"You hass!" shouted Mr. Bradshaw. "You only worship him when you're in the prisoners' box. I 'spect that's where you met him. Call him 'his Lordship' when he's a-wisitin'. Now again." James obeyed. "Bravo--that's better!" said another voice. It proceeded from a mite of a man who had approached noiselessly, and who now stood rubbing his hands approvingly. "But it's rather late for rehearsals, Mr. Bradshaw, isn't it?" he added. "Parker's taken ill," said Mr. Bradshaw savagely. "He's sent this screw to take his place." "So thoughtful of Parker," murmured the little man. "What's your name, and where do you come from?" addressing the candidate for office. "James Finny, sir--from Mr. Birket Rivers." "Mr. Birket Rivers," reflected the other. "Ah, to be sure--Mr. Birket Rivers, the young millionaire. Drives a team of spanking bays at the Four-in-Hand meets. Attaché at Constantinople, or something. Came into money and left the Service. Wishes he'd stopped in it, I believe. A very active young gentleman. Oh, yes, I've heard of your master--your late master, James Finny." The little man was studying him intently all the time. Then he fixed his eyes on Rivers' hands. He lifted the right one, looked at it, and passed on. There was a loud ring, and a footman entered with "Please, Mr. Bradshaw, there's the gentlemen come from the hembassy." The butler bustled to the door. "Go up to Parker's room, and change into his things at once, and then come down to me in the 'all," he said to Rivers. "Yes, sir," Rivers replied. "Beg pardon, Mr. Bradshaw, who was that small gentleman wot just left us?" "That small gentleman," said Mr. Bradshaw, with swelling dignity, "is Mr. Marvell, from Scotland Yard; so you'd better be careful, Finny." Prince Ali Azim, accompanied by the Vizier and a numerous suite, arrived that afternoon, and the whole household was thenceforth kept busy attending to the wants, numerous and peculiar, of the Persians. Rivers' chief duties were to attend to the hall door, and to help to wait at meals. He did his work to the satisfaction of Mr. Bradshaw, and never a day passed without Mr. Marvell, who was installed as the protecting angel of the establishment, staring fixedly at him, and then passing some word of commendation in a tone that brought the blood to his face. "A shocking habit you have of blushing, James Finny," the little man would say as he toddled away. And all the time the new footman was trying to find out where the Order of the Lion and the Sun was kept. It was the 12th before he ascertained that it was in one of three despatch boxes kept in a bookcase in the library. The Burglars' meeting took place on the 13th. He must purloin it before then--that very night, if possible. At five o'clock the Vizier was taken ill.