With them were at least twenty women, their faces covered so that the eye of man could not invade the sanctity of the countenance, which Oriental law and custom declared to be sacred to the husband alone. “I am Mohammed!” said the leader, when his examination of Ibrahim’s features was completed. “Mohammed!” repeated Ibrahim. “I am Mohammed, and am of the family of the faithful.” “And whither wilt thou go?” “The sun will cast my shadow to the north as I journey to the south.” It was useless asking to what part of Africa the pilgrims were going, until the _entente cordiale_ was fully established. Ibrahim prostrated himself after the manner of the Musselmen and beat his brow on the sand. The Mohammedan left the saddle, and spreading the sacred carpet on the sand, prostrated himself by Ibrahim’s side. Then it was that the two followers of the prophet realized that they were friends and brothers in religion. “Behold, the crescent shall be exalted, and shall rule even all the countries of the world. I have said it. Just Allah!” “You ought to know my uncle,” said Ibrahim. “You would be brothers.” “Who is it that callest thee nephew?” “Sherif el Habib----” “Of Khorassan?” “The same. Dost thou know him?” “In youth, when the eyes of houris shone brightly into mine, Sherif el Habib was as a brother.” “He is in the desert seeking the Mahdi.” “Dost thou mean it?” “Even so. Is it not so, Max?” Max was unable to answer, for Mohammed clapped his hands, and all his followers prostrated themselves on the sand, bowing their heads toward the direction of the sacred shrine at Mecca. “I, too, dust as I am, yet of the family of the faithful, will seek the Mahdi, for he it is who will raise the crescent above the cross and make the kingdom of the prophet co-equal with the kingdoms of the world.” The man Mohammed was evidently in a state of great mental exaltation, and like Sherif el Habib, believed that the promised savior or leader of the Moslems had come, and was awaiting an opportunity to crush the Christian nations and proclaim the rule of Mahomet. Max was enchanted. He liked enthusiasts. He worshiped heroes. But with his hero worship was mingled so much commercialism that men never gave him credit for any idea beyond the making of dollars. “We will find this Mahdi,” he said, “and he shall lecture through the States. There will be millions in it.” How disgusted Mohammed would have been had he understood what Max said! Ibrahim was annoyed. It sounded so much like an insult to his religion. But he deftly turned the conversation by saying: “Max, my friend, has a mission. He is searching for the last of the Mamelukes.” “When Selim, the tyrant, destroyed the Mamelukes,” said Mohammed, solemnly, “he gave to many provinces a bey of Mameluke blood. He did it to save his life. I, who speak unto thee, had for my great ancestor Mohammed, the fearless, who was one of the beys.” “Didst thou come from the line of great Emin?”