I told him that I was, and that I was deeply grieved to hear of the trouble that Shin Shira was in, and that I felt convinced that there was some mistake in the matter which could somehow or other be cleared up.

“I should be very glad to think so,” said the Consul, shaking his head, “but I fear it is hopeless.  You see, the stone—­an almost priceless diamond—­was actually found in his possession.  But come, you will be anxious to see your friend as soon as possible.  I will come with you to the prison and see that you are admitted.”

The kind-hearted official called his carriage, and together we drove through the unfamiliar narrow streets to the dismal-looking building in which my poor friend was confined.

A brief consultation with the authorities and the signing of various papers made me free to enter the prison, and having thanked the Consul for his kind offices, I was led away by one of the officials to a terribly dark dungeon, in which, crouched in a corner, I found my poor friend Shin Shira, looking the picture of misery.

His face lit up with a smile of hope, however, when he saw me, and his whole aspect changed.

“My friend! my deliverer!” he cried, using all kinds of extravagant Oriental phrases to express his delight at seeing me.  “Ah! at last you have come, and I shall be saved!  May all the blessings of Allah be on your head!”

The official withdrew, locking the door carefully behind him, having first given me to understand by various signs that he would return for me in about half-an-hour.

“Well, now,” I inquired, when we were alone, “what is this terrible trouble which has brought you here?  What have you been doing?”

“Nothing!” declared Shin Shira solemnly.  “Nothing whatever to merit this punishment.  It is all a horrible mistake.  Let me begin at the beginning.  About two months ago, after a series of my usual adventures, I suddenly appeared here in Baghdad.  Now I have been acquainted with the city for many, many years—­in fact, ever since the time of Sinbad the Sailor, whom I knew quite well, and with whom I was at one time very friendly.  Well, I have many times appeared here since then, and on each occasion I have taken a great interest in the place on account of old associations.  I have made many friends here, too; so when I found myself here once more I was greatly delighted, and was making my way to the Bazaar, where I knew I should be sure to find some acquaintances, when greatly to my surprise I saw several passers-by stop and stare at me curiously and then, whispering amongst themselves, follow me at some distance behind.

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“It could not be my clothing which was attracting all this attention, for it was more or less of the same pattern to which they were accustomed.  I caught sight of myself in a polished steel mirror in one of the shops in the Bazaar, and stole a glance at myself, but could see nothing wrong.  What could be the cause?  I had not long to wait, however, before I found out to my cost what was wrong.