that the servants must remain in ignorance of the real purpose of their
tour. They imagined that it was to visit the ancient Pharaoh's tomb.

Just as they were leaving the orchard the _Omdeh_ said: "There have
been strange rumours afloat, Effendi. Men say that a wealth of buried
treasure has been discovered in the hills to which you are travelling.
Is it known to you?"

"Indeed?" Michael said evasively. "What sort of treasure? Do the
authorities know of it? Who has discovered it?" He managed to speak
calmly and without emotion.

The _Omdeh_ threw back his head. "It is not worth a wise man's breath
inquiring. It is but one of the many foolish fables which travel with
the winds." He shrugged his shoulders.

"What started the rumour? Where did it originate? There is generally
some fire where there's smoke."

"Where do such things have their birth? It is no easier to discover
than the birthchamber of the anti-British propaganda in Egypt, Effendi."

"You do not attach any belief to the rumour?"

"_La_, Effendi. Who would believe that men are standing knee-deep in
jewels and precious stones, and that there is enough gold to build
three mosques in these hills, so near the village?"

Michael laughed. He remembered the reports which had been spread
abroad about the wealth of Freddy's find. One Englishman had heard
that Freddy had been wading ankle-deep in priceless scarabs and jewels
and gold collars and necklaces.

"You may well laugh, Effendi. The poor and ignorant will believe
anything. I must see the jewels first."

Michael wondered what he would say if he showed him the crimson
amethyst which had had its second hiding-place in the saint's ear.

"But who is reported to have found this King Solomon's mine?"

"Some poor man, whom no one has seen or spoken to--every man who tells
you the fairy-tale has heard it from his trusted friend, from a
reliable source. I never believe in these trusted friends, or any
reliable source but my own eyes. And even then, with the wise, seeing
isn't always believing."

Michael stole an unseen glance at Abdul. His face was as
expressionless as a death-mask. The report appeared to him to be
beneath contempt. He politely warned his master that the sun was not
so high in the heavens; they had many hours to travel.

When they were out of hearing and all the polite good-byes had been
spoken--a proceeding which is always a trying one to the impatient
traveller--M