“Allah knows I should count it an honor to behold that saint of yours,” said one of the soldiers at length, in a manner of resolution.
“And I also,” agreed the other in the same tone of belated conviction.
“That is easy. If Allah will, we shall find him without difficulty.”
“Let us go, then!”
“Slowly, slowly, O my two dear ones!” Hassan’s face turned cunning in the mold of thought. “Is our business settled quite? No, I think not so. We have not yet appointed an hour for the transaction. Let it be after to-morrow, toward the fifth hour of night. What say you?”
The soldiers shook their heads.
“No,” said each, upon reflection. “After to-morrow is the great feast of the Nazarenes—of half of them, that is to say; for the two halves quarrel so that they cannot even keep festival upon the same day.... It is the busiest of the year for us. We shall stop their fighting in the church; and after that, it is likely, we shall be called upon to keep order in the streets of the city. It is work enough for one day. Let our business stand over till the night beyond.”
“As you will,” said Hassan, playing indifference. “But I would have the goods as soon as possible. My eyes have perceived certain rascals in the garb of the Bedawi prowling near the castle and whispering with you soldiers. Now, I adjure you, face the matter! View it fairly with clean eyes! Are we not—my men and I—loyal servants of the Sultàn appointed from of old to guard the Eastern portals of this land, and so entitled to arms and ammunition like you others? As for the Bedû, what are they? Marauders, thieves, murderers—Allah knows them! It were a crime to give them the preference!”
The soldiers exchanged sly glances, swift as sword thrusts. Said one of them, cringing, “What sayest thou, O Excellency? The Bedû!... Allah pity! What Bedû?”
“Perchance,” thrust in the other with an air of extreme candor, “our good lord would allude to certain tribesmen who, calling themselves Catholics, are come up to fight at the feast.”