"He has come to see the Saadat, I suppose; but it'll do him good to see me, perhaps.

Open the sluices, Mahommed." Yes, Nahoum would be glad to see the effendi, since Claridge Pasha was not in Cairo.

When would Claridge Pasha return?
If, then, the effendi expected to see the Saadat before his return to Cairo, perhaps he would convey a message.

He could not urge his presence on the Saadat, since he had not been honoured with any communication since yesterday.
"Well, that's good-mannered, anyhow, pasha," said Lacey with cheerful nonchalance.

"People don't always know when they're wanted or not wanted." Nahoum looked at him guardedly, sighed and sat down.