The wretched man gave a start and turned very pale when he saw us, but endeavouring to put a bold face upon it, he came bowing and cringing towards us, smiling and wringing his hands.
"What an honour to my poor house!" he exclaimed. "How unworthy am I to receive such august guests!"
"We've come to see if you have any more crystals like the one I bought of you to-day, Mustapha," I said.
"Alas! honoured patron, none!" cried Mustapha in a relieved voice, thinking that he now knew the object of our visit.
"Think—think, Mustapha," said I. "Have you no piece of clear glass that could be used in its place?"
"I took up the stone"
"Alas, none!" he replied, shaking his head.
"Look about," said I. "Here in the shop—and down in the cellar."