unusual suggestions I am sure I know not; but the
truth is, I have fallen this evening into so many per-
plexing adventures, and all I meet conduct themselves
so strangely, that I think I must either have gone mad

188



THE RAJAH'S DIAMOND

or wandered into another planet. Your face inspires
me with confidence; you seem wise, good, and experi-
enced; tell me, for heaven's sake, why you accost me
in so odd a fashion?"

"All in due time," replied the stranger. "But I have
the first hand, and you must begin by telling me how
the Rajah's Diamond is in your possession."

"The Rajah's Diamond!"

" I would not speak so loud, if I were you," returned
the other. "But most certainly you have the Rajah's
Diamond in your pocket. I have seen and handled it a
score of times in Sir Thomas Vandeleur's collection."

" Sir Thomas Vandeleur! The General! My father! "

"Your father?" repeated the stranger. " I was not
aware the General had any family."

"I am illegitimate, sir," replied Francis with a flush.

The other bowed with gravity. It was a respectful
bow, as of a man silently apologising to his equal ; and
Francis felt relieved and comforted, he scarce knew why.
The society of this person did him good ; he seemed to
touch firm ground ; a strong feeling of respect grew up
in his bosom, and mechanically he removed his wide-
awake as though in the presence of a superior.

"I perceive," said the stranger, "that your adven-
tures have not all been peaceful. Your collar is torn,
your face is scratched, you have a cut upon your tem-
ple; you will, perhaps, pardon my curiosity when I ask
you to explain how you came by these injuries, and how
you happen to have stolen property to an enormous
value in your pocket."

" I must differ from you ! " returned Francis hotly.
" I possess no stolen property. And if you refer to the

189



NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS

diamond, it was given to me not an hour ago by Miss
Vandeleur in the Rue Lepic."

"By Miss Vandeleur of the Rue Lepic!" repeated
the other. "You interest me more than you suppose.
Pray continue."

" Heavens! " cried Francis.

His memory had made a sudden bound. He had
seen Mr. Vandeleur take an article from the breast of his
drugged visitor, and that article, he was now persuaded,
was a morocco case.

" You have a light ? " inquired the stranger.

" Listen," said Francis. " I know not who you are,
but I believe you to be worthy of confidence and help-
ful ; I find myself in strange waters ; I must have coun-
sel and support, and since you invite me I shall tell you
all."

And he briefly recounted his experience since the day
when he was summoned from the bank by his lawyer.

"Yours is indeed a remarkable history," said the
stranger, after the young man had made an end of his
narrative; "and your position is full of difficulty and
peril. Many would counsel you to seek out your father,
and give the diamond to him ; but I have other views.
Waiter! " he cried.

The waiter drew near.

"Will you ask the manager to speak with me a mo-
ment? " said he; and Francis observed once more, both
in his tone and manner, the evidence of a habit of com-
mand.

The waiter withdrew, and returned in a moment with
the manager, who bowed with obsequious respect.

"What," said he, "can I do to serve you ? "
190



THE RAJAH'S DIAMOND

" Have the goodness," replied the stranger, indicating
Francis, "to tell this gentleman my name."

" You have the honour, sir," said the functionary, ad-
dressing young Scrymgeour, "to occupy the same table
with His Highness Prince Florizel of Bohemia."

Francis rose with precipitation, and made a grateful
reverence to the Prince, who bade him resume his seat.

"I thank you," said Florizel, once more addressing
the functionary; "I am sorry to have deranged you for
so small a matter. "

And he dismissed him with a movement of his hand.

"And now," added the Prince, turning to Francis,
" give me the diamond."

Without a word the casket was handed over.

"You have done right," said Florizel; "your senti-
ments have properly inspired you, and you will live to
be grateful for the misfortunes of to-night. A man, Mr.
Scrymgeour, may fall into a thousand perplexities, but
if his heart be upright and his intelligence unclouded, he
will issue from them all without dishonour. Let your
mind be at rest; your affairs are in my hands; and with
the aid of heaven I am strong enough to bring them to a
good end. Follow me, if you please, to my carriage."

So saying the Prince arose and, having left a piece of
gold for the waiter, conducted the young man from the
cafe and along the Boulevard to where an unpretentious
brougham and a couple of servants out of livery awaited
his arrival.

