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"Arabi is not likely to kill us, I think; but should he be away we may be at the mercy of some subordinate officer who, as likely as not, may wish to get rid of us to curry favour with his chief. It is as well to be prepared for the worst." Helmar remained silent, he was thinking of Naoum and the letter which the man, Belbeis, was carrying to him. Belbeis had told him that Naoum was here.
George stepped in quickly, and the door was closed behind him. The man bolted and barred it as though the place was in a state of siege. "Step this way," he said, evidently relieved at having got him safely in and the door secured. Helmar followed the man to the end of the passage, where, flinging open another door, his host ushered him into a well-lighted room.
After his late experience, George realized what the appearance of a white face on board might mean to his protector, and for the rest of the journey kept out of sight. After what had happened, Helmar was prepared for almost anything when he actually arrived at Alexandria. For some time past everybody had been possessed of the feeling that something serious was about to happen.
Everything but Helmar's money was lost, and as they sat on the bank, shivering in their wet clothes, they gazed ruefully after the rapidly disappearing boat. "Well," said Helmar in resigned tones, "you've got your wish, Arden, we must now find another means of conveyance, and in the meantime you will get a chance of stretching your legs."
When Helmar got outside he could scarcely refrain from shouting for joy. The very first engagement he had been in, it seemed, he had distinguished himself and received the Colonel's congratulations. It seemed too good to be true. And yet the Colonel had said it himself. "Bah!" he muttered, "I did no more than the others did yes, but very likely they got praised too."
Helmar and his companions soon reached and crossed the railway, and, pressing on, the main body was quickly lost to view, and the work of scouring the country began in earnest. Helmar was very quick to learn his duties.
Brian, you and Helmar remain here; don't advance. I am going to join the sergeant's party. If you hear the sound of fire-arms from that direction, you two will join us at once; and if not, in twenty minutes from now strike a light and I shall rejoin you. Don't make any mistake. Helmar, I shall leave you in charge."
The work of receiving the submission of the troops seemed as if it would never end, and Helmar, wearied beyond words with the work, felt that he was at the limit of bodily endurance. At last it was over, and he was at liberty to take his rest. He sought out his two friends, who had been occupied in a similar manner, and the three men set out in search of quarters.
"Of what are the authorities afraid?" asked Helmar, as he listened with keen interest to his companion's explanations. "I can't quite say. My own opinion is a native rising. There are several big Pashas the Government would not trust as far as they can see, and, for my part, I think nothing is more likely than that one of these should head a rebellion against the power of the Khedive."
"Our Mary? Then why didn't she marry him?" "Marry Helmar?" "Yes. If my mother wants gold, there it is for her." "He's the child of pirates; there's blood on his gold; he poured it out before my mother, and she told him so. He's the making of a pirate himself. Oh, you've never heard, I see.
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