appiness, it hangs also right in the
middle of my oasis, right over my desert dwelling," and the string of
beads hanging from the waist slipped through the long fingers as words
of prayer fell softly on the perfumed air.

The girl got up and walked over to the camels.

"So I followed my star and suddenly found myself at the gates! Is this
my ship of the desert--and what a beautiful coat, the dear thing,"
starting back as the dear thing turned its bead suddenly, bared its
teeth and snarled.

"Don't be afraid, she is always nervous with strangers, also is she a
little spoilt, being the fastest and most perfect Bactrian camel in the
whole of Egypt and Arabia. Her pedigree, on parchment embossed with
gold, goes back almost to Ismael, and is kept in a Millwell safe in my
oasis, which shows that East does meet West occasionally. She has, up
to to-night, known no rider but me, and is used only for short journeys
of about seven days; you see these two-humped beasts can only go three
days with comfort without a drink, but their pace is so smooth that it
almost induces one to sleep. Also Taffadaln, which means welcome, a
name given to her after her mother had foaled three he-camels, has a
special guard both day and night, for there are many who covet her, for
she is the queen of camels, with her blood and breeding enhanced by
many years of training and special treatment. But alas! though her
coat is as silk, the cushions of her feet without fault, and her teeth
unblemished ivory, her manners are as ill-bred, and her indifference to
those who love her as great as that of the lowest of her species which
pollute the streets of Cairo." And leaning down he patted the beast's
head, speaking to her in the native tongue, whereupon she made juicy,
gurgling sounds in her long throat, and nuzzled the flowing sleeve,
which might have meant affection in any other animal but a camel.

"More extremes," he added, as a long, soft blast of a motor-horn
sounded just outside the walls. "Will you not sit down whilst I
explain things for the last time," unwinding, as he spoke, the soft
black cloak from about him, and folding it to make a cushion for the
stone, standing silhouetted against the shadow of the walls, whilst the
slight breeze blowing the snow-white raiment outlined the tremendous
width of shoulder, the slimness of the waist, and the muscular leanness
of the whole body.

And Jill sat down with a suddenness surprising in so contr