"This carriage," said he, "is at your disposal; col-
lect your baggage as rapidly as you can make it conve-
nient, and my servants will conduct you to a villa in the
neighbourhood of Paris, where you can wait in some de-

191



NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS

gree of comfort until I have had time to arrange your
situation. You will find there a pleasant garden, a
library of good authors, a cook, a cellar, and some good
cigars, which I recommend to your attention. Jerome,"
he added, turning to one of the servants, "you have
heard what I say ; I leave Mr. Scrymgeour in your charge ;
you will, I know, be careful of my friend."

Francis uttered some broken phrases of gratitude.

" It will be time enough to thank me," said the Prince,
" when you are acknowledged by your father and mar-
ried to Miss Vandeleur."

And with that the Prince turned away and strolled
leisurely in the direction of Montmartre. He hailed the
first passing cab, gave an address, and a quarter of an
hour afterwards, having discharged the driver some dis-
tance lower, he was knocking at Mr. Vandeleur's garden
gate.

It was opened with singular precautions by the Dic-
tator in person.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

"You must pardon me this late visit, Mr. Vandeleur,"
replied the Prince.

"Your Highness is always welcome," returned Mr.
Vandeleur, stepping back.

The Prince profited by the open space, and without
waiting for his host walked right into the house and
opened the door of the salon. Two people were seated
there ; one was Miss Vandeleur, who bore the marks of
weeping about her eyes, and was still shaken from time
to time by a sob ; in the other the Prince recognised the
young man who had consulted him on literary matters
about a month before, in a club smoking-room.

192



THE RAJAH'S DIAMOND

' ' Good evening, Miss Vandeleur, " said Florizel ; ' ' you
look fatigued. Mr. Rolles, I believe ? I hope you have
profited by the study of Gaboriau, Mr. Rolles."

But the young clergyman's temper was too much em-
bittered for speech; and he contented himself with bow-
ing stiffly, and continued to gnaw his lip.

"To what good wind," said Mr. Vandeleur, following
his guest, "am I to attribute the honour of your High-
ness's presence ? "

"I am come on business," returned the Prince; "on
business with you ; as soon as that is settled I shall re-
quest Mr. Rolles to accompany me for a walk. Mr.
Rolles," he added, with severity, "let me remind you
that I have not yet sat down."

The clergyman sprang to his feet with an apology;
whereupon the Prince took an arm-chair beside the table,
handed his hat to Mr. Vandeleur, his cane to Mr. Rolles,
and, leaving them standing and thus menially employed
upon his service, spoke as follows:

" I have come here, as I said, upon business; but, had
I come looking for pleasure, I could not have been more
displeased with my reception nor more dissatisfied with
my company. You, sir," addressing Mr. Rolles, "you
have treated your superior in station with discourtesy ;
you, Vandeleur, receive me with a smile, but you know
right well that your hands are not yet cleansed from
misconduct. I do not desire to be interrupted, sir," he
added imperiously; "I am here to speak, and not to
listen ; and I have to ask you to hear me with respect,
and to obey punctiliously. At the earliest possible date
your daughter shall be married at the Embassy to my
friend, Francis Scrymgeour, your brother's acknow-

'93



NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS

ledged son. You will oblige me by offering not less
than ten thousand pounds dowry. For yourself, I will
indicate to you in writing a mission of some importance
in Siam which I destine to your care. And now, sir,
you will answer me in two words whether or not you
agree to these conditions."

"Your Highness will pardon me," said Mr. Vande-
leur, "and permit me, with all respect, to submit to
him two queries ? "

" The permission is granted," replied the Prince.

"Your Highness," resumed the Dictator, "has called
Mr. Scrymgeour his friend. Believe me, had I known
that he was thus honoured, I should have treated him
with proportional respect."

"You interrogate adroitly," said the Prince; "but it
will not serve your turn. You have my commands ; if
I had never seen that gentleman before to-night, it would
not render them less absolute."

"Your Highness interprets my meaning with his
usual subtlety," returned Vandeleur. "Once more: I
have, unfortunately, put the police upon the track of Mr.
Scrymgeour on a charge of theft; am I to withdraw or
to uphold the accusation ?"

"You will please yourself," replied Florizel. "The
question is one between your conscience and the laws
of this land. Give me my hat; and you, Mr. Rolles, give
me my cane and follow me. Miss Vandeleur, I wish
you good evening. I judge," he added to Vandeleur,
" that your silence means unqualified assent."

" If I can do no better," replied the old man, " I shall
submit ; but I warn you openly it shall not be without a
struggle."

