“Hast thou proof, Effendina?”
“I have proof enough; I shall have more soon. To save their lives, these, these will tell. I have their names here.” He tapped the papers. “There are ways to make them tell. Now, speak, effendi, and tell me what I shall do to Harrik.”
“Wouldst thou proclaim to Egypt, to the Sultan, to the world that the army is disloyal? If these guilty men are seized, can the army be trusted? Will it not break away in fear? Yonder Nubians are not enough—a handful lost in the melee. Prove the guilt of him who perverted the army and sought to destroy thee. Punish him.”
“How shall there be proof save through those whom he has perverted? There is no writing.”
“There is proof,” answered David calmly.
“Where shall I find it?” Kaid laughed contemptuously.
“I have the proof,” answered David gravely. “Against Harrik?”
“Against Prince Harrik Pasha.”
“Thou—what dost thou know?”
“A woman of the Prince heard him give instructions for thy disposal, Effendina, when the Citadel should turns its guns upon Cairo and the Palace. She was once of thy harem. Thou didst give her in marriage, and she came to the harem of Prince Harrik at last. A woman from without who sang to her—a singing girl, an al’mah—she trusted with the paper to warn thee, Effendina, in her name. Her heart had remembrance of thee. Her foster-brother Mahommed Hassan is my servant. Him she told, and Mahommed laid the matter before me this morning. Here is a sign by which thee will remember her, so she said. Zaida she was called here.” He handed over an amulet which had one red gem in the centre.