ep the amethyst until they parted. In the morning,
if he was really strong enough to go on his way and if he still wished
him to accept the gem, he would do so.

With this the fanatic was contented. He wrapped up the gem which had
once belonged to the heretic Pharaoh, whose one and only God was Aton,
and replaced it in its strange jewel-case.

* * * * * *

When Michael left the tent where the saint lay, he turned his back on
the encampment. He wished to be alone. His thoughts were bewildering.
He turned his back upon the encampment because the crouching man in him
knew that in the camp was the white tent of the woman. If he passed
it, would the primitive man in him spring up and force him to turn in?

"Turn in, turn in, my lord, and he did turn in." How the words had
kept ringing in his ears.

Alone in the desert he must drink of the cup tempered with camphor.
Henceforth his one thought and object must be the finding of the
treasure he had journeyed thus far to discover. The saint's news had
so excited him that he wished that he could waken all the sleeping
servants and order Abdul to begin their journey. Action would drive
the white tent and its persistent call out of his mind. The sky was so
light that they could easily see to travel.

His nerves chafed at the unnecessary delay. And yet he must not hurry,
for his mind foresaw great difficulty, even in the matter of persuading
the holy man to travel with them.

The seer at el-Azhar had promised him that a "child of God" would lead
him. If he waited and trusted and just let things take their course,
all things would come right. Haste comes of the devil--a true Eastern
proverb, a warning far too little regarded by the Western children of
speed. But his conscience rebuked him. Had he verily been one of
those who do deeds of real kindness? Was he worthy to drink of the cup
tempered with camphor? Had his deed been sincerely inspired by
disinterested love towards his fellow-beings? Had it not been so
mingled and mixed up with his anxiety to find the hidden treasure that
he had gladly seized the opportunity of offering help to the wayfarer,
hoping that he might prove to be the very child of God who was to guide
him to the secret spot?

Yet surely, in doing this deed of kindness, even though it was affected
by self-interest, he had already drunk of the cup tempered with
camphor? The desires of his frail human flesh, des