Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/215

 "Nine hundred piaster and eighty," the honest Mahomet answered.

Reinhardt shook his head: "Not so! What you buy comes to five hundred and ninety-four piaster, for the lot." Reinhardt seemed not to hear the frenzy raised by Mahomet and the Sheikh. From the American's purse he counted six gold pieces, and nine smaller coins which Zack regarded as nickels.

"It is the cost of about thirty dollars and forty-five cents of America," Reinhardt explained.

Ibrahim bundled up his rejected plumes. No sooner had his greedy fist closed upon the cash than Mahomet rushed him down the steps.

"Here, Mahomet! Stop that!" With courteous apologies to the old man, Colonel Spottiswoode pressed an additional half sovereign into his hand. Mahomet stared, Said's jaw dropped open. They were madmen, these unbelievers. Ibrahim clutched this manna from heaven, and passed swiftly around the corner of the piazza. Once out of sight he paused under the palms in the garden and began counting his gains. Said slunk away, behind Ibrahim, and nobody noticed—except Mahomet, who raged inwardly. The soft-footed Mahomet Mansour took one backward step, thinking to escape through the rotunda before Said could have truck with the departing