y accident on a clue to what I
shall tell you presently. He had the impudence to try to
blackmail me--me, of all people! You saw him killed. But did
you see who killed him? I--I killed him, with this right hand!
You do not believe? You think, perhaps, I lack the strength for
such a blow? Look here, where the force of it broke my skin on
the handle of the knife! Now, am I a man of words, not deeds?"

"You want me to report to Mustapha Kemal that all the
accomplishment in Jerusalem amounts to one policeman killed?"

"No, no! You mistake my meaning. My point is that having proved
to you I am a ruthless man of action, I am entitled to be
believed when I tell you what next I intend to do."

"Well--I listen."

"There is going to be--hee-hee!--an explosion!"

"Where? When? Of what?"

"In Jerusalem, within a day or two, and of what? Why, of high
explosive, what else?"

"Much good an explosion in this city will do Mustapha Kemal!"
Grim grumbled. "You may kill a few beggars and break some
windows. The British will double the guards afterward at all the
city gates, and that will be the end of it; except that some of
you, who perhaps may escape being thrown into jail, will apply to
Mustapha Kemal for high commissions in his army on the strength
of it! Great doings! Mustapha Kemal will have no bastinadoed."

"Hee-hee! You are going to be surprised. What would you say to
an explosion, for instance, that destroyed the Dome of the Rock?"

"That might accomplish results."

"Hee-hee! You admit it! An explosion to be blamed on the
Zionists, who must afterward be protected by the British from the
mob! Would that not set India on fire?"

"It might help. But who is to do it?"

"You see the doer before you! I will do it."

"If I thought such a thing was really going to take place--"

"You would think that news worth carrying, eh? You would hurry
to Damascus, wouldn't you? And let me assure you, my dear
captain, speed is essential. There are reasons why the explosion
has not yet occurred--reasons of detail and difficulties to be
overcome. But now there is little further prospect of delay.
Everything is nearly ready. The explosive is not yet in place,
but is at hand. The authorities suspect nothing. There remains
only a little excavation work, and then--hee-hee!--nothing to do
but choose the hour when hundreds are in the mosque. Houp-la!
Up she goes. Does not the idea appeal to you?"

"Sens