have been that overcame his momentary hesitation and
stifled the caution which prompted him to accede. He considered her a
moment, and a faint colour kindled in his cheeks which anger had made
livid.

"It is not for thee, Sakr-el-Bahr," he answered at length, "to make me
proposals. To dare it, proves thee far removed indeed from the loyalty
thy lips profess. Thou knowest my will concerning her. Once hast thou
thwarted and defied me, misusing to that end the Prophet's Holy Law.
Continue a barrier in my path and it shall be at thy peril." His voice
was raised and it shook with anger.

"Not so loud," said Sakr-el-Bahr, his eyes gleaming with a response of
anger. "For should my men overhear these threats of thine I will not
answer for what may follow. I oppose thee at my peril sayest thou. Be
it so, then." He smiled grimly. "It is war between us, Asad, since
thou hast chosen it. Remember hereafter when the consequences come to
overwhelm thee that the choice was thine."

"Thou mutinous, treacherous son of a dog!" blazed Asad.

Sakr-el-Bahr turned on his heel. "Pursue the path of an old man's
folly," he said over his shoulder, "and see whither it will lead thee."

Upon that he strode away up the gangway to the poop, leaving the Basha
alone with his anger and some slight fear evoked by that last bold
menace. But notwithstanding that he menaced boldly the heart of
Sakr-el-Bahr was surcharged with anxiety. He had conceived a plan; but
between the conception and its execution he realized that much ill might
lie.

"Mistress," he addressed Rosamund as he stepped upon the poop. "You are
not wise to show yourself so openly."

To his amazement she met him with a hostile glance.

"Not wise?" said she, her countenance scornful. "You mean that I may see
more than was intended for me. What game do you play here, sir, that you
tell me one thing and show me by your actions that you desire another?"

He did not need to ask her what she meant. At once he perceived how she
had misread the scene she had witnessed.

"I'll but remind you," he said very gravely, "that once before you did
me a wrong by over-hasty judgment, as has been proven to you."

It overthrew some of her confidence. "But then...." she began.

"I do but ask you to save your judgment for the end. If I live I shall
deliver you. Meanwhile I beg that you will keep your cabin. It does not
help me that you be seen."

She looked at him, a prayer for explanation trembli