But it is the custom of the place for political errors to be punished by a hidden hand; we do not call it murder." "What is murder, friend ?" "It is such a crime as that of Mahommed yonder, who killed--" David interposed.

"I do not wish to know his crime.

That is no affair between thee and me." Nahoum fingered his beads meditatively.

"It was an affair of the housetops in his town of Manfaloot.

I have only mentioned it because I know what view the English take of killing, and how set thou art to have thy household above reproach, as is meet in a Christian home.