red in an evil manner at the bystanders, and then, lifting
an incredible length of upper lip, set his yellow teeth in the nearest
shoulder. It was the shoulder of the noble sheik, who instantly rent the
air with a plaintive cry: "For the love of Mike!--keep that man-eater
off'n me, can't you?"

His accent had not been that of the Arabian waste-land. Merton Gill was
disappointed. So the fellow was only an actor, after all. If he had felt
sympathy at all, it would now have been for the camel. The beast
was jerked back with profane words and the sheik, rubbing his bitten
shoulder, entered the cafe, sitting cross-legged at the end of the divan
nearest the door.

"All right, Bob." The assistant director handed him the tube of the
water pipe, and the sheik smoked with every sign of enjoyment. Merton
Gill resolved never to play the part of an Arab sheik--at the mercy of
man-eating camels and having to smoke something that looked murderous.

Under Henshaw's direction the grizzled proprietor now served tiny cups
of coffee to the sheik and his lesser patrons. Two of these played
dominoes, and one or two reclined as in sleep. Cameras were brought up.
The interior being to his satisfaction, Henshaw rehearsed the entrance
of a little band of European tourists. A beautiful girl in sports garb,
a beautiful young man in khaki and puttees, a fine old British father
with gray side whiskers shaded by a sun-hat with a flowing veil twined
about it. These people sat and were served coffee, staring in a tourist
manner at their novel surroundings. The Bedouins, under stern command,
ignored them, conversing among themselves over their coffee--all but the
sheik.

The sheik had been instantly struck by the fair young English girl. His
sinister eyes hung constantly upon her, shifting only when she regarded
him, furtively returning when she ceased. When they left the cafe, the
sheik arose and placed himself partly in the girl's way. She paused
while his dark eyes caught and held hers. A long moment went before she
seemed able to free herself from the hypnotic tension he put upon her.
Then he bowed low, and the girl with a nervous laugh passed him.

It could be seen that the sheik meant her no good. He stepped to the
door and looked after the group. There was evil purpose in his gaze.

Merton Gill recalled something of Henshaw's words the first day he had
eaten at the cafeteria: "They find this deserted tomb just at nightfall,
and he's alone t