“But my grandfather—” she began, eagerly.
Tadros cut her short.
“He also is safe, in proof of which you see him at your side. You need have no fears in the future that—”
He stopped abruptly, for the overwrought nerves of the girl could not withstand this sudden revulsion of fate. Gerald caught her swaying form and carried her to her berth, where Mrs. Everingham tended her lovingly and applied restoratives to relieve her faintness.
As for Lord Roane, he swore loudly and glared upon the dragoman.
“What cursed nonsense is this?” he cried.
Tadros smiled, and Gerald came up and seized the dragoman by both hands, pressing them warmly.
“Thank you, my man!” said he. “You are a loyal ally, and I shall not forget how you have lied to save us from an embarrassing position.” Then he turned to Lord Roane. “If there is anything your lordship does not understand,” he said, “I will gladly endeavor to explain it. Prince Kāra has been playing a deep game, with you and Aneth as pawns; but I think we have him checkmated at last.”
The old nobleman did not reply at once. Any questioning on his part would necessarily be a very delicate matter. He turned his eyes thoughtfully toward the shore, where the lights of Cairo were slowly disappearing from their view.