We are now the Gilman Defense, Publicity, and Development Committee, and you will begin by introducing me to the man I am to bribe." "In this country you don't need any introduction to the man you want to bribe," exclaimed Stetson; "you just bribe him!" That same night in the smoking-room of the hotel, Peter and Stetson made their first move in the game of winning for Professor Gilman the Order of the Crescent.

Stetson presented Peter to a young effendi in a frock coat and fez.

Stetson called him Osman.

He was a clerk in the foreign office and appeared to be "a friend of a friend of a friend" of the assistant third secretary.
The five volumes of the "Rise and Fall" were spread before him, and Peter demanded to know why so distinguished a scholar as Doctor Gilman had not received some recognition from the country he had so sympathetically described.

Osman fingered the volumes doubtfully, and promised the matter should be brought at once to the attention of the grand vizier.
After he had departed Stetson explained that Osman had just as little chance of getting within speaking distance of the grand vizier as of the ladies of his harem.
"It's like Tammany," said Stetson; "there are sachems, district leaders, and lieutenants.