"Observe, O Emir," the Jew said, passing them both to his guest, "they are rare, curious, and exactly alike."
The circlets were of gold, with raised settings of deep green stone, cut so as to leave a drop of pure turquoise on the top of each, suggestive of birds' eyes.
"They are exactly the same, O Prince," said the Emir, tendering them back.
The Jew waved his hand.
"Select one of them," he said, "and I will retain the other. Borne by messengers, they will always identify us each to the other."
The two grew more cordial, and there was much further conversation across the board, interspersed with attentions to the fruit basket and pomegranate water. About midnight the Emir took his departure. When he was gone, the host walked to and fro a long time; once he halted, and said aloud—"I hear his salute, 'Hail Mahommed, Conqueror of Constantinople!' It is always well to have a store of strings for one's bow."
And to himself he laughed heartily.
Next day at dawn the great caravan was afoot, every man, woman, and child clad in Ihram, and whitening the pale green Valley.