a sort of murex--and
there's another kind that they catch at Sidon and then, of course,
there's the kind that's used for the dibaptha. But that's quite
different. It's--'

'Hold your tongue!' shouted the skipper. And the man held it.

The laden boat was rowed slowly round the end of the island, and was
made fast in one of the two great harbours that lay inside a long
breakwater. The harbour was full of all sorts of ships, so that
Cyril and Robert enjoyed themselves much more than their sisters. The
breakwater and the quays were heaped with bales and baskets, and crowded
with slaves and sailors. Farther along some men were practising diving.

'That's jolly good,' said Robert, as a naked brown body cleft the water.

'I should think so,' said the skipper. 'The pearl-divers of Persia are
not more skilful. Why, we've got a fresh-water spring that comes out at
the bottom of the sea. Our divers dive down and bring up the fresh water
in skin bottles! Can your barbarian divers do as much?'

'I suppose not,' said Robert, and put away a wild desire to explain
to the Captain the English system of waterworks, pipes, taps, and the
intricacies of the plumbers' trade.

As they neared the quay the skipper made a hasty toilet. He did his
hair, combed his beard, put on a garment like a jersey with short
sleeves, an embroidered belt, a necklace of beads, and a big signet
ring.

'Now,' said he, 'I'm fit to be seen. Come along?'

'Where to?' said Jane cautiously.

'To Pheles, the great sea-captain, said the skipper, 'the man I told you
of, who loves barbarians.'

Then Rekh-mara came forward, and, for the first time, spoke.

'I have known these children in another land,' he said. 'You know my
powers of magic. It was my magic that brought these barbarians to your
boat. And you know how they will profit you. I read your thoughts. Let
me come with you and see the end of them, and then I will work the spell
I promised you in return for the little experience you have so kindly
given me on your boat.'

The skipper looked at the Egyptian with some disfavour.

'So it was YOUR doing,' he said. 'I might have guessed it. Well, come
on.'

So he came, and the girls wished he hadn't. But Robert whispered--

'Nonsense--as long as he's with us we've got some chance of the Amulet.
We can always fly if anything goes wrong.'

The morning was so fresh and bright; their breakfast had been so good
and so unusual; they had actually seen the Amul