Each one pressed forward to touch the American, and some offered to hide him.
There was a noise outside, and Lalla took Max by the shoulders and pushed him behind the drapery which covered the walls.
She was only just in time.
Three eunuchs entered.
“You screamed,” said the chief.
“A mouse,” simpered one of the beauties.
“And you all saw it at the same time?”
“Yes,” answered another.
“And did the mouse wear this?” he asked, holding up a hat, which Max had dropped on the floor.
Poor Max!