The sheik grew suddenly suspicious. Kāra’s promises were too extravagant2 to be genuine; doubtless he had deceived Antar from the first, and sought to obtain his services without payment. It was true that Kāra was reputed in Cairo to be wealthy, but he might easily have squandered3 his inheritance long ago. One thing Antar was certain of—the Egyptian prince must produce his treasure at once or the sheik, thinking he was duped, would undertake to exact a bit of vengeance4 on his own account.
Thus musing5, he turned the corner of the hill and came full upon Tadros, who was expecting him. The dragoman’s thumbs were thrust into the pockets of his gorgeous silver and blue vest. He stood with his feet{284} spread well apart, in an attitude of dejection; his countenance6 was sorrowful and discontented.
“Ah,” growled7 the sheik, “this is the man Kāra requested me to kill!”
“I do not doubt it,” returned Tadros, meekly8. “It is so much easier to kill one than to pay him the wages he has earned.”
“Does he owe you money?” demanded Antar, sharply.
“Yes; and now I shall never get it.”
“Why not?”
“Have you not heard? Prince Kāra came to this village a few hours ago and was met by a captain of police, who wants him in Cairo for more than a dozen crimes.”
“What! Have you brought the police upon us?” exclaimed Antar, angrily.
“I? How absurd! I came here to get my money; but they have taken Kāra south to meet a detachment of soldiers who are coming from Assyut. Presently they will return here in force to rescue Winston Bey, who is in some trouble through Kāra’s actions.”
“You are lying to me,” declared the sheik. “It is you who have set the officers upon us. You are a traitor9!”
Tadros appeared distressed10.
“You have known me long, my sheik,” said he, “and have always found me an honest man. Never have I mixed with the police in any way. But do you{285} imagine the Government will neglect to watch over Winston Bey and protect him from his enemies? Ask the captain when he returns with the soldiers and Kāra. He will be here very soon now, and he will tell you that Tadros the dragoman had nothing to do with his coming here.”
The sheik glanced around nervously11.
“You say he will be here soon?”
“At any moment. Something has gone wrong with Winston Bey’s dahabeah, it seems, and the soldiers are to put things right.”
Antar fell into the trap. In common with most natives, he greatly feared the mounted police, and had no inclination12 to face a company of them. Quickly he ran to the end of the hill overlooking the river, and blew a shrill13 blast between his fingers as a signal to his comrades.
Instantly his men swarmed14 from the distant boat and sped over the sands toward him. The sheik met them and the whole band turned toward the north, quickly disappearing among the rugged15 crags of the mountains.
Tadros, convulsed with laughter at his easy victory, watched until the last Arab was out of sight. Then he walked down to the dahabeah, where, in the gathering16 twilight17, he cut the bonds of the prisoners, assuring Winston Bey and his party, with many bombastic18 words, that he had vanquished19 their enemies and they owed their lives to his shrewdness and valor20.{286}
“You are free as the air,” said he. “Fear nothing hereafter, for I will now remain with you.”
“Where is Kāra?” asked Winston.
Tadros did not know; but he suspected that Consinor, before returning from the interior of the treasure-chamber, had murdered the Egyptian, whose mysterious disappearance21 could in no other way be explained. Not wishing to mention the viscount’s name, whose murder might involve both Nephthys and himself in trouble, he stuck to his original lie.
“Kāra is fleeing in one direction and the Arabs in another,” he said, pompously22. “I am too modest to relate how I have accomplished23 this remarkable24 feat25; but you must admit I have been wonderfully clever and successful, and by remaining faithful to your interests, have saved you from a terrible fate.”
Winston did not answer, for he was just then engaged in holding Aneth in a close embrace, while Mrs. Everingham looked upon the happy pair with moist eyes and smiling lips.
But old Lord Roane felt that their rescuer merited more tangible26 acknowledgment of his services.
“You are a brave man, Tadros,” he said.
“I am, indeed, sir,” agreed the dragoman, earnestly.
“When we return to Cairo I will see that you are properly rewarded.”
Tadros smiled with pleasure.
“Thank you, my lord,” said he; “it is no more than I deserve.”{287}
“Just now,” continued his lordship, “we are bound for Luxor to celebrate a wedding.”
“With Tadros for dragoman,” remarked the Egyptian, calmly lighting27 a cigarette, “all things are possible.”
The End
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收听单词发音
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1
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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2
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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3
squandered
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| v.（指钱，财产等）浪费，乱花( squander的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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4
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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5
musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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6
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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7
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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8
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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9
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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10
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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11
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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12
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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13
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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14
swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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15
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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16
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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17
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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18
bombastic
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| adj.夸夸其谈的，言过其实的 | |
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19
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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20
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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21
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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22
pompously
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| adv.傲慢地，盛大壮观地；大模大样 | |
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23
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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24
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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25
feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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26
tangible
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| adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的 | |
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27
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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