houm! He will dig thy grave deep, and
wait long."

"He will work with me for Egypt, Effendina." Kaid's face darkened.

"What is thy meaning?"

"I ask Nahoum's life that he may serve under me, to do those things thou
and I planned yesterday--the land, taxation, the army, agriculture, the
Soudan. Together we will make Egypt better and greater and richer--the
poor richer, even though the rich be poorer."

"And Kaid--poorer?"

"When Egypt is richer, the Prince is richer, too. Is not the Prince
Egypt? Highness, yesterday--yesterday thee gave me my commission. If
thee will not take Nahoum again into service to aid me, I must not
remain. I cannot work alone."

"Thou must have this Christian Oriental to work with thee?" He looked at
David closely, then smiled sardonically, but with friendliness to David
in his eyes. "Nahoum has prayed to work with thee, to be a slave where
he was master? He says to thee that he would lay his heart upon the
altar of Egypt?" Mordant, questioning humour was in his voice.

David inclined his head.

"He would give up all that is his?"

"It is so, Effendina."

"All save Foorgat's heritage?"

"It belonged to their father. It is a due inheritance."

Kaid laughed sarcastically. "It was got in Mehemet Ali's service."

"Nathless, it is a heritage, Effendina. He would give that fortune back
again to Egypt in work with me, as I shall give of what is mine, and of
what I am, in the name of God, the all-merciful!"

The smile faded out of Kaid's face, and wonder settled on it. What
manner of man was this? His life, his fortune for Egypt, a country alien
to him, which he had never seen till six months ago! What kind of being
was behind the dark, fiery eyes and the pale, impassioned face? Was
he some new prophet? If so, why should he not have cast a spell upon
Nahoum? Had he not bewitched himself, Kaid, one of the ablest princes
since Alexander or Amenhotep? Had Nahoum, then, been mastered and won?
Was ever such power? In how many ways had it not been shown! He had
fought for his uncle's fortune, and had got it at last yesterday without
a penny of backsheesh. Having got his will, he was now ready to give
that same fortune to the good of Egypt--but not to beys and pashas and
eunuchs (and that he should have escaped Mizraim was the marvel beyond
all others!), or even to the Prince Pasha; but to that which would make
"Egypt better and greater and richer--the poor richer, even though the
rich be poo