"Say,
perhaps it was--cute as she can be, maybe, wouldn't like it, might be
prejudiced."
Suddenly David turned sharply to Lacey. "Thee spoke of silver mining just
now. I owe thee something like two hundred thousand pounds, I
think--Egypt and I."
Lacey winked whimsically at himself under the rim of his helmet. "Are you
drawing back from those concessions, Saadat?" he asked with apparent
ruefulness.
"Drawing back? No! But does thee think they are worth--"
Lacey assumed an injured air. "If a man that's made as much money as me
can't be trusted to look after a business proposition--"
"Oh, well, then!"
"Say, Saadat, I don't want you to think I've taken a mean advantage of
you; and if--"
David hastened to put the matter right. "No, no; thee must be the judge!"
He smiled sceptically. "In any case, thee has done a good deed in a great
way, and it will do thee no harm in the end. In one way the investment
will pay a long interest, as long as the history of Egypt runs. Ah, see,
the houses of Assouan, the palms, the river, the masts of the dahabiehs!"
Lacey quickened his camel's steps, and stretched out a hand to the
inviting distance.
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