“I said the kadi or his superior. Asad himself shall be our priest, his followers our witnesses.”
“And if he refuses? He will refuse!” she cried, clasping her hands before her in her excitement.
“I shall not ask him. I shall take him by surprise.”
“It... it must anger him. He may avenge himself for what he must deem a trick.”
“Ay,” he answered, wild-eyed. “I have thought of that, too. But it is a risk we must run. If we do not prevail, then—”
“I have the dagger,” she cried fearlessly.
“And for me there will be the rope or the sword,” he answered. “Be calm! They come!”
But the steps that pattered up the stairs were Ali’s. He flung upon the terrace in alarm.
“My lord, my lord! Asad-ed-Din is here in force. He has an armed following with him!”
“There is naught to fear,” said Sakr-el-Bahr, with every show of calm. “All will be well.”