"Trust to that," she bade him. "Yet look well at matters as they
are already. I am a prisoner here in these men's hands. They will
not let me go until their full purpose is accomplished - perhaps,"
she added wistfully, "perhaps not even then."

"Ah, not that!" he cried out.

"Even that," she answered firmly. "But," and again she grew
vehement, "is it less so with you? Are you less a prisoner than I?
D'ye think you will be suffered to come and go at will?" She saw
the increase of fear in him, and then she struck boldly, setting
all upon the gamble of a guess. "I am kept here until I shall have
been brought to such a state that I will add my signature to your
own and so pardon one and all for what is done."

His sudden start, the sudden quickening of his glance told her how
shrewdly she had struck home. Fearlessly, then, sure of herself,
she continued. "To that end they use you. When you shall have
served it you will but cumber them. When they shall have used
you to procure their security from me, then they will deal with
you as they have ever sought to deal with you - so that you trouble
them no more. Ali, at last you understand!"

He came to his feet, his brow gleaming with sweat, his slender
hands nervously interlocked.

"Oh, God!" he cried in a stifled voice.

"Aye, you are in a trap, my lord. Yourself you've sprung it."