The man looked keenly at his prisoner. Their clothing had been searched with scrupulous care, and he felt sure that no hiding-place could have been overlooked.
"It depends on who wanted to buy," he said cautiously.
"Suppose I wanted to buy."
"Then they would be worth two gold pieces each."
"That is beyond my means. I would not mind giving a gold piece for each of them."
"Where are the pieces to come from?"
"That is my business; perhaps I have them hidden in my mouth or my ears, or my hair."
"I dare not do it," the man said; "it might be noticed."
"Not if you managed it well," Akram said. "You might ride close up to me when the road happens to be narrow, and pass them in a moment; besides we are not thinking of escape now; but they may be useful to us afterwards."
"It is too great a risk," the man repeated irresolutely.