So I ask you to bear me witness that I was compelled by threats and force to go with these people.

In that way, with a little ingenuity--that is to say, the ingenious use of piastras--perhaps I can contrive to get out of the difficulty without being punished by both Arabs and British." I promised to tell no more than I had seen and heard.

On the strength of that we became as fast friends as suspicion permitted.

We trusted each other, because we more or less had to, like a couple of thieves "on the lam." It suited me.

He was a very good interpreter and slavishly anxious to please.