violent plunge, broke away from the men who were holding him and headed
for the edge of the oasis with the Arabs streaming after him. "The
mounted men will catch him," he added with a little laugh, in response
to Diana's exclamation.

"Is he amusing himself, or is it really vice?" she asked.

"Pure vice, Madame. He has killed three men."

Diana looked at him incredulously, for his tone was casual and his
manner did not indicate any undue feeling.

"He ought to be shot," she said indignantly.

The man shrugged. "Monseigneur is fond of him," he said quietly.

And so because Monseigneur was fond of him the vicious animal was
surrounded with every care that his master's pleasure might not be
interfered with. Evidently the lives of his wretched people were of
less value to him than that of a favourite horse. It sounded compatible
with the mercilessness she had herself experienced. What she would not
have believed yesterday to-day seemed terribly credible. The courage
that the relief of his absence brought back was sinking fast, as fast
as the red ball glowing in the heavens was sinking down towards the
horizon. She turned from her own fearful thoughts to look at some more
horses that were being led away to the lines on the other side of the
camp.

"The horses are magnificent, but they are bigger than any Arabs I have
seen before."