Michael stared. "No, Abdul, no, I have never thought of such a thing."
"The Effendi has a beautiful mind. The beloved saint, whom Allah has seen fit to remove from our sight, had a heart no more free from evil."
"But, Abdul. . . ." Michael stopped. His mind was suddenly filled with new thoughts. Abdul's suggestion had opened up a deep chasm of ugly suspicions; his whole being seemed to have fallen into it. Abdul waited.
"Madam was terrified—she was flying from the danger of smallpox. She would think of nothing but of getting safely back to civilization, I feel certain."
"Aiwah, Effendi, but the honourable Sitt has a woman's soul, and a woman's soul has often been sold for gold and jewels and much fine raiment."
"That is true, Abdul."
Had not Millicent stooped to the lowest means of trapping him and of obtaining the information she desired? If she could do the one deed, why not the other?
But the idea was absurd. She was so totally ignorant of the geography of the desert. She had had no more idea of where she was going than a blind kitten. He reminded Abdul of the fact.
"Aiwah, Effendi, but the honourable Sitt had a spy in her camp. I have seen him at his work."
"What could he have discovered? You, I know, never discuss my affairs—we have never even talked of them together."