"Soon will, and then he will be alone and have you to thank for it."
The Egyptian drew himself up to his full height and answered, "You are wrong, sir. He who has no one has God, and if that brave man has suffered rather than do an evil act, will God forget him? No!"
"God will do as He thinks best without considering either you or me, sir," said the General. "But I have something to do and I will ask you to leave me.... Or wait one moment! Lest you should carry away the impression that because Colonel Lord has refused to obey his General's order the order will not be obeyed—wait and see."
He touched the bell and called for his Aide-de-camp.
"Tell Colonel Macdonald to come to me immediately," said the General, and when the Aide-de-camp had gone he turned to his desk for papers.
The Egyptian, who had never moved from his place by the sofa, now took one step forward and said in a low, quivering voice—
"General, I have appealed to you on behalf of my people and on your own behalf, but there is one thing more."
"What is it?"
"Your country."
The General made an impatient gesture, and the Egyptian said, "Hear me, I beg, I pray! Real as life, real as death, real as wells of water in a desert place, is their religion to the Muslemeen, and if you lay so much as your finger upon it your Government will die."