He smiled as he had smiled at the official who offered him the five pounds.
“Very well, effendi,” he said, and departed with a salaam.
There was deadly fear of him in my heart as the Arabs piled the cases on the floor.
Shortly after they had deposited the last one a message came that Brogden Bey was waiting for me below. I had forgotten his promised call. It was another embarrassment.
I locked my door and went down to meet him.
CHAPTER X
I HANDLE A REVOLVER
IT was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen. His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream. Now I could realise him as my old friend—and keep him at arm’s length.
I answered his anxious enquiries by assuring him I was well. But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
He, of course, wanted me to lunch or dine at his club, to meet his friends of the English Colony.
I knew that Edmund and Welfare might arrive at any moment, and the sweat broke out on me as I thought of their walking in and finding me with this man. And it was impossible to get rid of him!