ders when I
did not answer, tossed a question or two to Suliman, shrugged
again and tore the letter open. Then his face changed, and he
glanced to right and left of him as if afraid of being seen. He
stuffed the letter into his tunic pocket and I went back to the
corner by the front door.

Yussuf was pottering about, still rearranging all the pots and
furniture that I had scattered, but his big ears projected
sidewise and suggested that he might have another motive.
However, it was a simple matter to evade his curiosity by talking
French, and Noureddin All could contain himself no longer.

"Pardon me, sir? Staff-Captain Ali Mirza?"

Grim nodded suspiciously.

"I have heard of you. We have all heard of you. We are proud to
see you in Jerusalem. We wish all success to your efforts on
behalf of Mustapha Kemal, the great Turkish Nationalist leader.
Our prayer is that he may light such a fire in Anatolia as shall
spread in one vast conflagration throughout the East!"

"Who are you?" asked Grim suspiciously. (Evidently the real Ali
Mirza had a reputation for gruff manners.)

"Noureddin Ali Bey. It may be you have heard of me. I am not
without friends in Damascus."

"Oh, are you Noureddin Ali?" Grim's attitude thawed appreciably.
"We have been looking for more action and less talk from you. I
made an excuse to visit Jerusalem and discover how much fire
there is under this smoke of boasting."

"Fire! Ha-ha! That is the right word! There is a camouflage of
talk, but under it--Aha! You shall see!"

"Or is that more talk?"

"We are not all talkers. Wait and see!"

"Oh, more waiting? Has Mustapha Kemal Pasha waited in Anatolia?
Has he not set you all an example of deeds without words? Am I
to wait here indefinitely in Jerusalem to take him news of deeds
that will never happen?"

"Not indefinitely, my dear captain! And this time there will
really be a deed that will please even such a rigorous lover of
action as Mustapha Kemal!"

Grim shrugged his shoulders again.

"I leave for Damascus at dawn," he said cynically. "I don't care
to be mocked there for bringing news of promises. We have had
too many of those barren mares. I shall say that I have found
everything here is sterile--the talk abortive--the men mere windy
bellies without hearts in them!"

Chapter Fifteen

"I'll have nothing to do with it!"

Noureddin Ali was pained and upset. Grim had pricked his
conceit--had sent t