"Why didn't you say so before?" cried Reinecke. "Where is it?"
"The Herr Hauptmann will take me back into his service?"
"Dog, would you bargain with me? By your own confession you deserted to the enemy."
"I was compelled."
"You deserted all the same. Deserters are shot. Your only chance of escaping the penalty is to assist us--to show us the way into the nullah. You'll do that, and if you fail you'll be shot."
The Arab protested that he was sure of his ground, and would faithfully lead the troops to an entrance into the nullah which was at present wholly unsuspected by the Englishman. He described its position, and Reinecke's eyes sparkled with anticipation as he turned to Rudenheim and said--
"We have him, Major! We'll capture the place at little cost, and then---- Haroun, go and show the doctor your arm, and come to my quarters to-morrow."
"A moment," said the major. "You were flogged: what for?"
The Arab appeared to be for a moment disconcerted by the German's swift question. Then he answered:
"Because I would not work as hard as the Englishman wished, Herr Major."