'No doubt. I will think of what you have said. And now, I pray you, partake of another refreshment and go in peace.'
At this all the chief men looked one at the other again, for they saw that Khaled would not tell them what they wished to know. And those of them who had doubted the story before now began to believe it. But they held their peace, and presently made their salutation and took their swords from the wall and departed.
Khaled then left the kahwah and returned to Zehowah in the harem.
'I have told them that these tales are lies,' he said, 'but they do not believe me.'
He repeated to Zehowah all that had been said, and she listened attentively, for she began to understand that there was danger not far off.
'And I told them,' he said at last, 'that it would be as easy for me to invent names, as for them to hear them. Then they looked sideways each at the other and kept silent.'
'This is a foolish thing which you have done,' answered Zehowah. 'They will now all believe that your father was an evildoer and that you yourself are no better. Otherwise, they will say, why should he wish to conceal anything? You should have told them the truth, whatever it is.'
'You also wish to know it, I see,' said Khaled, looking at Zehowah curiously. 'But if I were to tell you, you would not believe me, I think, any more than they would.'
Then Zehowah looked at him in her turn, but he could not understand the language of her eyes.
'What is this secret of yours?' she asked. 'I would indeed like to hear it, and if you swear to me that it is true, by Allah, I will believe you. For you are a very truthful man, and not subtle.'