It was now between second and third jackal cry, that is to say, the deadest hour in the Indian night, when even natives and dogs sleep. Yet there were two figures stealing round the base of the Diwân's tower to the piled ruins of the old wall which had fallen on the potter's house long years before; fallen suddenly in the night, after just such a storm as that now sweeping up with the wind. 'Ari, heart's core!' pleaded a cracked voice, 'sure the rain begins even now, and God knows what the old stairs be like. 'Tis sixteen years gone since they were used. Holy Fâtma, what a flash! 'Tis no night for women-folk to be out; be wise and leave it. To-morrow, perchance, when they pack up the things, I may lay hands on it.' 'Be still, mai! What good to talk when 'tis settled? What didst say? Straight up to the hole in the wall, three steps down to the ledge, along that to the window slit in the Diwân's stair, so by them to the gate; thou hast the key. No, 'tis open, thou sayest. Is not that right? Lo, mai, 'tis easy.' 'In the old days; but the lattice parapet is gone, they say, and a false step--O Azîz, be wise! Would God I had not told thee of it.' A faint laugh echoed into the pitchy darkness. 'Thy aches and pains would never have reached the pot otherwise, O mother!' The hint was not lost on old Zainub. She stumbled on hastily until a shimmer of lightning showed an opening half hidden by _débris_ in the base of the tower into which she crept. 'See, here are the matches,' she whimpered, 'and witness, O Azîz! I have done all, even to letting thee wear the old dress, since it pleaseth thee, though wherefore, God knows----' ''Tis light and strong,' interrupted the girl hastily. 'Stay you here, mother; I will be back ere long.' A box of Swedish _tändstickors_ made for the British market with a portrait of Mr. Pickwick on the cover, was an incongruous item in the scene, yet one of them looked tragic enough as it sent a glow through Azîzan's brown fingers and showed a broken flight of steps. 'I will be back ere long,' she repeated at the first turn. Then the light went with her into the very heart of the wall.