The camp had moved on. Two days had passed since the saint had been
laid to rest. They were now making for a rock-village, which would
take them slightly out of their direct route, but from Abdul's account
of the place Michael thought that the delay would be well worth while.
A short extension of their journey could make but little difference to
the finding of the treasure.
The village was a subterranean one; its streets and dwelling-houses
were cut out of the desert-rock. It had been inhabited by desert
people since immemorial times. Obviously its origin had been for
secrecy and security. Fugitives had probably made it and lived in it
just as the early Christians, during their period of persecution, lived
in the catacombs in Rome.
Michael had been far from well for some days past. Abdul was anxious
about his health. There had been no fresh cases of smallpox in the
camp and Michael's present condition indicated a touch of fever rather
than any contagious malady. He often felt sick; he was easily tired
and his excellent powers of sleeping had deserted him.
He was troubled about Margaret. He had neither heard from her nor was
he certain that she had received any of his letters. During the
saint's illness he had written her two letters, which his friends at
the Bedouin camp had promised to deliver to the next desert
mail-carrier who passed their hamlet. He had sent a runner to the
village to which he had told Margaret that she was to write. The
runner returned, bearing no letter.
It was consistent with native etiquette that he should pay a visit to
the _omdeh_ of the subterranean village, which he wished to pass
through. Abdul had a slight acquaintance with him and, being more than
a little anxious about his master's health, he thought that Michael's
visit to him might prove of value should any serious illness overtake
him.
It was about three o'clock in the afternoon when they arrived at the
entrance of the village, an uninviting underground labyrinth, where the
sun never penetrated and where men, women and children lived in homes
cut out of the virgin rock. It was, of course, necessary to leave
their camels and go through the village on foot. Abdul told the
servants that he alone would go with his master; they were to meet them
in the desert at the other entrance to the village.
As Michael followed the tall figure of Abdul through the narrow
streets, which were as dark as railway tunnels, he felt horribly sick.
He was well accustomed to the torment of Egyptian flies, but these
particular flies belonged to the order of things whose deeds, being
evil, loved darkness. They covered his face and hands the very moment
after he had shaken them off. Do what he would, he could not keep them
away from the corners of his mouth or from going up his nostrils.
"Abdul," he said, "this gives one a new vision of hell. Look at those
disgusting children!" He pointed to the groups of pale mites, with
yellow skins and frail bodies, who were paying like puppies in the
garbage of the narrow pathway; their faces were covered with large
black house-flies--they hung in clusters from their eyes and ears and
from the corners of their mouths.
"_Aiwah_, Effendi, but these people will live in no other surroundings.
They prefer this darkness, this unwholesome atmosphere."
"And these awful flies?"
"_Aiwah_, Effendi. They seldom go up to see the sky; perhaps they have
never sung to the moon."
"To every bird his nest is home, Abdul."
"_Aiwah_, Effendi. But I will take you to the _Omdeh's_ house--we
shall soon be out of this."
"Is his house amongst these hovels?" Michael pointed to one
particularly dark cavern. Unlike the ordinary desert peoples, the
women were veiled; only their dark eyes were visible to the stranger
whom they flocked to see. They showed great surprise when Michael
spoke to one of the men in fluent Arabic.
At Michael's suggestion that the _Omdeh's_ house would be like one of
the cave-houses, Abdul had flung back his head. His smile was
scornful; a little annoyance was perceptible in his voice.
"_La_, Effendi. The _Omdeh's_ house is like a bower in paradise. The
Effendi will enjoy a cup of caravan-tea and a long rest in the cool
orchard, where water flows and caged birds sing."
"He has an orchard in a cavern like this!" Michael steadied himself by
catching hold of Abdul's staff; he had almost fallen over a baby.
"_Aiwah_, Effendi. The _Omdeh_ does not live in the rocks, like the
bats. His house is just outside the village. He is very rich--he owns
many camels and much cotton and he has a date-farm. He is entitled to
three wives."
