The cart was small, and the ride had been uncomfortable, so after a moment's thought Pauline jumped out. She reasoned that the man having her money, had no desire to prolong the trip, and in a moment they would go back to Bedrashein. Often had she heard of these robberies, and she felt that, cupidity satisfied, she had little to fear. But no sooner was she on the ground, than the Moor sprang again into his cart, and whipping up his horse, sped away across the desert sand and in a minute rounded a hill and was out of sight. Pauline looked after him an instant, and then, realizing to the uttermost what it meant,--that she was abandoned to her fate in a trackless desert,--fell in a little heap on the sands and fainted away. It was about eleven o'clock on the morning of that same day, that Carr Loria went to Shepheard's Hotel and asked for Fleming Stone. The two men met, and eyed each other appraisingly. There was no light chat, each was of serious face and in grave mood. Loria spoke first, after the short greeting. "I have a telegram from my cousin, Miss Stuart," he said, drawing a paper from his pocket. "I know why you are here, Mr. Stone, and I think best to show you this. Frankly, I am glad of it." Stone took the message, and read: I have run away again. I am afraid of F. S. Don't try to find me, I am all right, and I will communicate with you after he goes back to U. S. I positively will not make my whereabouts known as long as he is in Cairo. Don't worry. Polly. "We may as well be honest with one another," Loria went on. "I gather, from your presence here, that you know my cousin is guilty of the death of her aunt; but you _don't_ know, you _can't_ know, what that poor girl had to put up with. I can't blame her, that in a moment of,--really of temporary insanity,--she let herself be tempted----" "I'm sorry to cut short this interview, Mr. Loria," said Stone, in his quiet way, "but, truly, I've a most important engagement just now. If I could see you, say this evening, and talk these things over by ourselves----" "Surely, Mr. Stone. I must return to my work to-morrow, but I'll see you to-night. Will you come to my place?" "Yes, I will. About nine?" "Nine it is," and Loria swung away, as Fleming Stone turned and hastened into the hotel. Straight to Mrs. MacDonald he went and asked where Pauline was. "She went to visit Memphis and Sakkara with her cousin," said the smiling chaperon. "That is, she went with her cousin's dragoman, and Mr. Loria met them at Bedrashein." "Oh, _did he_! Now listen, Mrs. MacDonald. Miss Stuart is in danger. I am sure of this. I am going to her aid, but I may not----" Stone choked, "I may not succeed soon. Tell me of this dragoman. What does he look like?" Graphically, Mrs. MacDonald described the statuesque Ahri, and almost before she stopped speaking, Stone was flying along the corridor, down the stairs, and out at the door.