the hungry stones and other stories-第2章

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ket　at　Banch；　and　earned　thereby　Rs。　450　per　mensem　as　my　salary。　　I　laughed　in　great　glee　at　my　curious　illusion；　as　I　sat　over　the　newspaper　at　my　camp…table；　lighted　by　the　kerosene　lamp。

After　I　had　finished　my　paper　and　eaten　my　moghlai　dinner；　I　put　out　the　lamp；　and　lay　down　on　my　bed　in　a　small　side…room。　　Through　the　open　window　a　radiant　star；　high　above　the　Avalli　hills　skirted　by　the　darkness　of　their　woods；　was　gazing　intently　from　millions　and　millions　of　miles　away　in　the　sky　at　Mr。　Collector　lying　on　a　humble　camp…　bedstead。　　I　wondered　and　felt　amused　at　the　idea；　and　do　not　knew　when　I　fell　asleep　or　how　long　I　slept；　but　I　suddenly　awoke　with　a　start；　though　I　heard　no　sound　and　saw　no　intruderonly　the　steady　bright　star　on　the　hilltop　had　set；　and　the　dim　light　of　the　new　moon　was　stealthily　entering　the　room　through　the　open　window；　as　if　ashamed　of　its　intrusion。

I　saw　nobody；　but　felt　as　if　some　one　was　gently　pushing　me。　　As　I　awoke　she　said　not　a　word；　but　beckoned　me　with　her　five　fingers　bedecked　with　rings　to　follow　her　cautiously。　　I　got　up　noiselessly；　and；　though　not　a　soul　save　myself　was　there　in　the　countless　apartments　of　that　deserted　palace　with　its　slumbering　sounds　and　waiting　echoes；　I　feared　at　every　step　lest　any　one　should　wake　up。　　Most　of　the　rooms　of　the　palace　were　always　kept　closed；　and　I　had　never　entered　them。

I　followed　breathless　and　with　silent　steps　my　invisible　guideI　cannot　now　say　where。　　What　endless　dark　and　narrow　passages；　what　long　corridors；　what　silent　and　solemn　audience…chambers　and　close　secret　cells　I　crossed！

Though　I　could　not　see　my　fair　guide；　her　form　was　not　invisible　to　my　mind's　eye；　an　Arab　girl；　her　arms；　hard　and　smooth　as　marble；　visible　through　her　loose　sleeves；　a　thin　veil　falling　on　her　face　from　the　fringe　of　her　cap；　and　a　curved　dagger　at　her　waist！　　Methought　that　one　of　the　thousand　and　one　Arabian　Nights　had　been　wafted　to　me　from　the　world　of　romance；　and　that　at　the　dead　of　night　I　was　wending　my　way　through　the　dark　narrow　alleys　of　slumbering　Bagdad　to　a　　trysting…place　fraught　with　peril。

At　last　my　fair　guide　stopped　abruptly　before　a　deep　blue　screen；　and　seemed　to　point　to　something　below。　　There　was　nothing　there；　but　a　sudden　dread　froze　the　blood　in　my　heart…methought　I　saw　there　on　the　floor　at　the　foot　of　the　screen　a　terrible　negro　eunuch　dressed　in　rich　brocade；　sitting　and　dozing　with　outstretched　legs；　with　a　naked　sword　on　his　lap。　　My　fair　guide　lightly　tripped　over　his　legs　and　held　up　a　fringe　of　the　screen。　　I　could　catch　a　glimpse　of　a　part　of　the　room　spread　with　a　Persian　carpetsome　one　was　sitting　inside　on　a　bedI　could　not　see　her；　but　only　caught　a　glimpse　of　two　exquisite　feet　in　gold…embroidered　slippers；　hanging　out　from　loose　saffron…coloured　paijamas　and　placed　idly　on　the　orange…coloured　velvet　carpet。　　On　one　side　there　was　a　bluish　crystal　tray　on　which　a　few　apples；　pears；　oranges；　and　bunches　of　grapes　in　plenty；　two　small　cups　and　a　gold…　tinted　decanter　were　evidently　waiting　the　guest。　　A　fragrant　intoxicating　vapour；　issuing　from　a　strange　sort　of　incense　that　burned　within；　almost　overpowered　my　senses。

As　with　trembling　heart　I　made　an　attempt　to　step　across　the　outstretched　legs　of　the　eunuch；　he　woke　up　suddenly　with　a　start；　and　the　sword　fell　from　his　lap　with　a　sharp　clang　on　the　marble　floor。　　A　terrific　scream　made　me　jump；　and　I　saw　I　was　sitting　on　that　camp…　bedstead　of　mine　sweating　heavily；　and　the　crescent　moon　looked　pale　in　the　morning　light　like　a　weary　sleepless　patient　at　dawn；　and　our　crazy　Meher　Ali　was　crying　out；　as　is　his　daily　custom；　〃Stand　back！　　Stand　back！！〃　while　he　went　along　the　lonely　road。

