"It may be so. I heed it not. My life is as that of a gull--if the wind carry it out to sea, it is lost. As my uncle went I shall go one day. Thee will never do me ill; but do I not know that I shall have foes at every corner, behind every mooshrabieh screen, on every mastaba, in the pasha's court-yard, by every mosque? Do I not know in what peril I serve Egypt?" "Yet thou wouldst keep alive Nahoum! He will dig thy grave deep, and wait long." "He will work with me for Egypt, Effendina." Kaid's face darkened. "What is thy meaning?" "I ask Nahoum's life that he may serve under me, to do those things thou and I planned yesterday--the land, taxation, the army, agriculture, the Soudan. Together we will make Egypt better and greater and richer--the poor richer, even though the rich be poorer." "And Kaid--poorer?" "When Egypt is richer, the Prince is richer, too. Is not the Prince Egypt? Highness, yesterday--yesterday thee gave me my commission. If thee will not take Nahoum again into service to aid me, I must not remain. I cannot work alone." "Thou must have this Christian Oriental to work with thee?" He looked at David closely, then smiled sardonically, but with friendliness to David in his eyes. "Nahoum has prayed to work with thee, to be a slave where he was master? He says to thee that he would lay his heart upon the altar of Egypt?" Mordant, questioning humour was in his voice. David inclined his head. "He would give up all that is his?" "It is so, Effendina." "All save Foorgat's heritage?" "It belonged to their father. It is a due inheritance." Kaid laughed sarcastically. "It was got in Mehemet Ali's service." "Nathless, it is a heritage, Effendina. He would give that fortune back again to Egypt in work with me, as I shall give of what is mine, and of what I am, in the name of God, the all-merciful!"