ws that the English treat you badly and
intends to drive them out of Egypt." The officers whom he tempted were,
however, staunchly loyal. They handed him over to Colonel Wilson,
Governor of the Red Sea Province. His red and blue uniform, sword and
papers were discovered, but he defended himself stoutly against the
charges of spying and war treason, and his interests were carefully
watched by Judge Davidson, who acted as Judge Advocate. One Arabic
letter found among his papers was addressed to the Ministry of War at
Constantinople, and appears to have been a copy of a report sent off by
him just before his arrest. It is worth quoting as a footnote to
history:

"I arrived at Mecca, where I met the Valy and Commandant, Wahib Bey,
and gave him my information. He left Mecca for Jiddah at once for
his usual work, and provided me with a boat and six civilians, who
accompanied me from Jiddah to Suakin and Port Sudan on a secret
mission to induce the natives to favour the presence of the Turkish
government, to rise against the existing European government, and to
take necessary precautions for upholding the honour of the Turkish
government without anyone's knowledge.... I hope when I reach
Khartum, in a secret way to encourage a rising against the British
troops, if possible. As for my expenses, I took from the Valy
Commandant sixteen Turkish pounds and three pounds sterling for the
necessary expenses of the journey by steamer and land. I have every
wish for the prosperity of the Religion and for the Sultan's victory
over the unbelievers."

This man in his defence denied that any Sudanese like himself would
dream of plotting against the British, who had purified government,
employed Sudanese in administration, and given their children schools.
He was convicted and sentenced to death, but that penalty was commuted
by the Sirdar, in consideration of a tardy confession.

One of the Falatas turned King's evidence against his other companions
on the charge of war treason. Squatting on the floor of the courthouse,
their rosaries interlaced with their handcuffs, they assumed the air of
innocence, but were convicted and condemned to terms of imprisonment.
Two were called Isa (Jesus) and one was Adam. Arab life has more than a
touch of the Bible.

The whole episode brought into relief the wide ramifications of
Turco-German intrigue.

Another singular case of German subtlety was that of an a