in his strangely-broken Greek, which was, however, quite intelligible:
"I would give hair and skin for the noble lady. You have only to speak
out."

The child clung to the big man with both hands and drew him to her
saying: "We knew you had a grate ful heart. But you see. . ." and she
interrupted herself to ask in an altered voice:

"Do you believe in a God? or stay--do you know what a sacred oath is?
Can you swear solemnly? Yes, yes. . ." and drawing herself up as tall
as possible she went on very seriously: "Swear by your bride Mandane--as
truly as you believe that she loves you. . ."

"But, sweet soul...."

"Swear that you will never betray to a living soul what I am going to
say--not even to Mother Joanna and Pulcheria; no, nor even to your
Mandane, unless you find you cannot help it and she gives her sacred
word...."

"What is it? You quite frighten me! What am I to swear?"

"Not to reveal what I am now going to tell you."

"Yes, yes, little Mistress; I can promise you that." Mary sighed, a
long-drawn "Ah ...!" and told him that a trustworthy messenger must be
found to go forth to meet Amru, so as to be in time to save Paula. Then
came the question whether he knew the road over the hills from Babylon to
the ancient town of Berenice; and when he replied that he had lately
travelled that way, and that it was the shortest road to the sea for