Dost thou not see, dost thou not recognise him ?" David intently studied the figure, which seemed unconscious of their presence.

The shoulders were stooping and relaxed as though from great fatigue, but David could see that the figure was that of a tall man.

The head was averted, but a rough beard covered the face, and, in the light of the fire, one hand that clutched it showed long and skinny and yellow and cruel.

The hand fascinated David's eyes.

Where had he seen it?
It flashed upon him--a hand clutching a robe, in a frenzy of fear, in the court-yard of the blue tiles, in Kaid's Palace--Achmet the Ropemaker! He drew back a step.
"Achmet," he said in a low voice.