The squat lieutenant, the Moolah, and about a dozen Dervishes surrounded the prisoners.

They had not mounted their camels, for they were told off to be the ministers of death.

The three men understood as they looked upon their faces that the sand was running very low in the glass of their lives.

Their hands were still bound, but their guards had ceased to hold them.

They turned round, all three, and said good-bye to the women upon the camels.
"All up now, Norah," said Belmont.