it, for I might have mistaken that for a signal. Old
Ibrahim ben Ah looked straight into her eyes, read resolution
there, and bowed like a courtier to a queen. Then he turned on
his heel, strode back to his camel, mounted, and returned to his
men without another word to any one. Yet I dare bet that he had
counted us, and knew we were all strangers, and dare say his
thoughts would fill a good long chapter of a book.

Grim continued to sit his camel motionless until the raiders
under Ibrahim ben Ah had formed into four long lines and ridden
away westward, towing enough baggage-animals behind them for a
week or two's supplies.

"One hundred and forty men," he announced when they were gone.
"The Lion of Petra can't have many left."

CHAPTER IX

"I Think We've Got the Lion of Petra on the Hip!"

Grim is one of those fellows who tell you their principles as
grudgingly as they let out facts. He would make the poorest sort
of propagandist or politician, for he doesn't advertise, and
hates long arguments. What he knows he knows is so because it
works; and he proceeds to put it to work.

Nor is he much of a teacher. He takes people as he finds them and
adapts his plans accordingly. So it is only from observation
extended over a considerable period in all sorts of circumstances
that I can say I believe his first and underlying principle is to
look for the positive, concrete usefulness in any one with whom
he is associated, whether friend or enemy. And this I have heard
him say several times.

"In secret service you limit yourself if you make plans. The game
is to listen and watch. Presently the other fellow always tells
his plans or else betrays them."

And he is no such fool as to be caught in the act of listening,
or to forewarn his enemy by seeming to wish to listen.

He gave the order to march at once. Some of the men doubled up
uncomfortably on the riding-camels, because of the three that had
been killed, and the Bishareen fell to me.

I ranged alongside Jael Higg, with Narayan Singh on the other
side of her. At that we were off, Grim leading, well in advance,
with Ali Baba and six men in attendance.

The moon was a bit behind us by that time, so that I did not have
much chance to observe Jael Higg narrowly until she turned her
face to speak to me. But she was not long about doing that--say
fifteen minutes--nine hundred seconds; suppressed curiosity can
work up a pretty high pressure in that t