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Updated: June 12, 2025
On every side eyes burned with religious zeal, and excited faces were turned towards the Effendina. At a certain point there were little groups of men with faces more set than excited. They had a look of suppressed expectancy. Kald neared them, passed them, and, as he did so, they looked at each other in consternation. They were Sharif's confederates, fanatics carefully chosen.
Three times, with slow and stately steps, the procession wound in a circle in the great square, before it approached the pavilion where the Effendina sat, the splendid camels carrying the embroidered tent wherein the Carpet rested, and that which bore the Emir of the pilgrims, moving gracefully like ships at sea.
"I would give a traitor to death for the country's sake. There is no other way." "To-night he shall die." "But with due trial, Effendina?" "Trial is not the proof sufficient?" "But if he confess, and give evidence himself, and so offer himself to die?" "Is Harrik a fool?" answered Kaid, with scorn. "If there be a trial and sentence is given, the truth concerning the army must appear. Is that well?
Presently the steamers opened fire, to encourage the besieged, who replied with frenzied shouts of joy, and soon there poured upon the sands hundreds of men in the uniform of the Effendina. These came forward at the double, and, with a courage which nothing could withstand, the whole circle spread out again upon the discomfited tribes of Ali Wad Hei. Dismay, confusion, possessed the Arabs.
Sharif had come at the right moment for Sharif. Kaid looked at him with dull yet anxious eyes. "Did I not command that none should enter?" he asked presently in a thick voice. "Am I not thy physician, Effendina, to whom be the undying years? When the Effendina is sick, shall I not heal?
David held back the quick retort that came to his tongue. "Half my fortune is in the ashes," he answered with dignity. "The rest came from savings never made before by this Government. Is the work less worthy in thy sight, Effendina, because it has been destroyed? Would thy life be less great and useful because a blow took thee from behind?" Kaid's face turned black.
Again there were elaborate salutations and salaams, and Kaid presently said: "Foorgat?" "Effendina," answered High, "it is not known how he died. He was in this Palace alive at night. In the morning he was found in bed at his own home." "There was no wound?" "None, Effendina." "The thong?" "There was no mark, Effendina." "Poison?" "There was no sign, Effendina." "Diamond-dust?"
Shall I have better judgment than the chancellories of Europe and England and Lord Eglington?" "Excellency, you know what moves other nations; but it is for Egypt to act for herself. You ask me why I did not go to the Effendina. I come to you because I know that you could circumvent the Effendina, even if he sent ten thousand men. It is the way in Egypt."
"Know then, Effendina," he said angrily, "that I am not thy subject, nor one beholden to thee, nor thy slave. Upon terms well understood, I have laboured here. I have kept my obligations, and it is thy duty to keep thy obligations, though the hand of death were on thee. I know not what has poisoned thy mind, and driven thee from reason and from justice.
Presently there entered behind him Sharif Bey, whose appearance was the signal for a fresh demonstration. Now, indeed, there could be no doubt as to Kaid's reaction. Yet if Sharif had seen Mizraim's face evilly gloating near by he would have been less confident. David was standing where Kaid must see him, but the Effendina gave no sign of recognition.
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