There, drawn
up, were a thousand mounted men as black as ebony, wearing shining white
metal helmets and fine chain-armour and swords and lances like medieval
crusaders. The horses, too, were black, and the mass made a barbaric
display belonging more to another period in the world's history. This
regiment of Nubians Kaid had recruited from the far south, and had
maintained at his own expense. When they saw him at the window now, their
swords clashed on their thighs and across their breasts, and they raised
a great shout of greeting.
"Well?" asked Kaid, with a ring to the voice. "They are loyal, Effendina,
every man. But the army otherwise is honeycombed with treason. Effendina,
my money has been busy in the army paying and bribing officers, and my
spies were costly. There has been sedition--conspiracy; but until I could
get the full proofs I waited; I could but bribe and wait. Were it not for
the money I had spent, there might have been another Prince of Egypt."
Kald's face darkened. He was startled, too. He had been taken unawares.
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