always."

Iskender murmured his thanks, standing reverently, with hands folded
away and eyes downcast. Then, when Selim had gone back to his
dressing, he crossed his legs upon the pavement of the hall and mused
on his good fortune, praising Allah.

Elias came into the hall and greeted him.

"I have news for thee," he whispered; and Iskender, remembering the
Valley of the Kings, gave eager ear; but just then Selim, the son of
Musa, called from an inner room:

"Iskender is a convert, O Elias. He returns to the bosom of the
Church. The praise to Allah!"

"Is it true?" cried Elias, starting back and staring at the youth.
Perceiving no denial, he embraced him fondly, crying: "Our Lord bless
thee! Allah knows I always loved the soul of thee, though the
Brutestant stank in my nose; now from this day forth I am thy brother.
By the Most High, thou shalt lodge nowhere but in my house."

"May Allah reward thy hospitality, O Elias," cried again the son of
Musa. "The honour thou wouldst have is mine already."

"A pity!" sighed Elias, seeming really disappointed.

But the next minute, hearing steps upon the stairs, he brightened up,
and said in Iskender's ear:

"The Emir descends! Ah, I assure thee by the Holy Gospel, I have news
for both of you."

The Frank stayed only long enough for salutations, then passed again
from sight, going to breakfast. But though they were long alone,
without a listener, Elias refused to impart the matter of his news,
bidding Iskender wait till the Emir gave audience.

"Ah, I assure thee, news of price!" he repeated, hugging himself, with
big round eyes of mystery.

CHAPTER XIV

The news, when Elias did at last reveal it, was simply another of his
wondrous stories. The Frank, however, listened to it with some
interest as the three walked out together.

In the watches of the night Elias had remembered how years ago a
muleteer, by name Mansur, had brought a piece of gold to show him
secretly. This man had been upon a journey to the Wady Musa with some
English gentlemen of the kind who seek adventure in wild places. Out
in the desert, far away from any house, he had the misfortune to be
separated from his company, and wandered alone for three days in vain
attempts to rejoin them. At dusk one evening he found himself in a
wild ravine, its cliff-walls honeycombed with caves, in one of which he
chose to pass the night. No sooner had he lain down than he imagined
that he hear