"How shall we get to Emmaus, then?" she asked.

"We shall not get to Emmaus; so you must inform Julian, who will
expect us there," he declared.

The woman played with the silken reins of her camel. Behind her veil a
sarcastic smile played about the corners of her mouth. Aquila watched
her resentfully, waiting with an immense reserve of caustic words for
her refusal to accept the charge.

"So, my Mars of the gray temples, thou meanest in all faith to deliver
up this lady and her treasure to Julian?"

"By those same gray temples, I do! And hold thy peace about my white
hairs. Nothing made them so but thyself--and this evil plot in which I
am tangled. What does Julian mean to do with this poor creature?"

"He has not got her yet and by the complication thou seest now,
wearing its turban over one ear in yonder howdah, it may come to pass
that he will never have her--and her dowry."

"Pfui! How little you know this Julian! Besides, I am pledged to
deliver him--at least the treasure."

"And thou meanest to line his purse with this great treasure because
he paid thee to do it?"

"I shall; and be rid of it!"