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126 126 THE KING OF SCHNORRERS.

cod, vainly strove to utter the order for the beggar's expul- sion.

" Don't stare at me, Gomez," Manasseh cried imperiously. " Can't you see the President wants a glass of water? "

The beadle darted a glance at the President, and, per- ceiving his condition, rushed out again to get the water.

This was the last straw. To see his authority usurped as well as his seat maddened the poor President. For some seconds he strove to mouth an oath, embracing his supine Councillors as well as this beggar on horseback, but he pro- duced only an inarticulate raucous cry, and reeled sideways. Manasseh sprang from his chair and caught the falling form in his arms. For one terrible moment he stood supporting it in a tense silence, broken only by the incoherent murmurs of the unconscious lips ; then crying angrily, " Bestir your- selves, gentlemen, don't you see the President is ill?" he dragged his burden towards the table, and, aided by the panic-stricken Councillors, laid it flat thereupon, and threw open the ruffled shirt. He swept the Minute Book to the floor with an almost malicious movement, to make room for the President.

The beadle returned with the glass of water, which he well-nigh dropped.

" Run for a physician," Manasseh commanded, and throw- ing away the water carelessly, in the Chancellor's direction, he asked if anyone had any brandy. There was no response.

" Come, come, Mr. Chancellor," he said, " bring out your phial." And the abashed functionary obeyed.

"Has any of you his equipage without?" Manasseh demanded next of the Mahamad.

They had not, so Manasseh despatched the Chief of the Elders in quest of a sedan chair. Then there was nothing left but to await the physician.