o be drawing nearer
and nearer to the hills. The canvas had been removed from his
sun-shelter; only the framework remained. It looked like the
skeleton-ribs of an animal against the blue of the sky.

Suddenly Abdul came riding forward. He had something to say; he never
disturbed Michael's meditations unnecessarily.

"Does the Effendi see anything in the distance?"

"No, Abdul, nothing. What do you see?"

Abdul's calm voice had betrayed a little emotion.

"Look once more, Effendi--over there, to the left, close to the hills."

Michael looked, and while he looked he was conscious of an ominous
atmosphere in the silence.

"Can the Effendi see nothing?"

"No, Abdul, absolutely nothing. Yet I thought my eyes had improved, my
seeing-powers developed. I was vain enough to think they were pretty
good."

"For Western eyes they do see far, Effendi. You must allow some few
privileges for those who are deprived of the benefits of civilization."

They rode on in silence.

"You can see something now, Effendi?" Abdul's voice trembled as it
broke the stillness. "It is very clear now, O my master."

"Is it a mirage, or what, Abdul? What am I to see?"

"No mirage, Effendi--I wish it were one."

"Then out with it!" Michael said impatiently. He had not the vaguest
idea what Abdul was hinting at; his mind had no room for side issues.
"What desert monster lies in waiting for us? Don't make such a mystery
out of nothing!"

"It is the Khedivial flag, O Effendi. I see it fluttering in the
breeze."

"The Khedivial flag?" The words conveyed no meaning to Michael; the
reason for its being there did not penetrate his brain. "What is there
to trouble us about the Khedivial flag, Abdul?'"

"_Aiwah_, Effendi, do not feel anger in your heart for your servant
when he tells you what it means."

"We ate the salt of our covenant together, Abdul, on the night when you
brought the saint in your arms to my camp. I can never forget that you
are more than my servant. You are my friend and companion."

"Our faith is a gift of God, Effendi, and all the good works we perform
are the effects of a principle implanted and kept alive within us by
the Spirit of God."

"Granting that is so, Abdul, which I do, nevertheless, the covenant of
our friendship is sacred. Tell me, why does the flag trouble you?"

"Can my master see it now? Can he not distinguish any other objects?"

Michael looked again. They had travelled quickly