between us; you go to Sidi Said, the French agent, and make sure that
he doesn't hinder us by trying to help."

"Very well, I will do that. And I shall meet you at the station in the
morning?"

"No. My party will go as far as Ludd by motor. You will see us join
the train there. Go now, while the guard is out of the way."

I could not see, but I heard Yussuf Dakmar get up and go. He had hardly
time to get out of earshot when Grim's voice broke the silence again:

"You there, Ramsden?"

Instead of answering I approached.

"Did you hear what was said?" he asked.

"Yes. Why didn't you arrest both the blackguards and have done with
it?"

"Better the evil that we know..." he answered, with the familiar smile
in his voice. "The important thing is to sidetrack the French agent,
who could put fifty ruffians on our trail instead of one."

"Why not send a provost-marshal's guard to the French agent, then?"

"Can't do that. France and Great Britain are allies. Besides, they
might retaliate by spiflicating our agent in Damascus. Wise folk who
live in glass-houses don't throw stones. What I think has been