the foreign physician prevented their being carried to a successful issue. 
Thus Agahr, appearing again at the entrance, beckoned with imperative gesture the Persian to join him; and, after a careful inspection of his patient, lying peaceful and unconscious, the physician obeyed. 
Together they paced up and down the deserted marble passage, the Persian’s quick eye never leaving the entrance to the khan’s chamber, while Agahr plied him with eager questions concerning his master’s condition. 
“He will live until his son, the Prince Ahmed, arrives,” said the other, calmly. “He will remain unconscious, but he will live.” 
“And then?” asked the vizier, anxiously. 
“Then I will awaken him. He will have full command of all his faculties for a brief period--and then he will pass away quickly.” 
Agahr sighed. 
“Is it not possible for him to pass away during this stupor?” he enquired. 
“Yes, it is possible,” answered the Persian. “But I believe I can prevent that. My task requires constant vigilance: that is why I dare not leave the Khan’s chamber.” 
“I will send a man to relieve you,” said the vizier. “You can instruct him in his duties and he will be faithful.” 
“No,” returned the Persian. 
An awkward silence followed. Then Agahr stopped suddenly and said: 
“I will be frank with you. The son of Burah Khan is not the rightful heir to the throne of Mekran. It is the exiled Prince Kasam, from whose grandsire Keedar Khan by right of sword wrested all Baluchistan. Therefore it is best for the country that Burah does not live until his son arrives.” 
He paused, wiping the perspiration from his brow and glancing half fearfully into the grave face of the physician. The latter nodded. 
“I understand,” said he. 
Agahr became reassured. 
“The ancestors of Prince Kasam,” he continued, earnestly, “ruled the land for nine generations. Then the Baluchi rebelled and put their Headsman, the fierce Keedar Khan, upon the throne his own brother was forced to vacate. I being at the time vizier, remained Keedar’s vizier, as I have remained vizier to his son. By means of wars and bloodshed these terrible men have for forty-six years dominated all Baluchistan. It is now time, in the interest of justice and humanity, that the rightful heir should recover the throne.” 
“Did not Prince Kasam’s ancestors conquer this country with the aid of the Afghans, and put to death every member of the then reigning family?” asked the Persian. 
“It is a matter of history,” said Agahr, proudly. “They were my ancestors, these bold conquerors, as well as the ancestors of Prince Kasam.” 
“Yet Keedar Khan made you his vizier, and his son retained you?” 
“Yes; and I have been faithful.” 
“But now, it seems to me, you are speaking treason,” said the physician. 
“Not so,” declared the vizier, indignantly. 

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