It is a due inheritance." Kaid laughed sarcastically.

"It was got in Mehemet Ali's service." "Nathless, it is a heritage, Effendina.

He would give that fortune back again to Egypt in work with me, as I shall give of what is mine, and of what I am, in the name of God, the all-merciful!" The smile faded out of Kaid's face, and wonder settled on it.

What manner of man was this?
His life, his fortune for Egypt, a country alien to him, which he had never seen till six months ago! What kind of being was behind the dark, fiery eyes and the pale, impassioned face?
Was he some new prophet?
If so, why should he not have cast a spell upon Nahoum?
Had he not bewitched himself, Kaid, one of the ablest princes since Alexander or Amenhotep?
Had Nahoum, then, been mastered and won?
Was ever such power?
In how many ways had it not been shown! He had fought for his uncle's fortune, and had got it at last yesterday without a penny of backsheesh.

Having got his will, he was now ready to give that same fortune to the good of Egypt--but not to beys and pashas and eunuchs (and that he should have escaped Mizraim was the marvel beyond all others!), or even to the Prince Pasha; but to that which would make "Egypt better and greater and richer--the poor richer, even though the rich be poorer!" Kaid chuckled to himself at that.