“In the end I will have you, and the enemies I hate shall be swept from the face of the earth. Somewhere up this river the end of the struggle must come. After that, you and I will hasten away to some better land. Your brother shall be spared, and we’ll take him with us. In time you will learn to admire the man who never rested until he had crushed his enemies.” “Admire you? You are insane to fancy such a thing! I despise you! I loathe you! To me you are like a venomous serpent! Had I ever entertained for you a spark of pity, you have quenched it. Where is this man Medjid Bey? Let me talk to him.” “As you like,” said Bunol, lifting his eyebrows and shrugging his shoulders. “It will give you no satisfaction. I will send him here.” Bowing gracefully, he retired from the cabin. After a moment Nadia started up, a wild light in her eyes. She faltered a bit, then swiftly crossed to leave the cabin. The man she had so often seen watching her in Cairo entered and blocked her path. “You—you are Medjid Bey?” she breathed. “That is my name, lady.” “You own this yacht?” “The _Kayala_ is mine.” “Do you know what you are doing?” “I think so.” “You are committing a crime! I have never harmed you. I am a helpless girl. You look like a gentleman. I appeal to your manhood, your honor! Before it is too late, turn back and set me free. Have no part in this wicked deed. Bunol has lied to you. He has led you to think he has been wronged. It is false! He is a scoundrel of the blackest dye, and he has committed all the wrongs. My brother is back there in Cairo. He will be distracted. My friends are there. They will be pained. Take me back—please take me back! I beg—I entreat——” She fell on her knees, seeking to clasp his hands. “My dear lady, I beg you rise. It pains me to see you thus distressed.” “You will listen? You will take me back to my friends?” “I will take it into consideration. In the meantime do not fear for your personal safety. No harm shall befall you while you are on the _Kayala_. I give you my word. Do nothing rash, but wait and trust.” He was anxious to get away, and he bowed low once more, hastening from the cabin. Nadia fell at full length on the floor. “Heaven protect me!” she moaned. “He will do nothing, and I am in the power of Miguel Bunol!” CHAPTER XXIX—THE PURSUIT ON THE RIVER It was night in Egypt. The silver moonlight fell on the shining, silent Nile, its low shores lined with shadowy palms. Up the Nile a small excursion steamer was spluttering and throbbing, showing its lights. It was a strange and unusual hour for a steamer to be moving on that portion of the Nile, where but few steamers are ever seen. Traffic on this river is carried on mainly with the aid of _dahabeahs_, which are immense combined sail and row boats, having a low forward deck and a large cabin aft.