be mistaken, pardon me for saying so. I said they concerned the King, our lord and master, and would be shown to him only: and in Durbar to-day they will be presented to him. You will be there, of course?" "By Alla!" exclaimed the Kótwal; "but if----" At the oath the old Khan fairly took his sword in his left hand, and placed it across his knees, while he looked grimly at his host; and Fazil saw the upper portion of his father's moustache, where it touched his cheek, quivering with suppressed rage. Jehándar Beg checked himself, and said, deferentially, "Forgive the oath, Khan Sahib, and you know enough of Persians to excuse it. It would have been pleasant, as fellow-servants of the King, to have shared your confidence. As it is denied, I yield the point; and you are welcome to all the credit of the service you will do my lord. But what say you, gentlemen, to assisting me to re-examine that Khayet who is detained without; you acknowledge, Meah Sahib, at least, that he was rescued by you--perhaps from death?"