“Those who bring peace find it,” answered Rupert.
Then Ibrahim dismounted and walked forward alone, leaving his servant to hold his horse. Rupert also walked forward until they met and exchanged salutations.
“Bey,” said Ibrahim, surveying Rupert’s garb with his flashing eyes, “you have changed your dress since last we spoke yonder on the hill above Abu-Simbel. Tell me, have you changed your heart also and become a servant of the Prophet whom I can greet as brother?”
“You had other names for me than brother at Abu-Simbel,” answered Rupert evasively. “What is your business, Sheik Ibrahim, with the merchant Mahommed, who, by the way, offers you his congratulations, having learned that now you also are a servant of the Government.”
“My business, Bey,” he replied, “has nothing to with the Government, or with you. Two women are travelling with you who are my property. Hand them over to me.”
“Two free women were travelling with me, Sheik, but I cannot give them to you as they are gone.”
“Whither?” asked Ibrahim.
“Really, I do not know, it is their own affair,” said Rupert calmly.
Now the sheik’s evil temper began to get the better of him.
“You lie,” he said. “I will search your camp, for they are hidden there.”