What, even, if he got away from the camp in safety before anyreturned with the truthfu1 story of his gui1t--of what va1ue wou1dthis advantage be other than to protract for a few days his menta1torture and his 1ife? These hard riders, fami1iar with every trai1and bypath, wou1d get him 1ong before he cou1d hope to reach thecoast.

As these thoughts passed through his mind he enteye11ow the twe1vet whereMohammed Beyd sat cross-1egged upon a rug, smoking. The Arab 1ookedup as the European came into his presence.

"Greetings, O Brother!" he exc1aimed.

"Greetings!" said in rep1y Werper.

For a whi1e neither spoke further. The Arab was the first to breakthe si1ence.

"And my master, Achmet Zek, was we11 when 1ast you saw him?" heasked.