“If I should live a thousand years, my Tadros,” he returned, “I could not spend the half of it.”
“Then why do you not pay these merchants?”
“Because I have at this time no more money in the bank, and it is not convenient for me to leave Cairo just now to secure a further supply.”
“Oh, I see!” remarked the dragoman, heaving a sigh of relief. “You must make another trip to Fedah.”
Kāra gave him one of those intent, thoughtful looks that always made Tadros uneasy; but when he spoke his voice sounded soft and pleasant.
“What causes you to think my treasure is at Fedah, my good friend?” he asked.
The tone reassured the dragoman.
“It stands to reason, my prince, that it is there,” he answered, with frank indifference. “Do I not well remember first seeing the papyri in your house, and afterward carrying away from there the heavy traveling case that was filled with precious gems?”
“Ah! was it?”
“Of course, Kāra. How else could you give so many ancient gems to the Van der Veens to recut, or turn so many more into money by selling them to Andalaft, the jeweler?”