time, Effendi."

"Has there been time to get an answer? Do you believe my letter
reached Effendi Lampton, Abdul?" Michael asked the question
interestedly. Had this seer any second knowledge on the subject? Had
he the conviction that in the Valley of the Tombs of the Kings there
was no misgiving, no fear, that Margaret's heart was undisturbed?

Abdul knew what his master meant, but with his native dislike of giving
an unpleasant answer when a pleasant one would serve, he parried the
question.

"The honourable _Sitt_ has a noble nature, a clean heart. She is not
like Madam. The Effendi's thoughts make his own unhappiness, they are
not the thoughts of the gracious lady. The thoughts that come from her
travel on angel's wings; they gave the Effendi dreams last night."

"You are right, Abdul. Ah, thank goodness!" Michael gave an
exclamation of pleasure; he had caught a glint of sunshine, had felt a
breath of desert air. The Living Aton was penetrating the rat-pit.

"_Aiwah_, Effendi, that is the exit of the village. The _Omdeh's_
house is not far off--in less than five minutes the Effendi will be
reposing in his cool _selamlik_, his throat refreshed with caravan tea."

In a native house the _selamlik_ is a spacious room or summerhouse, set
apart for the receiving of guests. To Michael the _Omdeh's selamlik_
seemed like a foretaste of paradise. The _Omdeh_ was a courteous old
gentleman, who played the part of host and government official with a
simple dignity and friendly hospitality.

The open front of the _selamlik_ faced a beautiful orange orchard; low
seats, comfortably cushioned, ran round its three walls. The _Omdeh_
sat on his feet on his _mastaba_. His splendid turban and flowing
white robes gave him the appearance of a _Kadi_ dispensing justice from
his throne. Abdul and Michael reclined on the seat which faced him.
They had both been presented with an elaborate fly-switch, whose
handles were decorated with bright beads.

The old man was astonished and delighted to find that Michael could
speak Arabic. He was an intelligent, well-read man and something of a
politician, an ardent supporter of the British rule in Egypt. He was
greatly interested in all that Michael could tell him relating to the
news from the outer world.

In his turn, he expressed his regret that more trouble was not taken to
suppress the secret, seditious, and anti-English propaganda which was
being taught and preached in