He had never missed his hat.
He had carried it under his arm when he entered the salon.
So excited was he at the sight of Lalla, that he dropped his chapeau and never missed it.
The women could not explain how it came about that a mouse wore a soft felt helmet.
The eunuch took his scimiter and started on his mission of discovery.
He slashed at every piece of drapery which he thought might cover a man, and was approaching the place where Max was hidden, when Lalla fell on her knees.
“Oh, spare him!”
“Who do you mean?”
“He came here, I know not why; I hid him. I never saw him before, but he is so handsome! Do not kill him.”
“Get up,” ordered the eunuch, gruffly.