oted objection to kings, as human mortals," he said. "I
suppose half the monarchs in Europe, and certainly our own included,
are very good men, very anxious for their kingdom's prosperity, if not
for their people's development. It's the condition of affairs which
tolerates such an obsolete form of government. If the king is merely a
picturesque figure-head, like the carved heads of Venus on a vessel's
prow, I'd have no objection, but a despotic and vain peacock like the
Kaiser, who turns his subjects into military instruments, in my opinion
wants destroying along with the other rubbish."

"But to go back," Meg said, "to your old friend in el-Azhar--do tell me
more about him."

"He's a splendid old warrior," Michael said tenderly. "When you think
of what he's achieved, isn't he wonderful? I wish you could see him."

"The force of will-power, of concentration," Meg said. "I suppose he
has never thought of anything else all his life, but this one dream of
el-Azhar."

"That's it," Mike said. "But what gives these Moslems that wonderful
power of mind-control?" Mike paused. "Now, here am I," he said. "I
came out with you to-night meaning to tell you that I was going away."

"Oh," Meg said. "Not yet--not until the tomb is opened? Surely not?"

"No, not until the tomb is opened--I had no intention of that."

She sighed. "That would be too awful."

Michael kissed her. "How nice of you!" he said. "You really wanted
me?"

"Of course! I have visualized the opening of the tomb--you and I
crawling down the 'dig,' with Freddy waiting at the foot to show us his
treasures. You couldn't have gone!"

"No," he said, "I couldn't. But I wanted to tell you that I was going
soon after. I was going for reasons that only my own heart understood.
And then what did I do? I told you that I loved you! I forgot
everything but you, dearest. Before I knew it, I had spoken of what it
might have been wiser to keep hidden away in my heart, with all my
other mad dreams."

"But why, Mike? I should have been so very unhappy, so wretched. As
it is, I am just bursting with happiness. I wouldn't change anything
for worlds--not one tiny thing!"

"If you are contented," he said, "and understand, then it may not have
been unwise, untrue to Freddy's trust in me."

"Oh," Meg said, "you dear, why, Freddy adores the very ground you walk
on! He chaffs you, but he simply thinks no end of you."

"He doesn't want a drifter for a