dilapidated markoob--or slipper of morocco leather that had once
been red.

"Our latest acquisition, gentlemen," said Mr. Mostyn, the curator,
speaking in a low tone to the distinguished Oriental scholars
around him. "It has been left to the Institution by the late
Professor Deeping. He describes it in a document furnished by his
solicitor as one of the slippers worn by the Prophet Mohammed, but
gives us no further particulars. I myself cannot quite place the
relic."

"Nor I," interrupted one of the group. "It is not mentioned by
any of the Arabian historians to my knowledge--that is, if it
comes from Mecca, as I understand it does."

"I cannot possibly assert that it comes from Mecca, Dr. Nicholson,"
Mostyn replied. "The Professor may have taken it from Al-Madinah
--perhaps from the mysterious inner passage of the baldaquin where
the treasures of the place lie. But I can assure you that what
little we do know of its history is sufficiently unsavoury."

I fancied that the curator's tired cultured voice faltered as he
spoke; and now, without apparent reason, he moved a step to the
right and glanced oddly along the room. I followed the direction
of his glance, and saw a tall man in conventional morning dress,
irreproachable in every detail, whose head was instantly bent upon
his catalogue. But before his eyes fell I knew that their long
almond shape, as well as the peculiar burnt pallor of his
countenance, were undoubtedly those of an Oriental.