In the secret vault, the entrance to which had been
confided by Mourad Bey to his wife on his deathbed, Sitta Nefysseh's
treasure now lay in security.
No one in the house knew of this vault; Sitta Nefysseh had confided
it to the kachef Youssouf only, and they two had conveyed all her
valuables to this hiding place.
When all was completed, and the Sitta had retired to her apartments,
Youssouf announced himself, and, upon being admitted, stepped humbly
forward, fell on his knees, and handed her the keys.
She looked at him in surprise. "What does this mean? What do you
bring me?"
"The keys to the vault. This one opens the inner, and the other the
outer door."
"You will keep them for me, Youssouf," said his mistress, inclining
her beautiful head.
"You confide them to me," said he, his countenance radiant with
delight. "You wish to confide to your slave the keys to your
treasure?"
"Does that surprise you?" asked she, gently. "I know I can safely
confide to the kachef of my deceased husband all that I have and
possess. You will keep the keys; and listen, Youssouf, should I die-
-"
"Die!" he exclaimed, with a cry which he found it impossible to
repress. "Die!--you, Sitta Nefysseh?"
"I am mortal, as we all are, as great Mourad was!" said she,
gravely. "If I should die, you will take these keys to Osman Bey
Bardissi, and tell him that Sitta Nefysseh sends them to him, and
that in the vault here are souvenirs for her friends.
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