would have most unpleasant consequences--for both of us!"

Clearly, Grim in the guise of ben Saoud had been busy, and it was
up to me to seize my cue alertly. I was at pains to look
alarmed. Ben Nazir grew solicitous.

"Rest assured, you are safe as my guest. But Suliman ben Saoud
was annoyed to think a stranger should be here at such a time as
this. He took me to task about you. He is also my guest, as I
reminded him, but he is a truculent fellow. He insisted that the
assembled notables have the right to satisfaction regarding your
bona fides. It was no use my saying, as I did repeatedly, that I
personally guarantee you. He asked me how much I know about you.
I had to confess that what I actually know amounts to very
little."

"Well?" I said. "What does the old grouch want?"

"He thinks that you should be presented to the assembled notables
at noon today. In fact, he demands that they should catechize
you regarding your ideas about a school."

"I have no objection."

"But, I am sorry to have to add this: it is probable the
notables will insist on your remaining in El-Kerak until after
that shall have taken place which they have been summoned to
decide on. They will not risk your returning before the--"