s we shall have no
food, and unless help comes from Cairo, we must die or surrender. It is
not well to starve on the chance of help coming, and then die fighting
with weak arms and broken spirit. Therefore, we must fight to morrow, if
Ebn Ezra gets in to-night. I think we shall fight well," he added. "You
think so?"

"You are a born fighter, Saadat."

A shadow fell on David's face, and his lips tightened. "I was not born a
fighter, Lacey. The day we met first no man had ever died by my hand or
by my will."

"There are three who must die at sunset--an hour from now-by thy will,
Saadat."

A startled look came into David's face. "Who?" he asked.

"The Three Pashas, Saadat. They have been recaptured."

"Recaptured!" rejoined David mechanically.

"Achmet Pasha got them from under the very noses of the sheikhs before
sunrise this morning."

"Achmet--Achmet Pasha!" A light came into David's face again.

"You will keep faith with Achmet, Saadat. He risked his life to get
them. They betrayed you, and betrayed three hundred good men to death.
If they do not die, those who fight for you will say that it doesn't
matter whether men fight for you or betray you, they get the same stuff
off the same plate. If we are going to fight to-morrow, it ought to be
with a clean bill of health."

"They served me well so long--ate at my table, fought with me. But--but
traitors must die, even as Harrik died." A stern look came into his
face. He looked round the great room slowly. "We have done our best," he
said. "I need not have failed, if there had been no treachery...."

"If it hadn't been for Nahoum!"

David raised his head. Supreme purpose came into his bearing. A grave
smile played at his lips, as he gave that quick toss of the head which
had been a characteristic of both Eglington and himself. His eyes
shone-a steady, indomitable light. "I will not give in. I still have
hope. We are few and they are many, but the end of a battle has never
been sure. We may not fail even now. Help may come from Cairo even
to-morrow."

"Say, somehow you've always pulled through before, Saadat. When
I've been most frightened I've perked up and stiffened my backbone,
remembering your luck. I've seen a blue funk evaporate by thinking of
how things always come your way just when the worst seems at the worst."

David smiled as he caught up a small cane and prepared to go. Looking
out of a window, he stroked his thin, clean-shaven face with a lean