Diaz had ignominiously died of the bite of a tarantula before a blow had been struck, but Higli had gratefully received a slight wound in the first encounter, which enabled him to beat a safe retreat to Cairo.

He alone of the chief of the old conspirators was left.

Achmet was still at the Place of Lepers, and the old nest of traitors was scattered for ever.
Only Nahoum and Higli were left, and between these two there had never been partnership or understanding.

Nahoum was not the man to trust to confederates, and Higli Pasha was too contemptible a coadjutor.

Nahoum had faith in no one save Mizraim the Chief Eunuch, but Mizraim alone was better than a thousand; and he was secret--and terrible.