“And that can never be forgiven.”

“What do I care about that?”

“Perhaps nothing; only——”

“Don’t hesitate. You drive a fellow mad with your long pauses,” exclaimed Max, almost angrily.

“Don’t get mad, there’s a good chap. They only roast the one who insults the chief.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. It is true; ask any of them. Now I don’t want to be either roasted, baked, or boiled, so I will have to accept the drummers, only——”

Again Ibrahim paused, and Max stood staring at him, but remained silent.

“Only I shall delay as long as I can.”

“We will get out of it.”