Presently they crossed the Opera Square and turned down an avenue that led to the Nile, and then Hafiz’s impatience could contain itself no longer. "We are going in the wrong direction," he whispered. "It’s nearly eleven o’clock, and Osman is waiting for us." "Come on," said Gordon, and he continued to walk steadily forward. At length it dawned on Hafiz that, in spite of all possible consequences, Gordon intended to go to the Agency before he left Cairo, and having assured himself that this was so, he began to pour out a running whisper of passionate entreaties. "But, Gordon! My dear Gordon! This is madness. It cannot be done," he said. "It must!" said Gordon. "The trackers will be there if they are anywhere." "Hush!" "It is the one place they’ll keep watch upon to-night." "I can’t help that," said Gordon without stopping; and Hafiz had no choice but to follow on. A few minutes later the good fellow, whose heart was now panting up to his throat, walked close to Gordon’s side and whispered in a breaking voice— "If you have any message to send to your mother I’ll take it—I’ll take it after you are gone." "I must see her myself," said Gordon; and then Hafiz could say no more. They passed through populous places into thoroughfares that were less and less crowded, and came out at last by the barracks on the banks of the Nile. There the broad street was empty and silent, and the white moonlight lay over the river which flowed like liquid steel. Under the dark window of his own quarters Gordon paused for a moment, for it was the spot on which he had first seen Helena. He could see it still as he saw it then, with its tide of clamorous traffic from the bridge—the camels, the cameleers, the blue-shirted fellaheen, the women with tattooed chins and children astride on their shoulders, and then the girl driving the automobile, with the veil of white chiffon about her head and the ruddy glow of the sunset kissing her upturned face as she lifted her eyes to look at him. Hafiz was choking with emotion by this time, but his sense of Gordon’s danger came uppermost again when they turned into the road that led to the Consul-General’s house and caught sight of a group of men who were standing at the gate. "There they are," he whispered. "What did I tell you? Let us go back. Gordon, I implore you! I entreat you! By all you love and who love you——" "Come on," said Gordon again, and though quaking with fear, Hafiz continued to walk by his side.