"But between friends?"
"Of course I am on the side of the Japanese," he answered. And then he added: "It is you who have gained by their victory."
I replied: "But will you not also gain?"
He answered gloomily: "We have not gained as yet. Not at all in Macedonia."
Then he asked how I had enjoyed my visit to Damascus. Selīm replied hastily:
"To-day she has had a great disappointment."
The Vāli looked concerned.
"Yes," continued Selīm, "she had hoped to see a chief of brigands, and she has found only a peaceful subject of your Excellency."
"Who is he?" said Nāzim.