"Very well, Abdul. I put myself in your hands." Michael sighed.
"This village makes me feel rather sick--the whole thing is too
horrible, too sad--God's blue sky just up above, and His sweet, clean
desert sand, and down here this living death, these idle, dirty women,
these sickly, fly-covered babies."
"_Aiwah_, Effendi, it is custom." Abdul shrugged his shoulders. "Did
the Effendi not say that to every bird his nest is home? These women
were born here, their children will grow up here, they will have their
children here. It is their home."
"We must get out of it, Abdul. I can't stand it any longer!" Michael
tried to walk faster. "If I had only a fly-switch! I can't keep the
beasts out of my mouth--it's disgusting!"
"_Aiwah_, Effendi, I told you it was not a wholesome village. I
assured the Effendi it would be wiser for him only to pay his respects
to the _Omdeh_ and not to pass through his village." Abdul darted into
one of the houses, whose open front was flush with the rock-wall of the
street, which was simply a tunnel in a vast rock; he returned with a
palm-leaf fan; a half-piastre had purchased it. He fanned his master
with it until he saw the colour return to his cheeks. "The Effendi is
better?"
"Thank you, Abdul, I am all right. It was only this stifling
atmosphere, and I've been feeling a bit off colour for the last few
days--my usual powers of sleep have deserted me."
"The Effendi has some trouble on his mind?"
"That is true, Abdul, but the trouble would not be there if I was
feeling quite my usual self--I could banish it."
"The Effendi's heart must not be distracted."
"I have received no letters from the Valley, Abdul. What do you think
has happened?"
"The Effendi must not ask for things impossible."
"I suppose not, Abdul. When I left the Valley I agreed that I should
not expect to receive letters--they were not to write unless there were
things taking place which I ought to know, yet my heart is troubled--I
have written so often."
"May the Effendi's servant know the cause of his master's unrest? Will
he permit two hearts to bear the burden?"
"I should feel at rest if I was certain that the Effendi Lampton had
received my letter, if I knew that scandal had not been carried to the
hut." Michael paused. "I wished to be the first to tell him that
Madam was a member of our camp, that I met her unexpectedly, that fear
sent her away. My happiness depended upon his answer, upon his
absolute belief in my explanation."
"_Aiwah_, Effendi, Abdul understands. The situation has
complications--ill news travels apace."
"I should not like the _Sitt_ to hear from other sources that Madam was
with us."
"But your letter should have reached the hut by this time, Effendi."
"Has there been time to get an answer? Do you believe my letter
reached Effendi Lampton, Abdul?" Michael asked the question
interestedly. Had this seer any second knowledge on the subject? Had
he the conviction that in the Valley of the Tombs of the Kings there
was no misgiving, no fear, that Margaret's heart was undisturbed?
Abdul knew what his master meant, but with his native dislike of giving
an unpleasant answer when a pleasant one would serve, he parried the
question.
"The honourable _Sitt_ has a noble nature, a clean heart. She is not
like Madam. The Effendi's thoughts make his own unhappiness, they are
not the thoughts of the gracious lady. The thoughts that come from her
travel on angel's wings; they gave the Effendi dreams last night."
"You are right, Abdul. Ah, thank goodness!" Michael gave an
exclamation of pleasure; he had caught a glint of sunshine, had felt a
breath of desert air. The Living Aton was penetrating the rat-pit.
"_Aiwah_, Effendi, that is the exit of the village. The _Omdeh's_
house is not far off--in less than five minutes the Effendi will be
reposing in his cool _selamlik_, his throat refreshed with caravan tea."
In a native house the _selamlik_ is a spacious room or summerhouse, set
apart for the receiving of guests. To Michael the _Omdeh's selamlik_
seemed like a foretaste of paradise. The _Omdeh_ was a courteous old
gentleman, who played the part of host and government official with a
simple dignity and friendly hospitality.