'94



THE RAJAH'S DIAMOND

" You are old," said the Prince; " but years are dis*
graceful to the wicked. Your age is more unwise than
the youth of others. Do not provoke me, or you may
find me harder than you dream. This is the first time
that I have fallen across your path in anger; take care
that it be the last."

With these words, motioning the clergyman to fol-
low, Florizel left the apartment and directed his steps
towards the garden-gate; and the Dictator, following
with a candle, gave them light, and once more undid the
elaborate fastenings with which he sought to protect
himself from intrusion.

"Your daughter is no longer present," said the Prince,
turning on the threshold. " Let me tell you that I un-
derstand your threats ; and you have only to 4ift your
hand to bring upon yourself sudden and irremediable
ruin."

The Dictator made no reply ; but as the Prince turned
his back upon him in the lamplight he made a gesture
full of menace and insane fury ; and the next moment,
slipping round a corner, he was running at full speed for
the nearest cab-stand.

(Here, says my Arabian, tbe thread of events is finally
diverted from THE HOUSE WITH THE GREEN BLINDS. One
more adventure, he adds, and we have done with THE
RAJAH'S DIAMOND. That hut link in- tbe chain h known
among the inhabitants of Bagdad by the name of THE
ADVENTURE OF PRINCE FLORIZEL AND THE DETECTIVE.)



95



ADVENTURE OF PRINCE FLORIZEL AND THE
DETECTIVE

PRINCE FLORIZEL walked with Mr. Rolles to the door
of a small hotel where the latter resided. They spoke
much together, and the clergyman was more than once
affected to tears by the mingled severity and tenderness
of Florizel's reproaches.

' ' I have made ruin of my life, " he said at last. ' ' Help
me ; tell me what I am to do ; I have, alas ! neither the
virtues of a priest nor the dexterity of a rogue."

"Now that you are humbled," said the Prince, "I
command no longer; the repentant have to do with God
and not with princes. But if you will let me advise you,
go to Australia as a colonist, seek menial labor in the open
air, and try to forget that you have ever been a clergy-
man, or that you ever set eyes on that accursed stone."

" Accurst indeed! " replied Mr. Rolles. " Where is it
now ? What further hurt is it not working for man-
kind?"

"It will do no more evil," returned the Prince. "It
is here in my pocket. And this, " he added, kindly, ' ' will
show that I place some faith in your penitence, young
as it is."

"Suffer me to touch your hand," pleaded Mr. Rolles.

"No," replied Prince Florizel, "not yet."
196



THE RAJAH'S DIAMOND

The tone in which he uttered these last words was
eloquent in the ears of the young clergyman; and for
some minutes after the Prince had turned away he stood
on the threshold following with his eyes the retreating
figure, and invoking the blessing of heaven upon a man
so excellent in counsel.

For several hours the Prince walked alone in unfre-
quented streets. His mind was full of concern ; what
to do with the diamond, whether to return it to its
owner, whom he judged unworthy of this rare posses-
sion, or to take some sweeping and courageous measure
and put it out of the reach of all mankind at once and
for ever was a problem too grave to be decided in a
moment. The manner in which it had come into his
hands appeared manifestly providential; and as he took
out the jewel and looked at it under the street lamps, its
size and surprising brilliancy inclined him more and more
to think of it as an unmixed and dangerous evil for the
world.

" God help me! " he thought; " if I look at it much
oftener I shall begin to grow covetous myself."

At last, though still uncertain in his mind, he turned
his steps towards the small but elegant mansion on the
riverside, which had belonged for centuries to his royal
family. The arms of Bohemia are deeply graved over
the door and upon the tall chimneys; passengers have a
look into a green court set with the most costly flowers,
and a stork, the only one in Paris, perches on the gable
all day long and keeps a crowd before the house. Grave
servants are seen passing to and fro within; and from
time to time the great gate is thrown open and a car-
riage rolls below the arch. For many reasons this resi-

197



NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS

dence was especially dear to the heart of Prince Florizel;
he never drew near to it without enjoying that senti-
ment of home-coming so rare in the lives of the great;
and on the present evening he beheld its tall roof and
mildly illuminated windows with unfeigned relief and
satisfaction.

As he was approaching the postern door by which he
always entered when alone, a man stepped forth from
the shadow and presented himself with an obeisance in
the Prince's path.

