loathsome sort of gratitude. He was willing to pay in kind;
but what Oriental ever paid a debt without a gift in return, even as a
bartering Irishman demands his lucky penny.

"So be it, excellency, and my life is thine to spill upon the ground, a
scarlet cloth for thy feet. And backsheesh?"

Nahoum smiled grimly. "For backsheesh, thy turban full of gold."

Mizraim's eyes glittered-the dull black shine of a mongrel terrier's. He
caught the sleeve of Nahoum's coat and kissed it, then kissed his hand.

Thus was their bargain made over the dead body; and Mizraim had an
almost superstitious reverence for the fulfilment of a bond, the one
virtue rarely found in the Oriental. Nothing else had he, but of all men
in Egypt he was the best instrument Nahoum could have chosen; and of all
men in Egypt he was the one man who could surely help him.

"What is there now to do, excellency?"

"My coachman is with the carriage at the gate by which the English girl
left. It is open still. The key is in Foorgat's pocket, no doubt; stolen
by him, no doubt also.... This is my design. Thou wilt drive him"--he
pointed to the body--"to his palace, seated in the carriage as though he
were alive. There is a secret entrance. The bowab of the gate will show
the way; I know it not. But who will deny thee? Thou comest from high
places--from Kaid. Who will speak of this? Will the bowab? In the
morning Foorgat will be found dead in his bed! The slight bruise thou
canst heal--thou canst?"

Mizraim nodded. "I can smooth it from the sharpest eye."

"At dawn he will be found dead; but at dawn I shall be knocking at his
gates. Before the world knows I shall be in possession. All that is
his shall be mine, for at once the men of law shall be summoned, and my
inheritance secured before Kaid shall even know of his death. I shall
take my chances for my life."

"And the coachman, and the bowab, and others it may be?"

"Shall not these be with thee--thou, Kaid's keeper of the harem, the
lion at the door of his garden of women? Would it be strange that
Foorgat, who ever flew at fruit above his head, perilous to get or keep,
should be found on forbidden ground, or in design upon it? Would it be
strange to the bowab or the slave that he should return with thee stark
and still? They would but count it mercy of Kaid that he was not given
to the serpents of the Nile. A word from thee--would one open his mouth?
Would not the shadow of thy hand, of the swift doo