They were all looking Death in the face, and the closer they looked the less they feared him.

They were conscious rather of a feeling of curiosity, together with the nervous tingling with which one approaches a dentist's chair.

The dragoman made a motion of his hands and shoulders, as one who has tried and failed.

The Emir Abderrahman said something to a negro, who hurried away.
"What does he want a scissors for ?" asked the Colonel.
"He is going to hurt the women," said Mansoor, with the same gesture of impotence.
A cold chill fell upon them all.

They stared about them in helpless horror.