Modern Wonders of the World (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 Excerpt: ... stood calmly gazing at his accuser with a countenance, if not indicative of contempt, certainly of perfect indifference. Mustapha, with the spirit of a host who wished to keep good humour among his customers, then determined to play the peacemaker. He thought the better plan to screen Hassan from the anger of Achmet would be to give him indirectly a hint how to escape it. Stepping forward, he said--"Hassan, my brother, the anger of Achmet is perfectly natural, although doubtless you are undeserving of it. It has arisen from a fault of your own, for you forgot to say," he continued, looking significantly at Hassan the while, "that the head of the police was a powerful enchanter, and able to perform things far above the range of ordinary mortals." "I meant nothing of the kind, O Mustapha," said Hassan. "The chief of the police was no more an enchanter than Achmet is a conjuror, and no one who knows him, not even his bitterest enemies, would dare to bring forward against him an accusation of the kind. But there is this difference between the administration of the police in England and Bagdad. In England, men best suited for the work, of perfect integrity and great intelligence, are chosen, which is far from being the case in Persia. I am sorry to be obliged to make this statement, but I have no alternative. You have bound nee down to speak the truth, and I only obey your injunctions. Even I, with my wooden leg, from the short education I have had in England, would show ten times as much speed in carrying out the orders of the cadi, as Achmet would be able to do with his two whole ones, even with his slippers off." Hassan's answer, which was given with perfect coolness and self-possession, seemed to have a favourable eff...