of even the most sluggard risers. Meanwhile I took a mental inventory of my host's possessions.
Upon
a large square of grass mat stood a solid hardwood table, surrounded
by several high-backed chairs, which gave evidence of being home-made.
Two rocking-chairs had apparently seen several generations come and go.
A polished brass vase or two and a cheap colour print on a wall,
depicting their British Majesties, supplied the decorations. One
outsize spittoon represented utility. The room itself was portioned off
by a drab cotton curtain reaching half-way to the bare rafters, and
hung loosely suspended from a thin, tautly stretched wire rope.
Occasionally this curtain bulged and I thought I saw an eye applied to
a convenient spy-hole. Mirzah's harem was slaking its curiosity.
Presently
Mirzah returned with an armful of provisions. After some delay they
were passed back to him through the curtain in the semblance of a
substantial breakfast. He ate, I smoked. At length he was willing to
talk business. He vouchsafed that there was a wealthy Chinese lady who
had long been waiting for such as me. She might be game for a good
five-carat stone, at a reasonable price, but he warned me that she knew
what was what. There were also others, he told me, who might be
tempted, but the first call must be made on the old lady in the fine
big house on the top of the hill. I would place myself entirely in his
hands, I said, adding that I was ready to go. But he insisted that
first he must send his serving-man to make sure that our visit was
welcome. The man returned immediately to say we could come as soon as
we liked, but Mirzah
