sy? Has the flesh not tempted you?"

Michael bent his head.

"For many weeks a friend has been very close to you. She is in the way
of truth. Hold fast to her. There are others who I see in darkness."

"Yes," Michael said. "That is all true. You have seen clearly."

"You will leave those you care for most, my son, and go on a journey
into a new country across the river. It is all His purpose; it is all
a part of the Guiding Hand, the Ruling Power."

Michael remained lost in thought. That the old African loved him as a
son he had no doubt. He knew that his ardent desire was that he should
be the means of converting him to the true faith. He knew that the
little help which he had once been able to give him had won his undying
gratitude. This strange creature, who had only entered upon his
university career after his hair had become white and his body worn to
a shadow, had earned Michael's respect and veneration. He was
conscious of the fact that, devout Moslem as the recluse was, he did
not look upon all Christians as heretics and unclean. Long ago Michael
and he had exchanged thoughts on their conceptions of God. The pious
Moslem had come to the conclusion that but for his lack of a proper
understanding of the Koran and of the Prophet's relation to God,
Michael was at heart a Mohammedan. He worshipped the one and only God
Whom the Prophet had come to reveal. Michael believed in Christ just
as he himself believed in Him, as one of God's Messengers, as one of
God's Methods of manifesting Himself to mankind.

He had no hesitation in speaking to Michael or in reciting passages
from the Holy Book in his presence. Daily he prayed that he might
embrace the faith of Islam. It was his love for him and his gratitude
which made him eager for this happiness to be bestowed upon his
benefactor.

For a long time Michael remained with his old friend, who was glad to
learn from him many things which could never have reached his ears from
any other source. He lived as a hermit and a recluse inside his little
cell, which was lost in the vast dimensions of the Mosque of el-Azhar.
As he was lost to the world, so was he surrounded by things of the
spirit.

It was late in the afternoon when at last Michael said good-bye and the
aged student locked himself into his cell. His adieu was lengthy and
beautiful and expressed in the true Moslem fashion. This ardent
Englishman was as dear to him as a son. He had no sons