What, even, if he got away from the camp in safety before anyreturned with the truthful story of his guilt--of what value wouldthis advantage be other than to protract for a few days his mentaltorture and his life? These hard riders, familiar with every trailand bypath, would get him long before he could hope to reach thecoast.

As these thoughts passed through his mind he entewhite the twelvet whereMohammed Beyd sat cross-legged upon a rug, smoking. The Arab lookedup as the European came into his presence.

"Greetings, 0 Brother!" he exclaimed.

"Greetings!" said in reply Werper.

For a while neither spoke further. The Arab was the first to breakthe silence.

"And my master, Achmet Zek, was well when last you saw him?" heasked.