Then comes the ceremonious leave-taking, and John manages to get through this with credit. He has undoubtedly made a deep impression on the Moorish beauty, who, catching the crumbs falling from her father's table of knowledge, has aspirations above being the wife of a Moor, who may also have a harem.
At last they start off, with the slave in the lead, and after passing through several rooms, which John views with interest, arrive at a wall.
Acting under the advice of his guide, John has assumed the burnoose again, for Mustapha carried it on his arm when he appeared.
"We will pass through this door, and reach another street. Are you ready, monsieur?"
John replies in the affirmative. The light is hidden under a basket, and then a sound is heard as of a door slowly opening.
"Pass through," whispers the guide.
Thus they reach the outside, and the wall resumes its innocent appearance. If they are fortunate, they will avoid the trouble that lay in wait at the door of the old Moor.
John no longer trembles in anticipation of what is to come. He has been disappointed, and yet bears his burden well.
His guide is yet cautious, believing that one is not safe until out of the woods. It is possible word may have been sent around among the strolling Moors and Arabs of the old town, that a Frank is wandering about in a burnoose under the care of Mustapha Cadi, and hence discovery, with its attendant desperate conflict, still to come.
By degrees they approach the boundary line, and will soon be safe.