ry bravo of the
wilds to come and rob us."

This Iskender uttered in a tone of high impatience, and he was pleased
to observe, out of the corners of his eyes, that his patron approved of
that tone being used towards one who had designed to overcharge him.

"Well, Allah reward thee; for thou canst make no profit on it, that is
certain," said Elias with another shrug, and after that kept silence
for some minutes, resigning all part in the discussion. But soon, as
that discussion grew more animated, and the vision of the sea of gold
came dazzlingly before his eyes, he forgot his dudgeon and chimed in
once more, thus tacitly accepting the leadership of Iskender, who was
satisfied.

"When shall we start?" asked the Emir at last.

"Wheneffer you blease, dear sir," replied Iskender.

But Elias thought profoundly, visibly, with finger laid to brow.

"I think you better wait a bit, Iskender," he said presently. "I tell
you why. Just now there's no trafellers comin' to the country, so the
dragomans just stand around and jolly well watch all what you do. We
go now, it make a talk. Wait a month or two, in the name o' Moses,
then there's lots o' trafellers; they think about makin' money, and go
hang! I shan't want no trafellers this year. No jolly fear, by
George! I stick to you. Like that they think you got a brober
dragoman and all serene!"

This was sound advice, and, as it was proffered with the right
humility, Iskender commended it to his beloved.

CHAPTER XV

On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened
which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new
paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious
words. With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender
heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to
answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting
responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise
it. For instance Elias earnestly desired to know if Iskender could
have included the services of a first-rate cook in his estimate for the
expedition. The best of cooks, he vowed, was necessary for the honour
and contentment of their dearest lord. How was it to be done?

Iskender with eyes intent upon a spot of colour newly laid, with brush
in air, replied:

"Have no fear, O beloved. I shal