military element here to lend a hand in the negotiations. A
European girl can't be shut up with impunity, I should think, even in
this part of the world. And the marabout has every reason not to get in
the bad books of the French."

"He is in their very best books at present," said Sabine. "He is
thought much of. The peace of the southern desert is largely in his
hands. My country would not be easily persuaded to offend him. It might
be said in his defence that he is not compelled to tell strangers if he
has a European wife, and her sister arrives to pay her a visit. Arab
ideas are peculiar; and we have to respect them."

"I think my friend and I must talk the whole matter over," said Stephen,
"and then, perhaps, we can make up our minds to a plan of action we
couldn't have taken if it weren't for what you've told us--about the
marabout and his European wife."

"I am glad if I have helped," Sabine answered. "And"--rather
wistfully--"I should like to help further."

XLV

"Oh Lella Saida, there is a message, of which I hardly dare to speak,"
whispered Noura to her mistress, when she brought supper for the two
sisters, the night when the way to the roof had been closed up.

"Tell me what it is, and do not be foolish," Saidee said sharply. Her
nerves were keyed to the breaking point, and she had no patience left.
It was almost a pleasure to visit her misery upon some one else. She
hated everybody and everything, because all hope was gone now. The door
to the roof was nailed shut; and she and Victoria were buried alive.

"But one sends the message who must not be named; and it is not even for
thee, lady. It is for the Little Rose, thy sister."

"If thou dost not speak out instantly, I will strike thee!" Saidee
exclaimed, on the verge of hysterical tears.

"And if I speak, still thou wilt strike! Be this upon thine own head, my
mistress. The Ouled Nail has dared send her woman, saying that if the
Little Rose will visit her house after supper, it will be for the good
of all concerned, since she has a thing to tell of great importance. At
first I would have refused even to take the message, but her woman,
Hadda, is my cousin, and she feared to go back without some answer. The
Ouled Nail is a demon when in a temper, and she would thrust pins into
Hadda's arms and thighs."

Saidee blushed with anger, disgustful words tingling on her tongue; but
she remained silent, her lips parted.

"Of course I won't go," s