The open front of the _selamlik_ faced a beautiful orange orchard; low
seats, comfortably cushioned, ran round its three walls. The _Omdeh_
sat on his feet on his _mastaba_. His splendid turban and flowing
white robes gave him the appearance of a _Kadi_ dispensing justice from
his throne. Abdul and Michael reclined on the seat which faced him.
They had both been presented with an elaborate fly-switch, whose
handles were decorated with bright beads.
The old man was astonished and delighted to find that Michael could
speak Arabic. He was an intelligent, well-read man and something of a
politician, an ardent supporter of the British rule in Egypt. He was
greatly interested in all that Michael could tell him relating to the
news from the outer world.
In his turn, he expressed his regret that more trouble was not taken to
suppress the secret, seditious, and anti-English propaganda which was
being taught and preached in the desert schools and mosques.
"Where they started, no man knows," he said. "Nevertheless, Effendi,
their headquarters is 'somewhere.'" He smiled the peculiar smile of
the Eastern, so baffling to the Western mind. "The English are without
suspicion, Effendi; they trust everyone."
Michael expressed his ignorance as to what he alluded to. Was he
referring to the Nationalist Party in Egypt?
"They do not know their worst enemies, Effendi. They tolerate the
presence of mischief-makers, who seduce the ignorant. And these
strangers are clever, Effendi, they spare no trouble. In the mosques
and the schools they are teaching, or causing to be taught, strange and
new ideas. No village is too far off for this propaganda to reach. It
is well to believe in others as we would be believed in ourselves,
Effendi, but England is like the ostrich which buries its head in the
sand. I grieve to tell the Effendi these truths."
To Michael the man's words rang with the truth of conviction. They
suggested a new danger to British rule in Egypt. And yet he had heard
nothing of the unrest to which he alluded while he was in Luxor or in
Cairo; it seemed to flourish in the desert. When he questioned the old
man, he became as secret as an oyster; what he definitely knew he did
not mean to present to every passing stranger.
While they had been talking, Michael had enjoyed countless small cups
of tea. It was so good and fragrant that he realized that for the
first time he had drunk tea as it was meant to be drunk. He understood
how greatly it deteriorates by crossing the ocean; this tea had
journeyed all the way to the _Omdeh's_ house by caravan; it had been
brought overland by the old trade-route.
When Michael had rested he began the lengthy preliminaries of saying
good-bye. The _Omdeh_ would not hear of his going; he invited him to
visit his orchard, a beautiful Eden of fruits and exotic flowers,
abundantly irrigated by rivulets of clear water. The contrast between
this emerald patch, where golden globes of fruit were still hanging
from some of the orange-trees, struck Michael as flagrantly cruel. The
_Omdeh_, because of his wealth and social position, was living in a
cool, well-built house, surrounded by all that was fresh and fair, an
ideal home; yet, not a stone's throw from his secluded orchard and cool
_selamlik_, were the narrow streets, littered over with filthy
children, encrusted with scabs and black with flies! An overwhelming
pity for the ignorant, subterranean people, who were content to live
like rats in their holes, filled his soul. How could the _Omdeh_
permit it? He seemed kind and he knew that he was intelligent.
Probably when the poor were in trouble they instinctively came to him;
he administered the affairs of the village, no doubt, with scrupulous
impartiality. In this ancient and conservative land it was simply a
part of his inherited belief and tradition that such extremes would
always exist, that the condition of these people was the condition of
which they were worthy, that it was no man's business but their own.
They were in Allah's hands. If He willed it, He would help them to
rise above it. Our wants make us poor--these men and women had no
wants; they were not poor.
It was with much difficulty that Michael at last bade his host adieu,
an adieu of abounding phraseology and grace of speech. The _Omdeh_,
with native hospitality, had tried to persuade his guest to remain with
him for some days, or if he could not do that, to at least do honour to
his humble house by spending one night in it. If the honourable
Effendi would only remain, he would tell his servant to kill a sheep
and have it roasted; he would send for a noted dancer, to beguile the
later hours of the evening; he would have his four gazelles brought to
the _selamlik_ and Michael should see how beautifully they ran and
jumped--they were of a very rare species, much admired by all who could
appreciate their points.
