re only too glad to obey; and Yussuf, our
prisoner, made obedience more certain by shouting messages to
them to be delivered to friends in Jaffa.

So Narayan Singh cast appraising eyes on the _shibriyah,_ and
curled up in it like a big dog, without troubling to ask Ayisha's
permission. Sleep was his first intention, but he was for killing
two birds with one stone; I did not realize at the time what a
chance that was going to provide for making the first advances to
the lady.

I rode forward beside Grim, who guided us with a compass on his
wrist until the stars came out; and for hours on end we went side
by side, saying nothing, listening to the monotonous jangle of
his camel bell and the obligato of the bells behind. It was music
that suited our mood, harmonizing perfectly with the solemn
marvel of a desert sunset and the velvety, cool silence of the
starlit night.

"That man Yussuf had me guessing," he said at last. "I couldn't
place him. Knew his face, but that was all. Then she whispered
something about his being a wind that carries smells from one
village to the next and back again, spying against both sides at
the same time. Then I remembered. He used to spy for us against
the Turks and sell them information about us at the same time.
Nearly got shot for it, but was let off because his services had
really been valuable. I remember his being sent down to Jaffa and
told to stay put."

"But what in thunder are you going to do with him?" I asked. "He
thinks you're Ali Higg"

Grim chuckled.

"Wonder what Ali Higg will say when he's confronted by Ali Higg!"

"Wonder what he'll do, you mean, don't you!"

"What d'you keep looking back for?"

"Just keeping tabs on Ayisha."

"No need to worry about her. Now we've got Yussuf on our string
it's a cinch we can use her whichever way the cat jumps. She'll
be afraid he'll tell tales about her."

"Hell!" I said. "It seems to me this whole procession's crazy!
The best we've got with us is a gang of professional thieves.

"The farther we go the more we load up with sure-fire traitors.
First Ayisha; she'd cut throats at so much per. Her four men,
who'd change sides once an hour if they were made afraid that
often. Now this Yussuf--a professional spy, whose habit you say
is to betray both sides."

"Pretty good outfit, I'll tell the world," he answered.

"Good for what?"

"You got cold feet?"

"I've got cold judgment. We're crazy. We haven't a chance in a
millio