'  We  wiU  soon  see  that,'  said  the  Khan  deliberately.  '  Go  ! '
he  said  to  Daood,  who  stood  by,  '  bring  two  grooms  with  whips;
let  us  see  whether  they  cannot  bring  this  worthy  man  to  a  very
different  opinion.'

It  was  not  needed,  however;  the  Moonshee,  terrified  almost
to  speechlessness,  and  not  heeding  the  interference  Kasim  was
earnestly  making  in  his  behalf,  prostrated  himself  on  the  ground
at  the  Khan's  feet.
'  I  will  pay !  I  will  pay  all ! '  he  cried ;  '  I  confess  my  false
accounts.  Do  with  me  what  thou  wilt,  but  oh !  save  my
character;  I  am  a  respectable  man.'

'  Good ! '  said  the  Khan ;  '  all  of-  ye  who  are  present  hear  that
he  has  confessed  himself  a  thief  before  he  was  touched,  and  that
he  says  he  is  a  respectable  man.  Ye  will  bear  me  witness  in  this
— a  respectable  man — ^Ya  Moula  Ali ! '

All  answered  that  they  would.  '  Take  him  then,'  he  said  to
Daood  and  some  of  the  Furashes  who  stood  near,  'take  him
from  my  sight;  put  him  on  an  ass,  with  his  face  to  the  tail;
blacken  his  face,  and  show  him  in  the  bazaar.  If  any  one  re-
cognises the  respectable  Naser-oo-deen.  and  asks  after  his  health,


TIPPOO  SUITAUN.  171

say  that  he  is  taking  the  air  by  my  order,  for  having  cheated  me.
