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Rh pean Ottomans, no doubt. They are not content with interfering with us in the streets of Constantinople, but they must inconvenience us in the Crimea!"

"Who is this man, this Turk?" he continued, after a pause.

"His name is Seigneur Saffar; that's all I know about him," replied the post-master quietly.

"Why did you permit Seigneur Saffar to take all the horses?" asked Kéraban with contempt.

"Because the traveller arrived here twelve hours before you, and as the horses were available I had no reason for refusing them to him."

"You ought to have done so—"

"Ought to have done so?" echoed the post-master.

"Yes, certainly, when I was on the road hither," replied Kéraban.

Now what could one reply to such arguments? Van Mitten endeavoured to interpose, but was only snapped up by his friend. As for the post-master, he only gazed at Kéraban with a contemptuous expression, and turned away to enter the house. But Kéraban stopped him by saying, "After all, it does not matter whether you have horses or not; we must proceed at once."

"Proceed at once! Have I not told you I have no horses?" replied the post-master.

"We'll find some."

"There are none in Arabat."

"Find a pair—find one," replied Kéraban, who began to lose his self-control; "find half a one, but find something."

"But if there are no horses—" began Van Mitten gently.

"There must be some found."

"Perhaps you can procure for us a team of mules?" said Ahmet to the post-master.

"Very well, mules will do," said Kéraban. "We will be content with mules."

"I have never seen any mules in the province," replied the post-master.

"He has seen one to-day," whispered Bruno to Van Mitten, as he indicated Kéraban; "and a fine one too."