I asked questions, but was not content with asking.

I went and looked.

I made friends with subordinate officials, some of whom I bribed to show me written orders removed from the desks of commanding officers.
"I ascertained all particulars and found this to be the fact: That whereas there are small bodies of troops scattered in certain places, those are needed for local protection of the places where they are; and that whereas there is at Ludd an army of more than twenty thousand men, with guns, great store of supplies, cavalry, and aeroplanes, that army is held in readiness to go to Egypt and cannot for the present be sent against you.
Moreover, the long march, so difficult for guns and supply-wagons, from there to Petra, would not be attempted during the hot season.
So Your Honor is safe from attack." "Uh! So you say!" Grim grunted.
You could almost hear the wheels click inside his head as he tried to puzzle out what use to make of this man.

One thing was clear enough: the Lion of Petra was well informed.

It was nothing less than fact that on no account could an expedition be undertaken against him for a long time.