'But you are cunning, and have not our code of honour,' I objected, with satirical intention, though the statement sounded brutal.
'Your Honour says so!' cried Rashîd, half weeping. 'No doubt you are referring to that theft in the hotel, of which you thought so little at the time that you would take no action. That was the doing of a Greek, as was established. Say, can you of your own experience of children of the Arabs say that one of us has ever robbed you of a small para, or wronged you seriously?'
'I cannot,' was my answer, after brief reflection. 'But the experience of other, older men must weigh with me.'
'Let other men judge people as they find them, and do thou likewise,' said Suleymân.
'He urged me to give up this aimless wandering and go with him in search of an old Greek inscription, not far off. Within four days he hopes to see El Cuds again; and thence he urged me to return to England.'
At that my two companions became silent and exceeding still, as if some paralysing fear hung over them. It was the hour immediately before the dawn, and life seemed hopeless. The missionary's voice seemed then to me the call of duty, yet every instinct in my blood was fierce against it.
'Your Honour will do what he pleases,' said my servant mournfully.
'The Lord preserve thee ever!' sighed Suleymân. 'Thou art the leader of the party. Give command.'
A streak of light grew on the far horizon, enabling us to see the outlines of the rugged landscape. A half-awakened wild-bird cried among the rocks below us. And suddenly my mind grew clear. I cared no longer for the missionary's warning. I was content to face the dangers which those warnings threatened; to be contaminated, even ruined as an Englishman. The mischief, as I thought it, was already done. I knew that I could never truly think as did that missionary, nor hold myself superior to Eastern folk again. If that was to be reprobate, then I was finished.
'Saddle the horses. We will start at once,' I told Rashîd. 'Before the missionary is afoot—towards the East.'