e, Jael and you must sign and seal a letter
to the Bank of Egypt stipulating that the fifty thousand pounds
shall not be withdrawn for three years. As long as you keep your
promise that money of yours shall be safe, with no questions
asked as to how you came by it; for I shall not say a word about
it to the British Government, making only a sealed report,
which shall be locked away and never opened unless you break
the bargain."

"And at the end of three years?"

"Who knows?" Grim answered. "The years are on the lap of Allah.
By then we may all be dead, or you may be king, or may be weary
of politics--who knows?"

"And if I refuse?"

"Aeroplanes!"

"But how shall I believe you?"

"Do I not pledge my life?" Grim answered. "I have said that I
will go to Abu Lissan."

"Allah! Why don't you send the aeroplanes to Abu Lissan? Blot the
dogs out! Destroy them! Why not?"

"Would it not be easier to send them here?" asked Grim. "This is
only part way. You, who found it easier to crush the smaller
first, tell me why the aeroplanes should not come first to Petra!"

_"Wallahi!_ I wish I had aeroplanes!"

"But you haven't. Choose now: Will you make that bargain with me,
or shall I go straight back from here to Palestine and make my
report to the administrator? Never doubt that I can get back; I
know where your men are, and I know the desert trails as well as
you do. You and your few men that you have here and the women
might attack us in the Wady Musa,* but I would prevent that by
taking you and Jael with me until we reached the open."

----------
* The name of the valley that leads into Petra
----------

"You talk boldly," the Lion sneered. "If you think you can take
us with you that far then why not to Jerusalem? The words of a
boaster are a mask of doubt. Hah! Take us to Jerusalem! Why not?"

"Because then," Grim answered, "there would be ten-score
cutthroats at large without a leader who can hold them. One
Lion can keep a bargain, but ten score jackals would ruin
a country-side."

Ali Higg turned that over in his mind for five full minutes, like
a chess player refusing to admit that he is mated. But there
wasn't a move left to him, and Jael went closer on her knees to
whisper advice in his ear.

"I agree," he said at last. "As Allah is my witness, I agree. Let
us be friends, O Jimgrim!"

Grim shook hands with him and offered him a cigarette, while Ali
Baba's men outside the cave sent up a great shout of