Such　was　the　abrupt　close　of　one　of　my　Arabian　Nights；　but　there　were　yet　a　thousand　nights　left。

Then　followed　a　great　discord　between　my　days　and　nights。　　During　the　day　I　would　go　to　my　work　worn　and　tired；　cursing　the　bewitching　night　and　her　empty　dreams；　but　as　night　came　my　daily　life　with　its　bonds　and　shackles　of　work　would　appear　a　petty；　false；　ludicrous　vanity。

After　nightfall　I　was　caught　and　overwhelmed　in　the　snare　of　a　strange　intoxication；　I　would　then　be　transformed　into　some　unknown　personage　of　a　bygone　age；　playing　my　part　in　unwritten　history；　and　my　short　English　coat　and　tight　breeches　did　not　suit　me　in　the　least。　　With　a　red　velvet　cap　on　my　head；　loose　paijamas；　an　embroidered　vest；　a　long　flowing　silk　gown；　and　coloured　handkerchiefs　scented　with　attar；　I　would　complete　my　elaborate　toilet；　sit　on　a　high…cushioned　chair；　and　replace　my　cigarette　with　a　many…coiled　narghileh　filled　with　rose…water；　as　if　in　eager　expectation　of　a　strange　meeting　with　the　beloved　one。

I　have　no　power　to　describe　the　marvellous　incidents　that　unfolded　themselves；　as　the　gloom　of　the　night　deepened。　　I　felt　as　if　in　the　curious　apartments　of　that　vast　edifice　the　fragments　of　a　beautiful　story；　which　I　could　follow　for　some　distance；　but　of　which　I　could　never　see　the　end；　flew　about　in　a　sudden　gust　of　the　vernal　breeze。　And　all　the　same　I　would　wander　from　room　to　room　in　pursuit　of　them　the　whole　night　long。

Amid　the　eddy　of　these　dream…fragments；　amid　the　smell　of　henna　and　the　twanging　of　the　guitar；　amid　the　waves　of　air　charged　with　fragrant　spray；　I　would　catch　like　a　flash　of　lightning　the　momentary　glimpse　of　a　fair　damsel。　　She　it　was　who　had　saffron…coloured　paijamas；　white　ruddy　soft　feet　in　gold…embroidered　slippers　with　curved　toes；　a　close…　fitting　bodice　wrought　with　gold；　a　red　cap；　from　which　a　golden　frill　fell　on　her　snowy　brow　and　cheeks。

She　had　maddened　me。　　In　pursuit　of　her　I　wandered　from　room　to　room；　from　path　to　path　among　the　bewildering　maze　of　alleys　in　the　enchanted　dreamland　of　the　nether　world　of　sleep。

Sometimes　in　the　evening；　while　arraying　myself　carefully　as　a　prince　of　the　blood…royal　before　a　large　mirror；　with　a　candle　burning　on　either　side；　I　would　see　a　sudden　reflection　of　the　Persian　beauty　by　the　side　of　my　own。　　A　swift　turn　of　her　neck；　a　quick　eager　glance　of　intense　passion　and　pain　glowing　in　her　large　dark　eyes；　just　a　suspicion　of　speech　on　her　dainty　red　lips；　her　figure；　fair　and　slim　crowned　with　youth　like　a　blossoming　creeper；　quickly　uplifted　in　her　graceful　tilting　gait；　a　dazzling　flash　of　pain　and　craving　and　ecstasy；　a　smile　and　a　glance　and　a　blaze　of　jewels　and　silk；　and　she　melted　away。　　A　wild　glist　of　wind；　laden　with　all　the　fragrance　of　hills　and　woods；　would　put　out　my　light；　and　I　would　fling　aside　my　dress　and　lie　down　on　my　bed；　my　eyes　closed　and　my　body　thrilling　with　delight；　and　there　around　me　in　the　breeze；　amid　all　the　perfume　of　the　woods　and　hills；　floated　through　the　silent　gloom　many　a　caress　and　many　a　kiss　and　many　a　tender　touch　of　hands；　and　gentle　murmurs　in　my　ears；　and　fragrant　breaths　on　my　brow；　or　a　sweetly…perfumed　kerchief　was　wafted　again　and　again　on　my　cheeks。　　Then　slowly　a　mysterious　serpent　would　twist　her　stupefying　coils　about　me；　and　heaving　a　heavy　sigh；　I　would　lapse　into　insensibility；　and　then　into　a　profound　slumber。

One　evening　I　decided　to　go　out　on　my　horseI　do　not　know　who　implored　me　to　stay…but　I　would　listen　to　no　entreaties　that　day。　　My　English　hat　and　coat　were　resting　on　a　rack；　and　I　was　about　to　take　them　down　when　a　sudden　whirlwind；　crested　with　the　sands　of　the　Susta　and　the　dead　leaves　of　the　Avalli　hills；　caught　them　up；　and　whirled　them　round　and　round；　while　a　loud　peal　of　merry　laughter　rose　higher　and　higher；　striking　all　the　chords　of　mirth　till　it　died　away　in　the　land　of　sunset。

