Paul Patoff | Page 9

eyes of the veiled lady.
"Pek güzel,--very pretty indeed," he said aloud, using the only words of
Turkish he had learned in three weeks. But they were enough; the effect
was instantaneous. Without a word and without hesitation, the tall
negro struck a violent blow at Alexander with the light bamboo he
carried. Paul, who was immediately behind his brother, saw the action
and caught the man's hand in the air, but the end of the flexible cane
flew down and knocked Alexander's hat from his head.
"Run!" cried Paul excitedly, as the negro struggled in his grip.
The two Turkish ladies laughed aloud. They were used to such
adventures, but the spectacle of the negro beating a Frank gentleman
was novel and refreshing. Alexander picked up his hat, but showed no
disposition to move. The African struggled vainly in Paul's powerful
arms.
"Go, I say!" cried the latter authoritatively. "There will be trouble if any
one comes."
But Alexander had received a blow, and his blood was up. Moreover,
he was a Russian, and utterly regardless of consequences,--or perhaps
he only wanted to annoy his brother by a show of violence.
"I think I will shoot him," he said, quietly producing a small revolver
from his pocket.
At the sight of the weapon, the two ladies, who, on seeing the fight
prolonged, had retired a few paces up the path, began to scream loudly
for help. The negro, who was proof against blows and would not have
shown much fear at the sight of a knife, fell on his knees, crying aloud
for mercy. Thereupon Paul released him and bid him go.

"For God's sake, Alexander, do not make a fool of yourself!" he said
coldly, walking up to his brother. But he turned once more to the black
attendant, and added quietly in Turkish, "You had better go. We both
have pistols."
The negro did not wait, but sprang back and flew towards the two
ladies, speaking excitedly, and imploring them to make haste. The two
brothers made their way quickly down the path, Paul pushing
Alexander before him.
"You have done it now. You will have to leave Constantinople
to-morrow," he said, sternly. "You cannot play these tricks here."
"Bah!" returned Alexander, "it is of no consequence. They do not know
who we are."
"They have not seen us coming out of our embassy half a dozen times
without knowing where to look for us. There will be a complaint made
within two hours, and there will be trouble. The law protects them.
These fellows are authorized to strike anybody who speaks to the
women they have in charge, or who even goes too near them. Be quick!
We must get back to the quay before there is any alarm raised."
Alexander knew that his brother Paul was no coward, and, being
thoroughly convinced of the danger, he quickened his walk. In twenty
minutes they reached Mesar Burnu, and in five minutes more they were
within the gates of the embassy. The huge Cossack who stood by the
entrance saluted them gravely, and Paul drew a long breath of relief as
he entered the pretty pavilion in the garden in which he had his quarters.
Alexander threw himself upon a low divan, and laughed with true
Russian indifference. Paul pretended not to notice him, but silently took
up the local French paper, which came every evening, and began to
read.
"You are excellent company, upon my word!" exclaimed Alexander,
irritated at his brother's coldness. Paul laid down the paper, and stared
at him with his hard blue eyes.

"Alexander, you are a fool," he said coolly.
"Look here," said the other, suddenly losing his temper, and rising to
his feet, "I will not submit to this sort of language."
"Then do not expose yourself to it. Are you aware that you do me very
serious injury by your escapades?"
"Escapades indeed!" cried Alexander indignantly. "As if there were any
harm in telling a woman she is pretty!"
"You will probably have occasion to hear what the chief thinks of it
before long," retorted his brother. "There will be a complaint. It will get
to the palace, and the result will be that I shall be sent to another post,
with a black mark in the service. Do you call that a joke? It is very well
for you, a rich officer in the guards, taking a turn in the East by way of
recreation. You will go back to Petersburg and tell the story and enjoy
the laugh. I may be sent to China or Japan for three or four years, in
consequence."
"Bah!" ejaculated the soldier, sitting down on the divan. "I do not
believe it. You are an old woman. You are always afraid of injuring
your