"Surely it is not difficult now that I am promised Your
Honor's protection!"
"My district extends half-way to Beersheba and to the eastward as far as the shore of the Dead Sea—no farther," said de Crespigny.
"I can wait. I must wait for the purchases from Jerusalem. Sooner or later there will be a caravan across the desert to El-Maan. I have two servants here to make inquiries for me."
"Yes, and two more who went to Jerusalem. Four men. Tell me this, Princess Ayisha: how came Ali Higg to trust you, alone with four men, on such a long and difficult journey?"
"Is he not my lord?"
"But the men?"
"Is he not also their lord? And he holds their wives and sons in trust at Petra."
"You'll admit it's unusual?"
"Do you find it strange that a woman should be faithful to her lord?"
"But to Ali Higg? He has a name—a reputation! How many wives has he?"