Abdullah obviously did not believe that von Kerber had
abandoned the quest. He fancied he was betrayed. If the chance offered,
he might be expected to throw in his lot with Alfieri.
Though Irene was listening, and Dick was sure she had hit on the true
cause of his anxiety, he determined to win Abdullah's loyalty. So he
told him of Mr. Fenshawe's resolve to follow the seaward route.
"Your interests, whatever they may be, are absolutely safe if you trust
us," he said. "The Baron, is only two marches ahead of us. He does not
know we are going the same way. He thinks we are making for Pajura, so
we will most certainly overtake him at the coast, if not earlier. Thus,
you can convince yourself of his good faith, and you can see for
yourself that the ultimate decision of affairs must rest with us."
The Arab bowed, but he kept a still tongue. Yet he admitted afterwards
that Royson's words had diverted him from his fixed Intent to steal off
when night fell, and urge Alfieri to pursue the runaways.
The Italian needed no urging.
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