our own. They defiled our
mosques; they corrupted our life; they ravaged our trade, they stole
our customers, they crowded us from the streets where once the faithful
lived alone. Such as thou had the ear of the Prince, and such as Nahoum,
also an infidel, who favoured the infidels of Europe. And now thou hast
come, the most dangerous of them all! Day by day the Muslim has loosed
his hold on Cairo, and Alexandria, and the cities of Egypt. Street upon
street knows him no more. My heart burned within me. I conspired for
Egypt's sake. I would have made her Muslim once again. I would have
fought the Turk and the Frank, as did Mehemet Ali; and if the infidels
came, I would have turned them back; or if they would not go, I would
have destroyed them here. Such as thou should have been stayed at the
door. In my own house I would have been master. We seek not to take up
our abode in other nations and in the cities of the infidel. Shall we
give place to them on our own mastaba, in our own court-yard--hand to
them the keys of our harems? I would have raised the Jehad if they vexed
me with their envoys and their armies." He paused, panting.

"It would not have availed," was David's quiet answer. "This land may
not be as Tibet--a prison for its own people. If the door opens outward,
then must it open inward also. Egypt is the bridge between the East and
the West. Upon it the peoples of all nations pass and repass. Thy plan
was folly, thy hope madness, thy means to achieve horrible. Thy dream is
done. The army will not revolt, the Prince will not be slain. Now only
remains what thou shalt do for Egypt--"

"And thou--thou wilt be left here to lay thy will upon Egypt. Kaid's ear
will be in thy hand--thou hast the sorcerer's eye. I know thy meaning.
Thou wouldst have me absolve all, even Achmet, and Higli, and Diaz, and
the rest, and at thy bidding go out into the desert"--he paused--"or
into the grave."

"Not into the desert," rejoined David firmly. "Thou wouldst not rest.
There, in the desert, thou wouldst be a Mahdi. Since thou must die, wilt
thou not order it after thine own choice? It is to die for Egypt."

"Is this the will of Kaid?" asked Harrik, his voice thick with wonder,
his brain still dulled by the blow of Fate.

"It was not the Effendina's will, but it hath his assent. Wilt thou
write the word to the army and also to the Prince?"

He had conquered. There was a moment's hesitation, then Harrik picked
up paper and ink