Girzilla had become a most important factor to consider.
She had conversed with the Persian shawl manufacturer, and had told him she believed that Mameluke blood ran in her veins.
This set Sherif thinking.
The Mamelukes were originally slaves, brought from the Caucasus.
When Selim the First overthrew the Mameluke kingdom in 1517, he was compelled to allow twenty-four of their number to remain governors of provinces.
Ten of these beys were Arabians, and rumor declared that at least three of them were descended from the Prophet Mahomet.
To find the last of the Mamelukes was an important step, for he would have the record of his race, and might direct the pilgrims to the mahdi, who was shortly expected.
Girzilla could help them in this, if she really possessed Mameluke blood, for she would know the signs and signals which bound together that most powerful body of men.
The Mamelukes were a brotherhood, having secret signs, and possessed of all the fraternal strength of the Free Masons.
That was the reason Sherif asked the question: