CHAPTER XXV
NAOUM PLANS
The next morning, as Mariam had promised, Naoum presented himself. George had not seen him for many weeks, and was prepared for some slight change in his appearance; he knew that Naoum had much to trouble him, much opposition to contend with, and, consequently, expected that the serenity of his expression would bear traces of the mental strain of his position; but it was not so. The cheery, smiling face was the same as ever, and he greeted Helmar as if no matters of moment had ever weighed on his mind, the firm, set jaw and smooth forehead giving not the slightest indication of what was passing within.
"My mother tells me you are once more sound and well," he said, gazing admiringly at the straight, lithe figure in front of him. "It is good, for the time has now arrived for action."
He paused, and looked thoughtfully out of window. "Before I disclose my plan, there is one question I must ask you," he said at last. "Perhaps it will seem a strange one, but I have reasons."
"Go ahead," replied George, all anxiety to hear anything this man had to say.
"Have you had occasion to use the sign I gave you at Damanhour?"
"Only that once with your people in the railway train," replied George, at once.
"Has my mother spoken to you of the matter in hand when there has been any one near enough to have possibly overheard the conversation?"
"Decidedly not," was the prompt reply.