You can't upset the young British officer by storming at him.

De Crespigny smiled, and came back at her with his next question suddenly.
"Are not those things for the wife of Ali Higg, and are you not from Petra ?" "If you know so surely whence I come, why do you ask me ?" "Are you a slave ?" "Allah!" "How many wives has Ali Higg ?" "How should I know ?" "Because I think you are one of his wives.

Is that not so ?" "I am Ayisha.

I claim Your Honor's protection." That was no false move.

It was so nearly a checkmate that de Crespigny went to the sideboard for the silver box of cigarettes, to offer her one and gain time for thought.
Ever since the days of Ruth, and no doubt long before that, it has been the first law of the desert that man or woman claiming protection can no longer be treated as an enemy.