After the usual string of pleasantries he became suddenly confidential, over-acting the part a little, as a man does who has something rather disagreeable up his sleeve that he means to spring on you presently.
"I have been busy since an hour before dawn.

I have been consulting with my friend Suliman ben Saoud.

The situation here is very serious.

As long as you are my guest you are perfectly safe; but if I were to send you away, the assembled notables might suspect you of being a spy, and might accuse me of harbouring a spy.

Do you see?
They would suppose you were returning to Jerusalem with information for the British.