I　could　not　go　out　for　my　ride；　and　the　next　day　I　gave　up　my　queer　English　coat　and　hat　for　good。

That　day　again　at　dead　of　night　I　heard　the　stifled　heart…breaking　sobs　of　some　oneas　if　below　the　bed；　below　the　floor；　below　the　stony　foundation　of　that　gigantic　palace；　from　the　depths　of　a　dark　damp　grave；　a　voice　piteously　cried　and　implored　me：　〃Oh；　rescue　me！　　Break　through　these　doors　of　hard　illusion；　deathlike　slumber　and　fruitless　dreams；　place　by　your　side　on　the　saddle；　press　me　to　your　heart；　and；　riding　through　hills　and　woods　and　across　the　river；　take　me　to　the　warm　radiance　of　your　sunny　rooms　above！〃

Who　am　I？　　Oh；　how　can　I　rescue　thee？　　What　drowning　beauty；　what　incarnate　passion　shall　I　drag　to　the　shore　from　this　wild　eddy　of　dreams？　　O　lovely　ethereal　apparition！　　Where　didst　thou　flourish　and　when？〃　　By　what　cool　spring；　under　the　shade　of　what　date…groves；　wast　thou　bornin　the　lap　of　what　homeless　wanderer　in　the　desert？　　What　Bedouin　snatched　thee　from　thy　mother's　arms；　an　opening　bud　plucked　from　a　wild　creeper；　placed　thee　on　a　horse　swift　as　lightning；　crossed　the　burning　sands；　and　took　thee　to　the　slave…market　of　what　royal　city？　And　there；　what　officer　of　the　Badshah；　seeing　the　glory　of　thy　bashful　blossoming　youth；　paid　for　thee　in　gold；　placed　thee　in　a　golden　palanquin；　and　offered　thee　as　a　present　for　the　seraglio　of　his　master？　And　O；　the　history　of　that　place！　　The　music　of　the　sareng；　the　jingle　of　anklets；　the　occasional　flash　of　daggers　and　the　glowing　wine　of　Shiraz　poison；　and　the　piercing　flashing　glance！　　What　infinite　grandeur；　what　endless　　servitude！

The　slave…girls　to　thy　right　and　left　waved　the　chamar　as　diamonds　flashed　from　their　bracelets；　the　Badshah；　the　king　of　kings；　fell　on　his　knees　at　thy　snowy　feet　in　bejewelled　shoes；　and　outside　the　terrible　Abyssinian　eunuch；　looking　like　a　messenger　of　death；　but　clothed　like　an　angel；　stood　with　a　naked　sword　in　his　hand！　　Then；　O；　thou　flower　of　the　desert；　swept　away　by　the　blood…stained　dazzling　ocean　of　grandeur；　with　its　foam　of　jealousy；　its　rocks　and　shoals　of　intrigue；　on　what　shore　of　cruel　death　wast　thou　cast；　or　in　what　other　land　more　splendid　and　more　cruel？

Suddenly　at　this　moment　that　crazy　Meher　Ali　screamed　out：　〃Stand　back！　Stand　back！！　　All　is　false！　　All　is　false！！〃　　I　opened　my　eyes　and　saw　that　it　was　already　light。　　My　chaprasi　came　and　handed　me　my　letters；　and　the　cook　waited　with　a　salam　for　my　orders。

I　said；　〃No；　I　can　stay　here　no　longer。〃　　That　very　day　I　packed　up；　and　moved　to　my　office。　　Old　Karim　Khan　smiled　a　little　as　he　saw　me。　　I　felt　nettled；　but　said　nothing；　and　fell　to　my　work。

As　evening　approached　I　grew　absent…minded；　I　felt　as　if　I　had　an　appointment　to　keep；　and　the　work　of　examining　the　cotton　accounts　seemed　wholly　useless；　even　the　Nizamat　of　the　Nizam　did　not　appear　to　be　of　much　worth。　　Whatever　belonged　to　the　present；　whatever　was　moving　and　acting　and　working　for　bread　seemed　trivial；　meaningless；　and　contemptible。

I　threw　my　pen　down；　closed　my　ledgers；　got　into　my　dog…cart；　and　drove　away。　　I　noticed　that　it　stopped　of　itself　at　the　gate　of　the　marble　palace　just　at　the　hour　of　twilight。　　With　quick　steps　I　climbed　the　stairs；　and　entered　the　room。

A　heavy　silence　was　reigning　within。　　The　dark　rooms　were　looking　sullen　as　if　they　had　taken　offence。　　My　heart　was　full　of　contrition；　but　there　was　no　one　to　whom　I　could　lay　it　bare；　or　of　whom　I　could　ask　forgiveness。　　I　wandered　about　the　dark　rooms　with　a　vacant　mind。　　I　wished　I　had　a　guitar　to　which　I　could　sing　to　the　unknown：　　〃O　fire；　the　poor　moth　that　made　a　vain　effort　to　fly　away　has　come　ba