"What is your name?" he demanded.

"Call me Omar," said Grim.

"A Turk, are you? Well, Omar, let us help each other to get that
letter, and divide the reward. Sidi Said told me that the British are
sure to confront Feisul with it, and to do it secretly if they can.
They will try to send it to Damascus. Let us two find out who takes it,
and waylay him."

"Why should I divide with you?" demanded Grim, who is much too good an
actor to pretend to agree without bargaining.

"Because otherwise you will not succeed. I was afraid of you when you
first surprised me with Charkian. But now that I know you for a spy in
the pay of the French I am not afraid of you, even though you have my
revolver and dagger. You dare not kill me, for I would shout for help
and the guard would come. You are in danger as much as I am. So you
may either agree to work with me, sharing the reward, or you may work
alone and have nothing for your pains; for I shall bring accomplices to
help me take the letter from you after you have stolen it!"

Well, I suppose that anyone with criminal intentions could submit
gracefully to that much blackmail. Besides, Grim was rather pressed for
time and couldn't afford to prolong the argument.

"I see you are a determined man," he answered. "Your demand is
unreasonable, but I must agree to it."

"Then give me back my pistol!"