“Then,” said the Mahdi, “if any evil befalls her the consequences shall be on your head.”
“What consequences?” said the Basha.
“Worse consequences than you expect or dream,” said the Mahdi.
“What consequences?” said the Basha again.
“No matter,” said the Mahdi. “You are walking in darkness, and do not know where you are going.”
“What consequences?” the Basha cried once more.
“That is God's secret,” said the Mahdi.
Ben Aboo began to laugh. “Light the infidel out of the Kasbah,” he shouted to his people.
“Enough!” cried the Mahdi. “I have delivered my message. Now woe to you, Ben Aboo! A second time I have come to you as a witness, but I will come no more. Fill up the measure of your iniquity. Keep the girl in prison. Give her to the Sultan. But know that for all these things your reward awaits you. Your time is near. You will die with a pale face. The sword will reach to your soul.”
Then taking yet another step nearer, until he stood over the Basha where he lay on the ground, he cried with sudden passion, “This is the last word that will pass between you and me. So part we now for ever, Ben Aboo—I to the work that waits for me, and you to shame and contempt, and death and hell.”