Page:Marion Crawford - Khaled.djvu/191

 'So much the more will it he easy for us to satisfy the people,' answered the Kadi.

'No doubt. I will think of what you have said. And now, I pray you, partake of another refreshment and go in peace.'

At this all the chief men looked one at the other again, for they saw that Khaled would not tell them what they wished to know. And those of them who had doubted the story before now began to believe it. But they held their peace, and presently made their salutation and took their swords from the wall and departed.

Khaled then left the kahwah and returned to Zehowah in the harem.

'I have told them that these tales are lies,' he said, 'but they do not believe me.'

He repeated to Zehowah all that had been said, and she listened attentively, for she began to understand that there was danger not far off.

'And I told them,' he said at last, 'that it would be as easy for me to invent names, as for them to hear them. Then they looked sideways each at the other and kept silent.'

'This is a foolish thing which you have done,' answered Zehowah, 'They will now all believe that your father was an evildoer and that you yourself are no better. Otherwise, they will say, why should