possible, even likely, I think. Of course we speak in
confidence, effendi."

"The confidence of the 'perfect friendship.'"

"There may be difficulty, because the Saadat is sensitive; but it is the
only way to help him. I can get the money from but one source; and to
get it involves an agreement."

"You think his Excellency would not just jump at it--that it might hurt
some of his prejudices, eh?"

"So, effendi."

"And me--where am I in it, pasha?"

"Thou hast great influence with his Excellency."

"I am his servant--I don't meddle with his prejudices, pasha."

"But if it were for his own good, to save his work here."

Lacey yawned almost ostentatiously. "I guess if he can't save it himself
it can't be saved, not even when you reach out the hand of perfect
friendship. You've been reaching out for a long time, pasha, and it
didn't save the steamer or the cotton-mills; and it didn't save us when
we were down by Sobat a while ago, and you sent Halim Bey to teach us to
be patient. We got out of that nasty corner by sleight of hand, but not
your sleight of hand, pasha. Your hand is a quick hand, but a sharp eye
can see the trick, and then it's no good, not worth a button."

There was something savage behind Nahoum's eyes, but they did not show
it; they blinked with earnest kindness and interest. The time would come
when Lacey would go as his master should go, and the occasion was
not far off now; but it must not be forced. Besides, was this fat,
amorous-looking factotum of Claridge Pasha's as Spartan-minded as his
master? Would he be superior to the lure of gold? He would see. He spoke
seriously, with apparent solicitude.

"Thou dost not understand, effendi. Claridge Pasha must have money.
Prestige is everything in Egypt, it is everything with Kaid. If Claridge
Pasha rides on as though nothing has happened--and money is the only
horse that can carry him--Kaid will not interfere, and his black mood
may pass; but any halting now and the game is done."

"And you want the game to go on right bad, don't you? Well, I guess
you're right. Money is the only winner in this race. He's got to have
money, sure. How much can you raise? Oh, yes, you told me! Well, I don't
think it's enough; he's got to have three times that; and if he can't
get it from the Government, or from Kaid, it's a bad lookout. What's the
bargain you have in your mind?"

"That the slave-trade continue, effendi."

Lacey did not wink, but he had a shoc