"Here," and the old Sheik took a packet from his breast and handed it to St. Just, "you will find my views put forth; in these papers have I set down the names of the men to whom the gold and silver is to be consigned. They are men of probity and judgment; men who, like myself, have been watching and working secretly year by year, in the face of obstacles almost insurmountable, to complete our plans.
"If things go right when I am gone, Halima will be Queen of Upper Egypt, for she will be the head of a powerful tribe—the strongest and most ancient of all the desert tribes. You, as her husband, will then occupy a high position; but it will be to you no sinecure. I doubt not that, though you are now one of us, the creed and nationality you have abjured, will be urged against you. At first you will meet with opposition, but you must not be discouraged, but exercise great tact and patience, and thus in time you will surmount it."
His voice had been getting gradually weaker, and now a pallor overspread his face, which also became damp with sweat.
"I faint; the draught!" he gasped, and his head dropped forward.
St. Just placed his arm around him and rested his head upon his shoulder; while Halima held a goblet, containing a stimulating and nourishing cordial, to his lips, watching him anxiously the while. He drank it eagerly, then closed his eyes. They feared the last moment had arrived, and St. Just placed his hand upon the old man's heart. Its pulsations were stronger than he had expected. The two watchers gazed at him with affectionate solicitude, but neither spoke a word.
In a few minutes, to their relief, the old warrior opened his eyes and raised his head. Then he began to speak once more. But Halima checked him.
"Oh! father," she cried, "be still a while; you are not strong enough for further speech at present."
"My strength has come back to me, my child," he said, "and I must use it while I may; and talking will not harm me. But I will first drink again."
Fearing that opposition would hurt him even more than would the effort of talking, Halima said no more, but again held the goblet to his lips.
"I can hold it," he said somewhat touchily, and he took it from her. He handed it back to her, and then resumed.