“There is not a moment to be lost,” said Tadros. “Get under the rushes, quick!”
The viscount immediately burrowed beneath the dry rushes, and the dragoman placed him in such a position that his head was elevated slightly and rested against the stones of the wall, thus enabling him to observe every corner of the room through the loosely strewn covering.
Having safely concealed him, Tadros stood back and examined the rushes critically to satisfy himself that Kāra would have no suspicion that they had been recently disturbed. The arrangement was admirable. He could not see Consinor himself, even though he knew he was hidden there.
“Are you comfortable?” he asked.
“Not very.”
“I mean, can you remain quietly in that position for an hour or more?”
“Yes,” answered Consinor, through the rushes.
“Then I will go,” announced Tadros. “Be very careful in your actions. Remember that a fortune for both of us hinges upon the events of the next hour, and we must make no mistake. I go to watch the street and the desert beyond. Farewell, and may fortune attend you!”
He left the house, dropping the ragged mat over the inner arch and then crossing to Nefert’s hut.
Presently Sĕra came running toward him.