rse from that
privilege, consoled themselves by kicking and punching the prostrate
Elias, who wept aloud, still crying: "My friend! My dearest friend!"
In the midst of this tumult, Khalil struck up the English National
Hymn, a carefully reserved effect which he was unwilling to forgo.

At length the Emir won his way to the door, where Iskender was waiting
for him, too happy in the turn events had taken to shake his head or
say "I told you so." They were joined by old Abdullah. Indoors,
behind them, the shrieks of the Jew and his spouse were now heard high
above the furious talking and the strains of the concertina.

"He come to you to-morrow, sir, and lie down on the floor and lick your
boots; I'll see to that," said Abdullah with determination.

"Curse it all! I lost my temper!" said the Frank with a nervous laugh.

"We best make haste, sir," said Abdullah, pointing eastward.

The sky inland was black as ink and formless; the sand looked white as
sun-bleached bone by contrast; the dark green wave of the
orange-gardens appeared pale; a palm-tree in the distance stood up wan
against the impending cloud. Presently a flash of lightning made them
quicken step; big drops of water fell like bullets round them. Before
they could reach the hotel the rain came down in sheets, beating up the
sand like smoke, and they were drenched to the skin. The Emir lent his
henchman some dry clothes and insisted on his remaining till the storm
passed over. Iskender knew that it might last for days. He dispatched
a ragamuffin, who had sought shelter in the hotel entry, with a message
to relieve his mother's mind; and soon found himself arrayed in clothes
too large for him, sitting in a drawing-room only less luxurious than
that of the Mission, looking at some English pictures, while the Frank
wrote letters. Truly, it seemed, he had been born to honour.

CHAPTER VI

When Iskender rose next morning from the bed on the floor of the
entrance-hall which he had been permitted to share with the black
servant, he saw a woeful figure in the doorway. A man, wrapped in a
great cloak of camel's hair, sat staring out dejectedly at the
daylight, which was greenish grey, the whole air seeming turned to
falling water. A hood drawn low upon his brow concealed his face,
except the smouldering anguish of the eyes, when he turned at sound of
movements in the hall behind him.

Elias--for he it was--sprang up and made the bound required to