“Oh, no offence; no offence, my boy!” and Dr. Dean at once loosened his arm. “I only thought you looked as if you had had some upset or worry, that’s all.” “Climate! climate!” said Denzil, hoarsely. “Egypt does not agree with me, I suppose!--the dryness of the soil breeds fever and a touch of madness! Men are not blocks of wood or monoliths of stone; they are creatures of flesh and blood, of nerve and muscle; you cannot torture them so. …” He interrupted himself with a kind of breathless irritation at his own speech. Gervase regarded him steadily, slightly smiling. “Torture them how, Denzil?” asked the Doctor, kindly. “Dear lad, you are talking nonsense. Come and stroll with me up and down; the air is quite balmy and delightful; it will cool your brain.” “Yes, it needs cooling!” retorted Denzil, beginning to laugh with a sort of wild hilarity. “Too much wine,--too much woman,--too much of these musty old-world records and ghastly pyramids!” Here he broke off, adding quickly: “Doctor, Helen and I will go back to England next week, if all is well.” “Why, certainly, certainly!” said Dr. Dean, soothingly. “I think we are all beginning to feel we have had enough of Egypt. I shall probably return home with you. Meanwhile, come for a stroll and talk to me; Monsieur Armand Gervase will perhaps go in and excuse us for a few minutes to the Princess Ziska.” “With pleasure!” said Gervase; then, beckoning Denzil Murray aside, he whispered: “Tell me, have you won or lost?” “Lost!” replied Denzil, fiercely, through his set teeth. “It is your turn now! But, if you win, as sure as there is a God above us, I will kill you!” “_Soit!_ But not till I am ready for killing! _After to-morrow night_ I shall be at your service, not till then!” And smiling coldly, his dark face looking singularly pale and stern in the moonlight, Gervase turned away, and, walking with his usual light, swift, yet leisurely tread, entered the Princess’s apartment by the French window which was still open, and from which the sound of sweet music came floating deliciously on the air as he disappeared. CHAPTER XIV.