the wish of H.M.'s Government, or of the Egyptian
Government, to have an intestine war in the Soudan on its
evacuation, yet such is sure to ensue, and the only way which
could prevent it is the restoration of Zebehr, who would be
accepted on all sides, and who would end the Mahdi in a couple of
months. My duty is to obey orders of H.M.'s Government, _i.e._ to
evacuate the Soudan as quickly as possible, _vis-a-vis_ the
safety of the Egyptian employes.

"To do this I count on Zebehr; but if the addenda is made that I
leave a satisfactory settlement of affairs, then Zebehr becomes a
_sine qua non_.

"Therefore the question resolves itself into this. Does H.M.'s
Government or Egyptian Government desire a settled state of
affairs in Soudan after the evacuation? Do these Governments want
to be free of this religious fanatic? If they do, then Zebehr
should be sent; and if the two Governments are indifferent, then
do not send him, and I have confidence one will (_D.V._) get out
the Egyptian employes in three or four months, and will leave a
cockpit behind us. It is not my duty to dictate what should be
done. I will only say, first, I was justified in my action
against Zebehr; second, that if Zebehr has no malice personally
against me, I should take him at once as a humanly certain
settler of the Mahdi and of those in revolt. I have written this
Minute, and Zebehr's story may be heard. I only wish that after
he has been interrogated, I may be questioned on such subjects as
his statements are at variance with mine. I would wish this
inquiry to be official, and in such a way that, whatever may be
the decision come to, it may be come to in my absence.

"With respect to the slave-trade, I think nothing of it, for
there will always be slave-trade as long as Turkey and Egypt buy
the slaves, and it may be Zebehr will or might in his interest
stop it in some manner. I will therefore sum up my opinion, viz.
that I would willingly take the responsibility of taking Zebehr
up with me if, after an interview with Sir E. Baring and Nubar
Pasha, they tell 'the mystic feeling' I could trust him, and
which 'mystic feeling' I felt I had for him to-night when I met
him at Cherif Pasha's house. Zebehr would have nothing to gain in
hunting me, and I would have no f