It was plain he had not heard the evil news.
"Peace be to thee, Saadat, and may thy life be fenced about with safety!" said Nahoum.
David laid a hand on Lacey's arm and squeezed it, smiling at him with such friendship that Lacey's eyes moistened, and he turned his head away.
There was a quiet elation in David's look.

"We are ready at last," he said, looking from one to the other.

"Well, well," he added, almost boyishly, "has thee nothing to say, Nahoum ?" Nahoum turned his head away as though overcome.

David's face grew instantly grave.

He turned to Lacey.