in Rome behaved with regard to the pagan festivities and
superstitions--adapting them, as far as was possible, to the new
religion, grafting on such things as the people would not or could not
renounce. The wisdom of the custom was obvious. The new converts, who
believed in one God Whose Prophet had come to knock down all graven
images in the temples, were still allowed the protection and comfort of
their personal amulets, which were powerful enough to protect them from
every evil imaginable, or to bring them all the blessings their simple
souls desired. Arab workmen, who believe that Allah wills all things,
that whatsoever happens, it is his purpose, will flock round any
soothsayer who professes to see into the future and do the most absurd
things conceivable to keep off the evil eye. The eye of Horus is still
their favourite amulet.

"Abdul professes to tell fortunes and see into the future. They do
sometimes manage to hit off some wonderfully clever guesses," Freddy
said. "Abdul has been curiously correct in a number of things he has
foretold relating to this bit of work."

"What did he tell you about this excavation?"

"He didn't tell me--I overheard the workmen's chatter. He has worked
them up to a pitch of absurd excitement."

"What sort of things has he foretold? Good or bad? What things have
come true?"

"I forget the small points now. I really can't tell you. He predicts
all sorts of extravagant things about the inside of the tomb, says he
has seen visions of a wonderful figure of a queen, dressed as if for
her bridal, and the place all glittering with gold and precious
stones--the most superb tomb that has ever been opened."

"Oh!" Meg said excitedly. "I wonder if it will be?--if there will be
any truth in it?"

"Tommy-rot!" Freddy said. "But the excitement's spread--the men are
working like mad--never did so much good work before."

"May I talk to Abdul? I'd love to have my future told!"

"I'd rather you didn't--at least, I would rather the other workmen
didn't know he had spoken to you. I don't like them to imagine that we
believe in such things."

"Very well," Meg said. "I see what you mean."

"You are never wise to let the natives lose their respect for your
disdain of spooks and superstitions. I never scoff at their fears and
beliefs in every sort of imaginable supernatural power, but I like them
to think that my religion places me above such terrors. We pray to our
Christ