He has fled with documents, for the want of which I cannot
obtain property which is mine by right, and I have traced him to
Khartoum; and I request your Highness's omnipotent aid to find him, and
induce him to make restitution of what is valueless to him, but of great
importance to me."

The Bey smoked a little while in silence, and then said--

"If these documents are of no use to him, why has he taken them?"

"He took them to extort money for their recovery," replied Harry. "But
he had committed other crimes which obliged him to fly the country in a
hurry, and before he had time to make profit of the papers."

Another long pause of silent smoking, and the Bey observed--

"It is a difficult matter, and he will be hard to find."

Harry was prepared for objections, and had learned the best arguments
for their removal. He placed a purse containing the sum which his
friends in Cairo had estimated sufficient on the divan, and said--

"I know that legal expenses are great in all countries, and it is only
just that I should bear the charge."

The Bey bowed and clapped his hands.

"Send Abdullah here," he said to the attendant who appeared.

Abdullah came in; an old man, with an ink horn and other writing
materials, worn in a case stuck into his girdle instead of weapons, who
prostrated himself, and was questioned. He remembered the name of
Daireh, and knew there was something wrong about him. But he must
consult his books and examine certain sbirri, or policemen.

So Harry had to go away, with the promise that he should have fuller
information next day. He did not for a moment expect to be satisfied so
quickly as that, nor was he; but still he was infinitely more lucky than
most people who have to deal with Turkish or Egyptian authorities, for
at a third meeting, and with a little more baksheesh to subordinates, he
got at the facts; and very disappointing they were.

When the Egyptian army, now under the command of Hicks Pasha, was being
gathered to the camp of Um Durma, where it was at present situated,
Daireh had been very energetic in trying for contracts to supply the
troops with various requisites, and had ingratiated himself with many of
the Egyptian officers, so he came and went freely past the sentries at
all hours, always having the password. One of the English officers,
however, chanced to see him one day in company which aroused his
suspicions, and he had him watched, and shortly afterwards a co