Presently, however, she was conscious of another sound--the soft clip of
oars, joined to the guttural, explosive song of native rowers; and,
leaning over the rail, she saw a boat draw alongside the Nefert. From it
came the figure of Nahoum Pasha, who stepped briskly on deck, in his
handsome face a light which flashed an instant meaning to her.
"I know--I know! Claridge Pasha--you have heard?" she said excitedly, as
he came to her.
He smiled and nodded. "A messenger has arrived. Within a few hours he
should be here."
"Then it was all false that he was wounded--ah, that horrible story of
his death!"
"Bismillah, it was not all false! The night before the great battle he
was slightly wounded in the side. He neglected it, and fever came on; but
he survived. His first messengers to us were killed, and that is why the
news of the relief came so late. But all is well at last. I have come to
say so to Lady Eglington--even before I went to the Effendina." He made a
gesture towards a huge and gaily-caparisoned dahabieh not far away.
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