“Yes, you can depend upon me. I am Emin Pasha’s friend.”
“Then will you grant what I have asked?”
“This very moment I grant what my friend asks. Establish your stations on the lake. I will issue orders to my chiefs to furnish corn to the soldiers who are stationed there.”
“I pray you for another favor.”
“Speak. I am ready to grant whatever you wish.”
“Biri [an Arab trader] left the coast for here two months ago and is detained by your people on the frontier. Issue an order for them to let him come.”
“And how do you know Biri is there?”
“I know it.”
“Who told you about it?”
“No one.”