ively
went to his aid, and, finding him still alive, did not hesitate to
take him to Mariam at once. On discovering Helmar's nationality, and
learning how he too had fallen foul of the treacherous natives, she
showed great regard for him, which gradually developed into strong
affection, and her kindness knew no bounds. Her son shared the
feelings of his mother, and the two, as will be seen, proved to be
great benefactors to Helmar.

During the next few days he made more rapid progress toward
recovery. Each time he saw the patient nurse, he endeavoured to
extract from her the meaning of the position in which he found
himself, but without success--she would tell him nothing. He began
to get a hazy recollection of a fight, but how it came about, and
with whom, he could not recall.

What puzzled him most was this old woman. She was tall and gaunt, of
the Arab type, and her face was lined and wrinkled to such an extent
that it was impossible to tell whether its expression was kindly or
otherwise. When his strength grew and things became clearer to his
mental vision, he determined to have an explanation.

Late one evening as the woman came in with the lamp, he broached the
subject.

"Mariam," he said abruptly, as she was about to leave the room,
"come here. I am strong now, and I want to talk to you. Now tell me
all about it. How did I get into this plight? And how came I into
this house?"

She eyed him keenly for a moment, then walking over to the bed sat
down beside it.

"My son brought you here; you were wounded in a fight with Arabs in
Cairo."

"Ah, yes," he said thoughtfully. "There was a meeting and we went to
stop it. I remember something of it now. Where is the police
inspector?"

"Dead."

"Dead?"

"Yes, dead," she repeated.

George did not answer. He was thinking hard. At last he spoke again.

"Am I not in Cairo, then?" he asked in astonishment.

"No, you are in Gizeh, a little distance from the city. Cairo is in
such a state of tumult at the present time, it would be impossible
to keep you in hiding there after the part you took with the police.
So my son brought you here to me for safety."

"How long have I been here?" he asked.

"Since that affair with the police officer," Mariam answered.

"Yes," said George, after another long pause, "I can see it all now;
we were set upon. But how did your son find me?"

"He was with the crowd who went round at the noise of the fighting.
The people tho