"I have the honour of addressing Prince Florizel of
Bohemia ? " said he.

"Such is my title," replied the Prince. "What do
you want with me ?"

"I am," said the man, "a detective, and I have to
present your Highness with this billet from the Prefect
of Police."

The Prince took the letter and glanced it through by
the light of the street lamp. It was highly apologetic,
but requested -him to follow the bearer to the Prefecture
without delay.

"In short," said Florizel, " I am arrested."

"Your Highness," replied the officer, " nothing, I am
certain, could be further from the intention of the Prefect.
You will observe that he has not granted a warrant.
It is mere formality, or call it, if you prefer, an obligation
that your Highness lays on the authorities."

"At the same time," asked the Prince, "if I were to
refuse to follow you ? "

"I will not conceal from your Highness that a con-
siderable discretion has been granted me," replied the
detective with a bow.

198



THE RAJAH'S DIAMOND

"Upon my word," cried Florizel, "your effrontery
confounds me! Yourself, as an agent, I must pardon;
but your superiors shall dearly smart for their miscon-
duct. What, have you any idea, is the cause of this
impolitic and unconstitutional act? You will observe
that I have as yet neither refused nor consented and
much may depend on your prompt and ingenuous an-
swer. Let me remind you, officer, that this is an affair
of some gravity."

"Your Highness," said the detective humbly, "Gen-
eral Vandeleur and his brother have had the incredible
presumption to accuse you of theft. The famous dia-
mond, they declare, is in your hands. A word from you
in denial will most amply satisfy the Prefect ; nay, I go
farther: if your Highness would so far honour a sub-
altern as to declare his ignorance of the matter even
to myself, I should ask permission to retire upon the
spot."

Florizel, up to the last moment, had regarded his
adventure in the light of a trifle, only serious upon inter-
national considerations. At the name of Vandeleur the
horrible truth broke upon him in a moment; he was not
only arrested, but he was guilty. This was not only an
annoying incident it was a peril to his honour. What
was he to say? What was he to do? The Rajah's
Diamond was indeed an accursed stone; and it seemed
as if he were to be the last victim to its influence.

One thing was certain. He could not give the re-
quired assurance to the detective. He must gain time.

His hesitation had not lasted a second.

" Be it so," said he, " let us walk together to the Pre-
fecture."

'99



NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS

The man once more bowed, and proceeded to follow
Florizel at a respectful distance in the rear.

"Approach," said the Prince. " I am in a humour to
talk, and, if I mistake not, now I look at you again, this
is not the first time that we have met."

" I count it an honour," replied the officer, "that your
Highness should recollect my face. It is eight years
since I had the pleasure of an interview."

"To remember faces," returned Florizel, "is as much
a part of my profession as it is of yours. Indeed, rightly
looked upon, a Prince and a detective serve in the same
corps. We are both combatants against crime; only
mine is the more lucrative and yours the more dangerous
rank, and there is a sense in which both may be made
equally honourable to a good man. I had rather, strange
as you may think it, be a detective of character and parts
than a weak and ignoble sovereign."

The officer was overwhelmed.

' ' Your Highness returns good for evil, " said he. ' ' To
an act of presumption he replies by the most amiable
condescension."

" How do you know," replied Florizel, "that I am
not seeking to corrupt you ?"

"Heaven preserve me from the temptation! " cried
the detective.

" I applaud your answer," returned the Prince. " It
is that of a wise and honest man. The world is a great
place, and stocked with wealth and beauty, and there
is no limit to the rewards that may be offered. Such an
one who would refuse a million of money may sell his
honour for an empire or the love of a woman ; and I my-
self, who speak to you, have seen occasions so tempt-



THE RAJAH'S DIAMOND

ing, provocations so irresistible to the strength of human
virtue, that I have been glad to tread in your steps and
recommend myself to the grace of God. It is thus,
thanks to that modest and becoming habit alone," he
added, "that you and I can walk this town together
with untarnished hearts."

"I had always heard that you were brave," replied
the officer, "but I was not aware that you were wise
and pious. You speak the truth, and you speak it with
an accent that moves me to the heart. This world is
indeed a place of trial."

"We are now," said Florizel, "in the middle of the
bridge. Lean your elbows on the parapet and look
over. As the water rushing below, so the passions and
complications of life carry away the honesty of weak
men. Let me tell you a story."

"I receive your Highness's commands," replied the
man.

