the wisdom of putting no hindrance in his way.

"If the Effendi will graciously consent, it would be wiser to remain here
for one hour more," Hassan said. "The men are tired, also."

Michael assented. If the beasts and the men were tired, they would wait.
The excuse was not unwelcome. The good meal had relaxed his energies.
Hassan thanked him and silently disappeared.

Michael sipped his coffee; it was perfect. He lit a cigarette, after
they had turned their chairs to the open front of the shelter. Presently
Millicent slipped down from her chair and sat on the sand in front of the
tent; there was more air. Soon Michael did the same.

They had lunched well and were friends. A certain delicious apathy stole
over Michael, which kept him from referring to any unpleasant topics. He
left alone the subject as to why Millicent had trapped him and forced her
company upon him. For the time being she was good and gentle, the reason
being that she also was relaxed and inert--the result of a good meal
after a strenuous morning on camel-back.

Michael had been riding since dawn. The temptation to let things alone
was an unconscious one; he submitted to it.

A great expanse of the desert was before them. Millicent lay curled up,
like a golden tortoise-shell cat, in the sun; Michael, with his legs
doubled up to his chin, rested his head on his knees. He would have been
asleep in a few minutes if Millicent had not spoken; suddenly she said:

"Look! Surely that's my holy man, whose reasoning powers are in heaven?
There, look--far away, over there!"

Michael raised himself and looked to where she pointed. There was
nothing to indicate any particular spot in the stretch of sand before
them.

"I can just see the tattered rags of his staff. I'm sure it's the same
man. Can't you see him?"

Michael looked again. "I can only distinguish something moving in the
distance. I can't say what it is, or if it is coming this way."

"Can't you see a thing like a flag fluttering in the air? I can--there,
can't you see him now?"

"Yes, now I can," Michael said. He got up from his low seat, his
energies fully alert, his drowsiness gone. He held himself in check. It
was absurd to appear so interested in a desert-fanatic--or an
idiot--coming across their path. They were both common enough
occurrences in the East.

Millicent watched his face. Why was he so thrilled, why so interested?
Michael's first impulse was to go a