"What are thy properties and treasure ?" he asked sternly.
Nahoum drew forth a paper from his sleeve, and handed it to Kaid without a word.

Kaid glanced at it hurriedly, then said: "This is but nothing.
What hast thou hidden from me ?" "It is all I have got in thy service, Highness," he answered boldly.
"All else I have given to the poor; also to spies--and to the army." "To spies--and to the army ?" asked Kaid slowly, incredulously.
"Wilt thou come with me to the window, Effendina ?" Kaid, wondering, went to the great windows which looked on to the Palace square.

There, drawn up, were a thousand mounted men as black as ebony, wearing shining white metal helmets and fine chain-armour and swords and lances like medieval crusaders.

The horses, too, were black, and the mass made a barbaric display belonging more to another period in the world's history.

This regiment of Nubians Kaid had recruited from the far south, and had maintained at his own expense.