He was pleased, and thrilled with hope restored, yet kept an air of calmness.
"Good sheik, tell me how you came by this letter." "My people keep the roads between cities," Ilderim answered, bluntly.
"They took it from a courier." "Are they known to be thy people ?" "No.

To the world they are robbers, whom it is mine to catch and slay." "Again, sheik.

You call me son of Hur--my father's name.

I did not think myself known to a person on earth.

How came you by the knowledge ?" Ilderim hesitated; but, rallying, he answered, "I know you, yet I am not free to tell you more." "Some one holds you in restraint ?" The sheik closed his mouth, and walked away; but, observing Ben-Hur's disappointment, he came back, and said, "Let us say no more about the matter now.