Egypt shall begin again to-morrow." "Kaid ?" Achmet stopped smoking for a moment.

"When the khamsin comes, when the camels stampede, and the children of the storm fall upon the caravan, can it be foretold in what way Fate shall do her work?
So but the end be the same--malaish! We shall be content tomorrow." Now he turned and looked at his companion as though his mind had chanced on a discovery.

"To him who first brings word to a prince who inherits, that the reigning prince is dead, belong honour and place," he said.
"Then shall it be between us twain," said High, and laid his hot palm against the cold, snaky palm of the other.

"And he to whom the honour falls shall help the other." "Aiwa, but it shall be so," answered Achmet, and then they spoke in lower tones still, their eyes on the curtain behind which Harrik prayed.
Presently Harrik entered, impassive, yet alert, his slight, handsome figure in sharp contrast to the men lounging in the cushions before him, who salaamed as he came forward.

The features were finely chiselled, the forehead white and high, the lips sensuous, the eyes fanatical, the look concentrated yet abstracted.