"That brings me," he said, speaking very slowly, "from what _I_ have done to what you must do. The Ulema of El Azhar have received an order to close the University. It went to them this morning through the President of the Council, who is acting as Regent in the absence of the Khedive. If they refuse to go it will be your duty to turn them out." "Mine?" "Yours! The Governor of the City and the Commandant of Police will go with you, but where sixteen thousand students and a disaffected population have to be dealt with the military will be required. If you had brought Ishmael Ameer back from Alexandria this step might have been unnecessary, but now instead of one man you may have to arrest hundreds." "But if they resist—and they will—I know they will——" "In that case they will be tried by Special Tribunal as persons assaulting members of the British Army of Occupation, and be dispatched without delay to the Soudan." "But surely——" "The Ulema are required to signify their assent by to-morrow morning, and we are to meet at the Citadel at four in the afternoon. You will probably be required to be there." "But, Father——" "We left something to your discretion before, hoping to give you an opportunity of distinguishing yourself in the eyes of England, but in this case your orders will be definite, and your only duty will be to obey." "But will you not permit me to——" "That will do for the present. I’m busy. Good-day!" Gordon went out dazed and dumbfounded. He saw nothing of Ibrahim who handed him his linen-covered cap in the hall, or of the page-boy at the porch who gave him his reins and held down his stirrup. When he came back to consciousness he was riding by the side of the Nile where the bridge was open, and a number of boats with white sails, like a flight of great sea-gulls, were sweeping through. At the next moment he was at the entrance to his own quarters, and found a white motor-car standing there. It was Helena’s car, and leaping from the saddle, he went bounding up the stairs. *CHAPTER XVIII* Helena, with an anxious and perplexed face, was at his door, talking to his soldier-servant. At the next instant they were in each other’s arms, and their troubles were gone. Her smile seemed to light up his room more than all its wealth of sunlight, and nothing else was of the smallest consequence. But after a moment she drew out a letter and said— "I told Father you were back, and he dictated a message to you. He was going to send it by his A.D.C., but I asked to be allowed to bring it myself and he consented. Here it is, dear." Gordon opened and read the General’s letter. It was a formal request that he should be in attendance at the Citadel at four the following day to receive urgent and important instructions. "You know what it refers to, Helena?" "Yes, I know," she answered.