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Show money. That would be reason enough for his persuasion. "P'r'aps it's all rot!" said Sir Claude to himself, resorting to his favorite phrase. Nevertheless, he hurried on till he came to the first earth houses of the village. Their doors of palm were shut. Here and there, above these shut doors, the skulls of camels grinned. Through the eye- sockets strings of red pepper were hung. ·"Upon the flat roofs lean white, or yellow, dogs ran to and fro, bending down their heads and barking furiousy at the stranger as he passed. Again Sir Claude was conscious of the savagery of this land, and was stabbed by remorse for his selfish carelessness. Like many men who are not clever, he was inclined either to minimize or to exaggerate things. had thought nothing of leaving wife alone for a night. Now he 94 thought too much of it. It seemed to him a monstrous dereliction of duty. A shadow stole out from among the blind and shadowy houses and padded softly after him on bare feet. He turned sharply, his hand on his revolver. "What d' you want?" he said, in French. The shadow stopped and gazed at him steadily, with glittering eyes above which a hood was drawn forward hiding the head. Sir Claude repeated his question, but got no answer. "Here, you come along with me!" he exclaimed. "I won't have you ~ ' ·, behind." f'·· / He made an explanatory gesture. 1 1 1 The shadow understood it and quiet-f . ly obeyed. Evidently comprehend-( ing why the stranger was there, it guided him down a narrow alley, |
