"You shall know in the morning—you alone. This man, who can neither hear nor speak, and the child with him, must stay in here tonight, and go when they choose, unquestioned."
"Jimgrim, this is not a place for setting traps for criminals.
Set your watch outside, and none shall interfere with you."
"'Shall the heart within be cleansed by washing hands?'" Grim quoted, and the shiekh smiled.
"Do you mean there are criminals within the mosque? If so, this is sanctuary, Jimgrim. They shall not be disturbed. Set watchmen at the doors and catch them as they leave, if you will. This is holy ground."
"There'll be none of it left to boast about this time tomorrow, if you choose to insist!" Grim answered.
"Should there be riddles between you and me?" asked the sheikh.
"You shall know all in the morning."
The sheikh's face changed again, taking on a look of mingled rage and cunning.
"I know, then, what it is! The rumour is true that those cursed Zionists intend to desecrate the place. This fellow, who you say is deaf and dumb, is one of your spies—is he not? Perhaps he can smell a Zionist—eh? Well, there are others! Better tell me the truth, Jimgrim, and in fifteen minutes I will pack this place so full of true Moslems that no conspirator could worm his way in! Then if the Jews start anything let them beware!"
"By the beard of your Prophet," Grim answered impiously, "this has nothing to do with Zionists."