need know."

"Basha," said the Mahdi, "do you think you are talking to a child? Do
you think that when I came here my visit was not known to others than
ourselves outside? Do you think there are not some who are waiting for
my return? And do you think, too," he cried, lifting one hand and his
voice together, "that my Master in heaven would not see and know it on
an errand of mercy His servant perished? Ben Aboo, ask pardon of God, I
say; you are a fool."

The Basha's face became black and swelled with rage. But he was
cowed. He hesitated a moment in silence, and then said with an air of
braggadocio--

"And what if I do not liberate the girl?"

"Then," said the Mahdi, "if any evil befalls her the consequences shall
be on your head."

"What consequences?" said the Basha.

"Worse consequences than you expect or dream," said the Mahdi.

"What consequences?" said the Basha again.

"No matter," said the Mahdi. "You are walking in darkness, and do not
know where you are going."

"What consequences?" the Basha cried once more.