Sheykh Ab el-Ghrennem looked at her and smiled. "Ma aleyk," he said in what were meant to be reassuring tones.
"He says," interpreted Atewy, "that thou hast nothing to fear—that there shall no evil befall thee."
"You tell him," replied Rhonda, "that it will be just too bad for him if any evil does befall us and that if he wants to save his skin he had better return us to our people pronto."
"The Bedauwy are not afraid of your people," replied Atewy, "but if you do what the sheykh asks no harm will come to you."
"What does he want?" demanded Rhonda.
"He wishes you to help us find the valley of diamonds," replied Atewy.
"What valley of diamonds?"
"It is on this map which we cannot read because we cannot read the language of el-Engleys." He pointed at the map the sheykh was holding.
Rhonda glanced at the paper and broke into laughter. "You don't mean to tell me that you dumb bunnies kidnapped us because you believe that there is a valley of diamonds! Why, that's just a prop map."
"Dumb bunnies! Prop! I do not understand."