"Truly this district has an evil name for thieves and budmashes. The robber has carried the jewels to the city, and they are doubtless ere now broken up and sent to Delhi."
"You think, Abdul, there is no chance of ever getting them back or of finding the things?" enquired his employer as she settled her elbows on the table and stared at him fixedly.
"None; truly 'tis but a loss of time!"
"How lucky that I kept out the beautiful diamond and emerald pendant. It is worth all the rest. Such stones!"
Abdul sat more erect, and his eyes now assumed a look of keen interest, hitherto somewhat lacking in their expression, as he ejaculated a sonorous "Ah-h!"
"I admired the ornament so much, Verona made me take it. I have no jewels, and I have hidden it safely."
"Hidden it—and where?" he asked.
As he put the question Abdul's great turbaned head lay half resting on his shoulder; his countenance was childlike and bland.
"Nay, nay," she answered with a laugh, "I cannot tell you that; the very walls have ears."
"It is not then in the dufta?"