Islam. He said to himself, "If he knows nothing about my
experience in the desert and my failure to find the treasure, I will
give no second thought to this imaginary war of nations." While he
listened to his strange and fervent warnings, he determined to find out
if he knew what had happened. When the African paused, he said:

"Pray tell me, O my father, if it was known to you the things that
befell me in the desert. If not, I have much to tell you."

The African was far away; only his emaciated body was in the cell when
Michael spoke; when he drew back his mind to his material presence, he
met Michael's questioning eyes; his own were tragic and stricken.

"These things are past, my son, in this new world of despair and
suffering there is no place for them. Very often I saw you, very often
you were in great trouble, trouble as the world understood trouble in
the days of peace. But because of the avarice of ungodly rulers there
is sorrow and mourning coming to the world, which will teach men that
they knew not the meaning of anguish. In the Armageddon they will
understand the suffering of the Prophet Jesus, the Man of Sorrows Who
was acquainted with grief."

Michael, convinced that the seer's mind was obsessed with this one
idea, accepted the fact philosophically; he shrank from asking him the
more personal questions he wished answered. Nevertheless, he was
extremely curious to learn if he was ignorant of the result of his
expedition.

"Tell me, my father, did you see me securing the great treasure of gold
and jewels which I went into the desert to find? Did you know how
greatly I have reaped my reward?"

"My son, speak to me of the truth which is in thy heart, not of lies."
His angry eyes rebuked Michael. "Stand fast to truth and justice. The
men of truth shall find a rich reward--they do not sit in the company
of liars."

"I ask your forgiveness, O my father. Truly I spoke not after the
fashion of those who have understanding."

"My son, I have seen what I have seen. Your deeds of charity are known
to God, His power extends over all things; not a chicken cheeps in the
egg-shell but He has created. Your trials and losses are known to Him,
they are His ordaining. Because of your weakness and the carnal
thoughts and desires which were in your heart, God saw fit to remove
the treasure from your sight. Again in the days of peace you must seek
it, in the bowels of the earth it is laid up for you."