“To Agadez?” he echoed in concern. “You are not going alone? It is not safe. Surely the mere love of adventure has not induced you to set out on such a perilous ride?”
“I am fulfilling an urgent mission,” I answered vaguely.
“Bien! and one fraught with more dangers than you imagine. What possible object can you have in risking your life in journeying to the City of the Sorcerers, which, if all reports are true, is extremely unsafe for Christians on account of the fanatical character of the inhabitants?”
“The object of my journey is a secret,” I said. “I have promised to attempt it, and must accomplish it at all hazards.”
“And the person you have promised is a woman—eh?” he hazarded, laughing.
“Who told you?” I asked, starting in surprise.
“Oh, I merely guessed,” he answered. “But, speaking candidly, I would urge you most strongly to abandon the idea.”
“I cannot,” I said. “All my happiness—my whole future depends upon whether I accomplish the journey successfully. Besides, I have not hesitated before to cross the Desert, why should I now?”
“Because many of the regions through which you must pass to get to Assiou to join the route to Agadez are peopled by tribes intensely hostile. Their prejudice against Europeans is even greater than in Morocco, therefore it will require considerable courage to face such insurmountable barriers.”
“It is not a question of courage,” I said; “it’s a matter of duty.”