Nahoum's eyes half closed. Lacey was getting to close quarters with suspicion and allusion; but it was not his cue to resent them yet.
"I had come now to offer him help; to advance him enough to carry through his expedition."
"Well, that sounds generous, but I guess he would get on without it, pasha. He would not want to be under any more obligations to you."
"He is without money. He must be helped."
"Just so."
"He cannot go to the treasury, and Prince Kaid has refused. Why should he decline help from his friend?" Suddenly Lacey changed his tactics. He had caught a look in Nahoum's eyes which gave him a new thought. "Well, if you've any proposition, pasha, I'll take it to him. I'll be seeing him to-night."
"I can give him fifty thousand pounds."
"It isn't enough to save the situation, pasha."
"It will help him over the first zareba."
"Are there any conditions?" "There are no conditions, effendi." "And interest?"