stop the slave-trade. If I took it and used it for him on the same
terms, he couldn't stop the slave-trade, though he might know no more
about the bargain than a babe unborn. And if he didn't stand by the
bargain I made, and did prohibit slave-dealing, nothing'd stop the tribes
till they marched into Cairo. He's been safe so far, because they
believed in him, and because he'd rather die a million deaths than go
crooked. Say, I've been among the Dagos before--down in Mexico--and I'm
onto you. I've been onto you for a good while; though there was nothing
I could spot certain; but now I've got you, and I'll break the 'perfect
friendship' or I'll eat my shirt. I'll--"

He paused, realising the crisis in which David was moving, and that
perils were thick around their footsteps. But, even as he thought of
them, he remembered David's own frank, fearless audacity in danger and
difficulty, and he threw discretion to the winds. He flung his flag
wide, and believed with a belief as daring as David's that all would be
well.

"Well, what wilt thou do?" asked Nahoum with cool and deadly menace.
"Thou wilt need to do it quickly, because, if it is a challenge, within
forty-eight hours Claridge Pasha and thyself will be gone from Egypt--or
I shall be in the Nile."

"I'll take my chances, pasha," answered Lacey, with equal coolness. "You
think you'll win. It's not the first time I've had to tackle men like
you--they've got the breed in Mexico. They beat me there, but I learned
the game, and I've learned a lot from you, too. I never knew what your
game was here. I only know that the Saadat saved your life, and got you
started again with Kaid. I only know that you called yourself a
Christian, and worked on him till he believed in you, and Hell might