To all these inducements Michael turned a deaf ear, even to the last, a
blind musician, whose _'ood_ playing was greatly celebrated. It was
not easy to refuse these pressing inducements, which were all put
before Michael with the elaborate charm of Arabic speech. It was he
who was to confer the pleasure by remaining; it was he who was to be
unselfish and bestow so unexpected and great a pleasure on his humble
host.
Determined to get on his way that same afternoon, Michael hardened his
heart. He told the _Omdeh_ that Abdul had arranged that they were to
travel to within one day's journey of their destination that same day;
their camp would be in readiness. On the following day Abdul and he
were to leave the servants in charge of the camp and start out on the
last portion of their journey. They were now but one day and a half
from the Promised Land.
Michael had agreed with Abdul that their secret must not be divulged,
that the servants must remain in ignorance of the real purpose of their
tour. They imagined that it was to visit the ancient Pharaoh's tomb.
Just as they were leaving the orchard the _Omdeh_ said: "There have
been strange rumours afloat, Effendi. Men say that a wealth of buried
treasure has been discovered in the hills to which you are travelling.
Is it known to you?"
"Indeed?" Michael said evasively. "What sort of treasure? Do the
authorities know of it? Who has discovered it?" He managed to speak
calmly and without emotion.
The _Omdeh_ threw back his head. "It is not worth a wise man's breath
inquiring. It is but one of the many foolish fables which travel with
the winds." He shrugged his shoulders.
"What started the rumour? Where did it originate? There is generally
some fire where there's smoke."
"Where do such things have their birth? It is no easier to discover
than the birthchamber of the anti-British propaganda in Egypt, Effendi."
"You do not attach any belief to the rumour?"
"_La_, Effendi. Who would believe that men are standing knee-deep in
jewels and precious stones, and that there is enough gold to build
three mosques in these hills, so near the village?"
Michael laughed. He remembered the reports which had been spread
abroad about the wealth of Freddy's find. One Englishman had heard
that Freddy had been wading ankle-deep in priceless scarabs and jewels
and gold collars and necklaces.
"You may well laugh, Effendi. The poor and ignorant will believe
anything. I must see the jewels first."
Michael wondered what he would say if he showed him the crimson
amethyst which had had its second hiding-place in the saint's ear.
"But who is reported to have found this King Solomon's mine?"
"Some poor man, whom no one has seen or spoken to--every man who tells
you the fairy-tale has heard it from his trusted friend, from a
reliable source. I never believe in these trusted friends, or any
reliable source but my own eyes. And even then, with the wise, seeing
isn't always believing."
Michael stole an unseen glance at Abdul. His face was as
expressionless as a death-mask. The report appeared to him to be
beneath contempt. He politely warned his master that the sun was not
so high in the heavens; they had many hours to travel.
When they were out of hearing and all the polite good-byes had been
spoken--a proceeding which is always a trying one to the impatient
traveller--Michael and Abdul talked together in low accents and in
English. What had the _Omdeh's_ news really meant?
In Abdul's heart there was little doubt as to who had found it, if
there was any truth in the rumour. Even if they divided the wealth of
the treasure by a hundred, and made all due allowances for native
exaggeration, it still seemed as though the treasure was one of unusual
importance.
"Then you believe there is truth in the report that the treasure has
been found, Abdul?"
"Who but the spy of Madam could have known of it, Effendi? and
certainly this rumour is disturbing."
"Some natives might have hit upon it by accident. Such things have
happened before."
"_Aiwah_, Effendi." Abdul smiled his unbelieving, unpleasant smile.
"Just at this particular time, after all these thousands of years, the
coincidence would indeed be strange."
