writer, who giveth to the public every day a new book to read, the paper of news, Khabar-i-Khagaz wherein are written the misdeeds of the wicked, and the dealings of the fraudulent and the unwary receive their just reward?  And think you he will not make a great writing, several columns in length, and deliver it to the devils that perform his bidding, and shall they not multiply what he hath written, and sow it broadcast over the British Raj for the minor consideration of one anna a copy, that all shall see how the Maharajah of Baithopoor doth scandalously repudiate his debts, and harbour traitors to the Raj in his palace?”

Isaacs said all this in a solemn and impressive manner, calculated to inspire awe and terror in the soul of the unhappy debtor.  As for the maharajah, the cold sweat stood on his face, and at the last words his anxiety was so great that the long fingers uncurled spasmodically and the jewelled mouthpiece fell back, as the head of a snake, among the silken coils of the tube at his feet.  Instantly, on feeling the grasping hand empty, his majesty, with more alacrity than I would have expected, darted forward with outstretched claws, as a hawk on his prey, and seizing the glittering thing returned it to his lips with a look of evident relief.  It was habit, of course, for we were not exactly the men to plunder him of his toy, but there was a fierceness about the whole action that spoke of the real miser.  Then there was silence for a moment.  The old man was evidently greatly impressed by the perils of his situation.  Isaacs continued.

“Your majesty well perceives that you have surrounded yourself with dangers on all sides.  No danger threatens me.  I could buy you and Baithopoor to-morrow if I chose.  But I am a just man.  When the prophet, whose name be blessed, saith that we shall have eye for eye, and nose for nose, and for wounding retaliation, he saith also that ’he that remitteth the same as alms it shall be an atonement unto him.’  Now your majesty is a hard man, and I well know that if I force you to pay me now you will cruelly tax and oppress your subjects to refill your coffers.  And many of your subjects are true believers, following the prophet, upon whom be peace; and it is also written ’Thou shalt rob a stranger, but thou shalt not rob a brother,’—­and if I cause you to rob my brethren is not the sin mine, and the atonement thereof?  Now also has the lawful interest on your bond mounted up to several lakhs of rupees.  But for the sake of my brethren who are in bondage to you, who are an unbeliever and shall broil everlastingly in raging flames, I will yet make a covenant with you, and the agreement thereof shall be this: