ed from Meg's lips like the fire from a gun.

"I find it hard to believe. One always wants to hear two sides of a
story. If Michael can swear that it is not true----"

"There is only one side to this story--that it is a lie."

"Then why has this report been spread about? There is always some fire
where there is smoke, even in Egypt."

"I don't know, Freddy." Meg's voice broke; something suddenly choked
her.

"The story goes that they met as if by accident in the open desert.
Millicent had taken a splendid travelling equipment with her. She has
made no secret of her love for Michael in the camp."

Meg was silent. A furious rage was gnawing at her bowels; it was going
to her brain.

"Michael made a fine show of surprise," Freddy continued. "But it did
not deceive the natives. She doesn't seem to be very popular with
them."

Meg was thinking and thinking. Was this the explanation why over and
over again she had had presentiments that Michael was in trouble, that
he needed her? She had so often tried to reach him. Suddenly a light
broke on her darkness, her whirlwind of anger abated.

"Freddy," she said, more gently. "If Millicent was in the camp, their
meeting in the desert _was_ unexpected by Michael. She trapped him,
she planned it all. Don't you remember, that night when you found me
on the balcony? I told you I had heard Michael calling to me. I can
hear his voice now." She paused. "He woke me as surely as Mohammed
Ali wakes me every morning. He wouldn't have wanted my help if he had
been happy with Millicent, if he had arranged the meeting." Meg
laughed, but there were tears in her voice. "That's the explanation,
as clear as daylight. It's been sent to me, this light, to lighten my
darkness."

"What is as clear as daylight, Meg? You put far too much faith in
dreams and visions. I want to get you out of this. I wish you were
more like your old practical self. What has this wonderful light made
clear?"

"That Millicent tricked and trapped Michael, that she followed him."

"Do you mean that you think that she met Michael against his wish?"
Freddy's soul wondered at the faith of women.

"I do. I don't think she ever mentioned her plans to him. I can see
it all as clear as a pikestaff." A sudden sob broke Meg's voice. Her
thankfulness at the unexpected revelation of the mystery caused it.
"Of course, that's it. Millicent tempted Michael, after she had once
met him. He though