"Then you believe, Abdul, that Madam has anticipated us? that she has
secured the treasure?"
"_Aiwah_, Effendi, I do, if there is any truth in the story. And if
there is not, it is very strange that such a rumour should have been
started at this moment."
"I agree," Michael said. "And yet something in my heart tells me that
Madam has not done the deed."
"The little voice, Effendi, it is always true, it knows. If the little
voice counsels, always obey it."
"It tells me, Abdul, that in this one instance Madam is innocent. I
agree with you that if the treasure has been found, it is passing
strange and points only to one thing. And yet, if I was to lay my hand
on the Holy Book and swear my belief, it would not be that she was
guilty of this piece of treachery."
"If Madam has not anticipated the Effendi, then the treasure is intact!
The rumour is false. It is strange what wonderful treasures have
melted into thin air before this, Effendi. I have known of dealers in
_antikas_ travelling for days without end, only to find . . .!" Abdul
threw back his head.
"A mare's nest," Michael said. "That is what we call it, Abdul."
"A good expression, Effendi." In Abdul's heart there was anger and
chagrin. Had the harlot outwitted them? Was she even now in
possession of the jewels and gold which the saint had discovered, which
he himself had clearly visualized?
A beatific smile lit up his face. If the woman had lain in the sheets
which had made the sick man's bed, not all the jewels of the Orient or
the gold of Ophir would now make her hideous face pleasing in the sight
of men! What would her emeralds and topazes and cornelians be worth?
They would only mock her pox-pitted face!
In Abdul's Moslem heart there was no pity. His eyes visualized and
rejoiced in the sight of the treacherous woman's spoilt beauty. She
had earned his hatred, and she had had it ever since the moment when
she had spoken scornfully of the saint, a hatred which had grown and
flourished like the Biblical bay-tree. To despise a Christian--and
more especially a Christian woman--was in keeping with his Oriental
mind and Moslem training; he despised Millicent not only as a woman and
a Christian, but as a harlot. No evil which he could do to her would
inflict the least shame upon his own soul. The contemplation of what
her misery would be when she discovered that she was sickening for the
smallpox afforded him a gratifying pleasure. He had drunk deeply of
the cup of hate; it was not tempered with camphor.
* * * * * *
When they pitched their camp that night, Michael felt weary and
depressed. A physical lassitude, which he had found it increasingly
difficult to fight against for the last two days, overwhelmed him. He
was glad to go to bed and try to sleep. His efforts met with little
success; he felt horribly wide awake and acutely conscious of the
smallest sound.
When at last sleep came to him, it did little to give him the rest he
required, or to restore peace to his nerves, for his dreams were a
vivid repetition, horribly exaggerated, of his journey through the
subterranean village. He had lost his way; he was wandering through
the airless arteries of the village. His body was covered with
house-flies; his nose and ears tickled with them; they crawled into the
corners of his mouth; scabs had broken out on his face and body. No
little child in the street was a more hideous and loathsome object than
he felt himself to be.
* * * * * *
No child was ever more pleased to see its mother than Michael was to
see Abdul, when he came to wake him and remind him that that same
evening they ought to reach the hills, and prove that the _Omdeh's_
rumour about the treasure was either false or true. Never for one
instant had Abdul doubted the vision; he had never considered the fact
that there might never have been any treasure at all. His second
sight--his truer sight--had seen it. That was sufficient.
Michael felt strangely disinclined to exert himself to get up and ride
from sunrise until sundown. It seemed to him a task which he could
never fulfil. But Abdul was obviously full of suppressed excitement.
He was eager for his master to bestir himself and show something of his
usual enthusiasm and vitality. The _Omdeh's_ story had sorely
disturbed him.
"I will be ready, Abdul," Michael said. "Make me some strong coffee."
"_Aiwah_, Effendi."
"Very strong, Abdul!"
"_Aiwah_, Effendi, very strong."