ure. I had part of a raided sheep for breakfast."

"Um-m-m! Well of all the--damn his impudence! The shrewd old
devil must have figured that we can't get after him for it,
seeing how he's playing our game. Bloody old horse-thief! Well,
he gets away with it, this time. You'll have to be mighty
careful not to seem to recognize me. One slip and we're done
for. You're safe enough. If they once get wise to me they'll
pull me in pieces between four horses."

"What's your plan?"

"It's vague yet. Got to be an opportunist. I'm supposed to
be a member of the ben Saoud family, recruiting members for
the new sect--biggest thing in Arabia. I'm invited to the
conference on the strength of my supposed connection with the
big Ichwan movement."

"D'you propose to murder this Abdul Ali person, then, or have him
murdered?" I asked.

"Uh-uh! Murder's out of my line. Besides, that'ud do no good.
Worse than useless. They'd all cut loose. Abdul Ali has got
them together. What with bribes and a lot of promises he has
them keen on this raid. If he were killed they'd say one of our
spies did it. They'd add vengeance to their other motives, which
at present are mainly a desire for loot. No, no. Abdul Ali has
got to disappear. Then they'll believe he has betrayed them.
Then, instead of raiding Palestine they'll confiscate his
property and curse his ancestors. D'you see the point?"

"More or less. But what good can I do?"

"Do you mind if I use you?"

I laughed. "That's a hell of a silly question. Any use my
minding? You've already used me. You will do it again without
consulting me. I like it, as it happens. But a fat lot you
care whether I like it or not. Isn't it a bit late in the day
to ask permission?"

"Oh, well. You know the hangmen always used to beg the victim's
pardon. Will you obey orders?"

"Yes. But it might be easier if I know what I'm doing."

"As soon as I know I'll explain," he answered. "Where you can
fit into the puzzle at the moment is by rooting for the school
idea. The worst robber chieftain from the farthest cluster of
huts he calls his home town would like to see an American school
here in El-Kerak. If there were one he'd send his sons to it."

"Okay. I'll root like a dog for a buried bone."

"Go to it. That gives you the right to ask questions. That will
oblige ben Nazir to introduce you to any one you want to
interview. That will explain without any further argum