"Well, what news? Nothing bad, I hope?"
Naoum turned his eyes away, and the strange look deepened on his face. George was quick to notice it.
"Yes, there is, I see it in your face. Tell me, I don't mind; it can't be worse than death, and I have already faced that often."
"Arabi is a strange man," replied Naoum, as though thinking aloud. "He appears to have no will of his own. This man Arden has him under his thumb. Death," he went on, turning his strong face towards his companion, "would be a blessing to that which I am afraid will be your lot, unless——"
"Unless what?" eagerly demanded Helmar.
"Unless we can prevent it," replied Naoum slowly.
"What is this dreadful fate you anticipate?" asked George with a sinking heart, as his friend's ominous words fell on his ears.
"After you had gone I endeavoured to draw from him what he intended doing with you. I felt convinced that some plans were revolving in his mind, and I wished, for our guidance, to discover them. In this conviction I am certain I was right. He assured me that he had no intention of having you executed, but he hung so persistently on the fact that you possessed information of the plans of the British Commander, that I knew he intended to force you to speak. Your enemy Arden has done his work well, for, with all the persuasion in my power, I could not move this foolish man in his belief. I fear that he intends to have you 'interrogated' at Cairo."
"Tortured, do you mean?" asked George in dismay.
"Yes, that is what it means, I fear. The barbarity of these inhuman creatures is frightful, and they carry out the rites of the Inquisition to the full extent of its cruelty. However," he went on, his face clearing a little, "although I tried to dissuade him, I was not altogether unprepared for this development, and you can rely on me not to lose a point in your favour. We must outwit these men somehow."