"Even now it would be easy to furnish—accidents for you."
"But not wise, Highness, till my story is told."
"Sadik Pasha suspects you."
"I suspect Sadik Pasha," answered Dicky.
"Of what?" inquired Ismail, starting. "He is true to me—Sadik is true to me?" he urged, with a shudder; for if Sadik was false in this crisis, with Europe clamouring for the payment of debts and for reforms, where should he look for faithful knavery?
"He will desert your Highness in the last ditch. Let me tell your
Highness the truth, in return for saving my life. Your only salvation
lies in giving up to the creditors of Egypt your own wealth, and also
Sadik's, which is twice your own."
"Sadik will not give it up."
"Is not Ismail the Khedive master in Egypt?"
"Sit down and smoke," said Ismail eagerly, handing Dicky a cigarette.
………………….