mber of
European women, he knew, were now engaged on archaeological work in Egypt.

As the distance shortened, he began to count the number of the camels.
It was not a large equipment.

Quite suddenly the two leading camels of the approaching party strode
forward, almost at a gallop, the curious gallop of fast-travelling desert
camels. The next minute a clear voice called out:

"Hallo, good morning! Have you used Pears' Soap?"

Michael's heart stopped beating. It was Millicent's voice. For the sake
of appearances he returned her greeting gaily, although his heart was
filled with anger.

"No," he cried back. "But I've used desert sand, which the Prophet said
does as well."

Millicent had tricked him, cheated him. She had discovered his plans;
she had laid hers very cleverly so as to meet him on the most desolate
part of his journey. A vision of Margaret's anger, had she seen her
riding towards him, rose before his eyes. The tone of Michael's voice
expressed something of his feelings; it made Millicent all the more
daring.

"I arranged a surprise for you--wasn't I clever?"

"It is certainly a surprise," Michael said. "Where are you going?"

"Whither thou goest, I will go," she said laughingly. "Where do you
suppose I am going?"

"This is absurd, Millicent!" Michael lowered his voice.

"Why absurd? The desert's big enough for us both, isn't it?"

"I should have thought it sufficiently big to have made our meeting
unnecessary."

"Now, Mike, don't be an ungracious pig! Here I am and here I mean to
stay. I won't bother you, so just be nice."

The mules and camels of both parties had met. The men had joined forces
and much talking was going on amongst the natives.

"Have you come alone?" Michael asked.

"My dragoman is with me."

"Of course," Mike said. "I know that. But are you by yourself, without
any other European?"

"Quite," Millicent said. "I didn't want anyone. Hassan's a reliable
dragoman. I came to meet you."

"Do you think it was nice of you?"

"Well, no," she said. "Perhaps not, but it is nice for me, Mike, and it
will be nice for you, too, if you will only be sensible and accept the
situation."

"What do you mean by being sensible?" he asked.

"Just allowing me to come, and being pleasant and happy and enjoying
yourself. I've everything I need--I won't ask you for a single thing but
happiness."

"I shan't be happy--I wished to be alone. You knew it."

"What ha