"Before I sanction any proceeding of the sort, I wish to ask why
Abdullah is apparently in league with your sworn enemy?" demanded Mr.
Fenshawe.
"The Governor of Massowah told me he was despatching an expedition to
the Five Hills," said Mrs. Haxton eagerly. "I was sure it would fail,
for reasons which the Baron has explained, but I bade Abdullah join the
_kafila_, seeing that we could not carry out our first plan of landing
lower down the coast. Then, if the Italian party received news of our
whereabouts, Abdullah would steal away and warn us. The mere fact that
he is not here now shows that our presence in this locality is
altogether unsuspected." Fenshawe seemed to weigh his words before he
answered.
"I prefer that Mr. Royson should go, and not Baron von Kerber," said
he. "On the understanding that he interferes with our rivals in no way
whatever, I shall be glad of his report. If we have failed, there is no
harm in knowing the facts. May I ask, Baron, have you any other
surprises to give us in the shape of history, ancient or modern?"
"I have nothing else to say," muttered the other.
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