, her eyes upon the weapon's lividly gleaming
blade. "And this marriage?" she asked. "How is it to take place?"

He explained to her then that by the Muslim law all that was required
was a declaration made before a kadi, or his superior, and in the
presence of witnesses. He was still at his explanation when from below
there came a sound of voices, the tramp of feet, and the flash of
torches.

"Here is Asad returning in force," he cried, and his voice trembled. "Do
you consent?"

"But the kadi?" she inquired, and by the question he knew that she was
won to his way of saving her.

"I said the kadi or his superior. Asad himself shall be our priest, his
followers our witnesses."

"And if he refuses? He will refuse!" she cried, clasping her hands
before her in her excitement.

"I shall not ask him. I shall take him by surprise."

"It... it must anger him. He may avenge himself for what he must deem a
trick."

"Ay," he answered, wild-eyed. "I have thought of that, too. But it is a
risk we must run. If we do not prevail, then--"

"I have the dagger," she cried fearlessly.

"And for me there will be the rope or the sword," he answered. "Be calm!
They come!"

But the steps that pattered up the stairs were Ali's. He flung upon the
terrace in alarm.

"My lord, my lord! Asad-ed-Din is here in force. He has an armed
following with him!"

"There is naught to fear," said Sakr-el-Bahr, with every show of calm.
"All will be well."

Asad swept up the stairs and out upon that terrace to confront his
rebellious lieutenant. After him came a dozen black-robed janissaries
with scimitars along which the light of the torches rippled in little
runnels as of blood.

The Basha came to a halt before Sakr-el-Bahr, his arms majestically
folded, his head thrown back, so that his long white beard jutted
forward.

"I am returned," he said, "to employ force where gentleness will not
avail. Yet I pray that Allah may have lighted thee to a wiser frame of
mind."

"He has, indeed, my lord," replied Sakr-el-Bahr.

"The praise to Him!" exclaimed Asad in a voice that rang with joy. "The
girl, then!" And he held out a hand.

Sakr-el-Bahr stepped back to her and took her hand in his as if to lead
her forward. Then he spoke the fateful words.

"In Allah's Holy Name and in His All-seeing eyes, before thee,
Asad-ed-Din, and in the presence of these witnesses, I take this woman
to be my wife by the merciful law of the Prophet of Allah the