I am not dead." "Have you friends in Jerusalem ?" "Surely." "Strange that they haven't been to see you." "Wallah! Not strange at all." "I see.

They regard you as a man without authority, who might make trouble and leave other men to face it, eh ?" "Who says I have no authority ?" "Well, if you could prove you have--" "What then ?" the man in bed demanded, trying to sit up.

"Feisul, for instance, is a friend of mine, and these men with me are his friends too.

You have no letter, of course, for that would be dangerous..." "Jimgrim, in the name of the Most High, I swear I had a letter! He who stabbed me took it.

I--" "Was the letter from Feisul ?" "Malaish--no matter.