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Updated: June 23, 2025
He glanced with disdain at Higli. A smile rose like liquid in the eye of Nahoum and subsided, then he turned to Higli inquiringly. "I have come on business, Excellency; the railway to Rosetta, and " "To-morrow or the next day," responded Nahoum irritably, and turned again to Lacey.
Only Nahoum Pasha had noticed his arrested look, so motionless did he sit; and now, without replying, he bowed gravely and deferentially to Kaid, who rose from the table. He followed with the rest. Presently the Prince sent Higli Pasha to ask his nearer presence. The Prince made a motion of his hand, and the circle withdrew. He waved David to a seat.
Achmet rubbed his cold palms together in satisfaction. "And Prince Kaid, Effendina?" asked Higli cautiously. The fanatical eyes turned away. "The question is foolish have ye no brains?" he said impatiently. A look of malignant triumph flashed from Achmet to High, and he said, scarce above a whisper: "May thy footsteps be as the wings of the eagle, Effendina.
Yet Higli had a conviction that Nahoum's alliance with David was a sham, and that David would pay the price of misplaced confidence one day. More than once when David's plans had had a set-back, Higli had contrived a meeting with Nahoum, to judge for himself the true position.
There was a crisis in the Soudan, there was trouble in the army, there was dark conspiracy of which he knew the heart, and anything might happen to-morrow! He had yet some cards to play, and Achmet and Higli and another very high and great might be delivered over to Kaid's deadly purposes rather than himself tomorrow. What he knew Kaid did not know.
Only Nahoum and Higli were left, and between these two there had never been partnership or understanding. Nahoum was not the man to trust to confederates, and Higli Pasha was too contemptible a coadjutor. Nahoum had faith in no one save Mizraim the Chief Eunuch, but Mizraim alone was better than a thousand; and he was secret and terrible.
Kaid looked at him meditatively, and gave no answer to the question. "He reached too far," he muttered. "Egypt has one master only." The door opened softly and the black slave stole in. His lips moved, but scarce a sound travelled across the room. Kaid understood, and made a gesture. An instant afterwards the vast figure of Higli Pasha bulked into the room.
It was Higli no, Digli Sahib accursed be the day I first saw him." Desmond drew a long breath. "And what became of the bibi and the chota bibi?" "They were taken away." "Whither?" "I do not know." The answer was glib; Desmond thought a little too glib. "Why then, khansaman," he said, "I fear it would be vain for me to reason with the man I spoke of.
I went at once to see Claridge Pasha, but found him not. Does he know, think you?" he added sadly. "May your heart never be harder than it is, pasha, and when I left the Saadat an hour ago, he did not know. His messenger hadn't a steamer like Higli Pasha there. But he was coming to see you; and that's why I'm here. I've been brushing the flies off this sore on the hump of Egypt while waiting."
"I am sick of thy yellow, sinful face." Achmet made no reply, but, as he passed beyond the door with Higli, he said in a whisper: "Come to Harrik and the army! He shall be deposed. The hour is at hand." High answered him faintly, however. He had not the courage of the true conspirator, traitor though he was.
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