And, imitating the Prince, he leaned against the par-
apet, and disposed himself to listen. The city was al-
ready sunk in slumber; had it not been for the infinity
of lights and the outline of buildings on the starry sky,
they might have been alone beside some country river.

"An officer," began Prince Florizel, "a man of cour-
age and conduct, who had already risen by merit to an
eminent rank, and won not only admiration but respect,
visited, in an unfortunate hour for his peace of mind, the
collections of an Indian Prince. Here he beheld a dia-
mond so extraordinary for size and beauty that from that
instant he had only one desire in life: honour, reputation,
friendship, the love of country, he was ready to sacrifice
all for this lump of sparkling crystal. For three years



NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS

he served this semi-barbarian potentate as Jacob served
Laban ; he falsified frontiers, he connived at murders, he
unjustly condemned and executed a brother-officer who
had the misfortune to displease the Rajah by some hon-
est freedoms ; lastly, at a time of great danger to his na-
tive land, he betrayed a body of his fellow-soldiers and
suffered them to be defeated and massacred by thou-
sands. In the end he had amassed a magnificent for-
tune, and brought home with him the coveted diamond.

" Years passed," continued the Prince, "and at length
the diamond is accidentally lost. It falls into the hands
of a simple and laborious youth, a student, a minister
of God, just entering on a career of usefulness and even
distinction. Upon him also the spell is cast; he deserts
everything, his holy calling, his studies, and flees with
the gem into a foreign country. The officer has a
brother, an astute, daring, unscrupulous man, who
learns the clergyman's secret. What does he de ? Tell
his brother, inform the police ? No ; upon this man also
the Satanic charm has fallen ; he must have the stone
for himself. At the risk of murder, he drugs the young
priest and seizes the prey. And now, by an accident
which is not important to my moral, the jewel passes
out of his custody into that of another, who, terrified at
what he sees, gives it into the keeping of a man in high
station and above reproach.

" The officer's name is Thomas Vandeleur," contin-
ued Florizel. "The stone is called the Rajah's Diamond.
And" suddenly opening his hand "you behold it
here before your eyes."

The officer started back with a cry.

"We have spoken of corruption," said the Prince.



THE RAJAH'S DIAMOND

"To me this nugget of bright crystal is as loathsome as
though it were crawling with the worms of death ; it is
as shocking as though it were compacted out of inno-
cent blood. I see it here in my hand, and 1 know it is
shining with hell-fire. I have told you but a hundredth
part of its story; what passed in former ages, to what
crimes and treacheries it incited men of yore, the imagi-
nation trembles to conceive; for years and years it has
faithfully served the powers of hell; enough, I say, of
blood, enough of disgrace, enough of broken lives and
friendships; all things come to an end, the evil like
the good; pestilence as well as beautiful music; and
as for this diamond, God forgive me if I do wrong, but
its empire ends to-night."

The Prince made a sudden movement with his hand,
and the jewel, describing an arc of light, dived with a
splash into the flowing river.

"Amen," said Florizel, with gravity. "I have slain
a cockatrice!"

"God pardon me!" cried the detective. "What
have you done? I am a ruined man."

"1 think," returned the Prince, with a smile, "that
many well-to-do people in this city might envy you
your ruin."

"Alas! your Highness!" said the officer, "and you
corrupt me after all ?"

" It seems there was no help for it," replied Florizel.
" And now let us go forward to the Prefecture."

Not long after, the marriage of Francis Scrymgeour
and Miss Vandeleur was celebrated in great privacy;
and the Prince acted on that occasion as groom's man.

203



NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS

The two Vandeleurs surprised some rumour of what had
happened to the diamond; and their vast diving opera-
tions on the River Seine are the wonder and amusement
of the idle. It is true that through some miscalculation
they have chosen the wrong branch of the river. As
for the Prince, that sublime person, having now served
his turn, may go, along with the Arabian Author, topsy-
turvy into space. But if the reader insists on more
specific information, I am happy to say that a recent
revolution hurled him from the throne of Bohemia, in
consequence of his continued absence and edifying neg-
lect of public business; and that his Highness now keeps
a cigar store in Rupert Street, much frequented by other
foreign refugees.

I go there from time to time to smoke and have a
chat, and find him as great a creature as in the days of
his prosperity; he has an Olympian air behind the coun-
ter; and although a sedentary life is beginning to tell
upon his waistcoat, he is probably, take him for all in
all, the handsomest tobacconist in London.