250 ANTIQUARIAN PREPARATIONS [CHAP. xv.
caused damage of all kinds. So the saddler, blacksmith, and tailor were kept busy under my eyes. Vendors of antiques, bringing seals, coins, old pottery, and similar small objects, mostly from Yotkan, frequently presented themselves. But of the " old books " none were offered. It seemed as if the particular " treasure-seeker " to whom I had reason to trace
them, credited me with a more inquisitorial turn of mind than was convenient for him—and his factory.
But my days at Khotan were taken up not only with these avocations. There had been since I returned an increasing rush of people seeking benefit from my medicine case. Patients from among the local Begs and the Chinese officials could not be denied, and though my " Tabloids " could scarcely effect the wonderful cures expected by these visitors,
IIIF Color HighRes
