will also take that train to Damascus, and unless that letter is in my
hands before the journey's end, then Yussuf Dakmar dies. Is that
agreed?'

"All except Yussuf Dakmar agreed to it. He was very angry and called
them leeches, whereat they laughed, saying that leeches only suck enough
and then fall off, whereas they would take all or kill. They made him
understand it, taking a great oath together to slay him without mercy
unless he should get the letter and give it to them before the train
reaches Damascus tomorrow evening.

"Well, sahib, he agreed presently, not with any effort at good grace,
but cursing while he yielded.

"In truth, sahib, it is less fear than lack of sleep that Yussuf Dakmar
feels. I could hear him yawn through the window lattice. Now a man in
that condition is likely to act early in the night for fear that sleep
may otherwise get the better of him, and the sahib will do well to be
keenly alert from the first. I shall be asleep on that couch outside
the door and will come if called, so the sahib would better not lock the
door but should call loud in case of need, because I also have been long
awake and may sleep heavily."

"Suppose I walk the streets all night?" said I. "Wouldn't that foil
them?"

"Nay, sahib, but the reverse; for if Yussuf Dakmar should miss you
after midnight he would go in search of you, with those five in turn
tracking him. And as for finding you, that would be a simple matter,
for every night thief and beggar waiting for the dawn would give