ime, if need be,
seems natural to the Oriental mind. Mizraim had seen removal follow upon
removal, and the dark Nile flowed on gloomily, silently, faithful to the
helpless ones tossed into its bosom. It would much have astonished him
if Nahoum had not shown a gaping darkness somewhere in his tale, and he
felt for the key to the mystery.

"And he who lies dead, excellency?"

"My brother."

"Foorgat Bey!"

"Even he, Mizraim. He lured the girl here--a mad man ever. The other
madman was in the next room. He struck--come, and thou shalt see."

Together they felt their way through the passages and rooms, and
presently entered the room where Foorgat Bey was lying. Nahoum struck a
light, and, as he held the candle, Mizraim knelt and examined the body
closely. He found the slight wound on the temple, then took the candle
from Nahoum and held it close to the corner of the marble pedestal. A
faint stain of blood was there. Again he examined the body, and ran his
fingers over the face and neck. Suddenly he stopped, and held the light
close to the skin beneath the right jaw. He motioned, and Nahoum laid
his fingers also on the spot. There was a slight swelling.

"A blow with the fist, excellency--skilful, and English." He looked
inquiringly at Nahoum. "As a weasel hath a rabbit by the throat, so is
the Inglesi in thy hands."

Nahoum shook his head. "And if I went to Kaid, and said, 'This is the
work of the Inglesi,' would he believe? Kaid would hang me for the
lie--would it be truth to him? What proof have I, save the testimony of
mine own eyes? Egypt would laugh at that. Is it the time, while yet the
singers are beneath the windows, to assail the bride? All bridegrooms
are mad. It is all sunshine and morning with the favourite, the Inglesi.
Only when the shadows lengthen may he be stricken. Not now."

"Why dost thou hide this from Kaid, O thou brother of the eagle?"

"For my gain and thine, keeper of the gate. To-night I am weak, because
I am poor. To-morrow I shall be rich and, it may be, strong. If Kaid
knew of this tonight, I should be a prisoner before cockcrow. What
claims has a prisoner? Kaid would be in my brother's house at dawn,
seizing all that is there and elsewhere, and I on my way to Fazougli, to
be strangled or drowned."

"O wise and far-seeing! Thine eye pierces the earth. What is there to
do? What is my gain--what thine?"

"Thy gain? The payment of thy debt to me." Mizraim's face lengthened.
His was a