"You can attend to the sick ones. You can play music for us all.
Doubtless these other two have qualifications."

I was too busy admiring Gloria to know what effect that announcement
had on Fred and Will. She shook herself free from the women, and
stood up, splendid in the flickering yellow light. There was a sort
of swift move by every one to be ready against contingencies, and
I judged it the right moment to spring my own surprise.

"When I fire this pistol," I said, producing it, "a man will start
at once for Zeitoon to warn Kagig. He has a note in his pocket written
to Kagig. Judge for yourselves how long it will take Kagig and his
men to reach this place!"

The nearest man made a very well-judged spring at me and pinned my
elbows from behind. Another man knocked the pistol from my hand.
The women seized Gloria again. But Fred was too quick--drew his
own pistol, and fired at the roof.

"Twice, Fred!" I shouted, and he fired again.

"There!" said I. "Do what you like. The messenger has gone!"

And then Gloria shook herself free a last time, and took command.

"Is that true?" she demanded.

I nodded. "The best of our three men was to start on his way the
minute he heard the second shot."