OCR Text |
Show a vision of himself, if he is a man the momentary crumof all his self-respect is succeeded by a .desire that seems made of granite- the desire to reinstate himself upcn his seat, his throne of manhood. At whatever cost he must do that, at whatever cost of suffering, of terror even, perhaps of crime. "Where are we?" Achmed stretched out his arm. "Monsieur sees that rock there, to the south, shaped like a resting "I see it." "From that rock monsieur can see the villages of El-Akbara." Sir Claude pulled up the mule. " I'll get down here." He swung himself to the ground before Achmed could speak. "Take the mule." "Monsieur is not going alone?" "Yes. You're to stay here and 1?4 wait for me. Give me some of the food." "But if monsieur wishes to descend I must come with him to show the way." "I did not say I was going down. Give me the food." He slung one of the guns over his shoulder. "But I am rcspcnsible for monsieur. When it gets dark-" "Achmed,'' Sir Claude said, abruptly, "here's a hundred francs." He drew out a note and put it into the guide's eager hand. "If you attempt to follow me, you won't get another penny. If you .,, stay here as I tell you, you'll get more. yf/ Do you understand?" / "And if-if monsieur does not re- 1/ turn?'' "Have you got a watch?" "Yes, monsieur." "If by midnight ! |