They carry it across the yard, and out into
the street.
He hears them lock the door from the outside; hears the murmuring of
voices, and then all is again quiet. What was the cot intended for?
What could it all mean?
He listens, and looks around anxiously; but all is still. Perhaps
his care and anxiety have been groundless; perhaps these are only
things the servants are carrying to the ship to prepare for
Cousrouf's departure on the morrow.
He again listens awhile, and then returns through the garden to the
pavilion. Wearily he throws himself on his cushions, and lies there,
for a moment, with closed eyes.
Now he hears footsteps approaching. Who can it be? he asks in a low
voice, and the two servants emerge from the darkness, come to his
side, and whisper something in his ear. Osman draws a breath of
relief.
"Allah be praised, he is coming, he is saved!"
Yes, other footsteps are now rapidly approaching, and, in a moment,
Mohammed is at his friend's side.
"You called me, my friend, and here I am! What has happened?"
"I do not know, Mohammed. It seems to be nothing, and yet my heart
was filled with care and anxiety on your account, and I could not
resist the inclination to call you. Listen: Nadeg was among the
cliffs not far from the entrance of your cave, to which you came
late at night. He was standing guard there, but be was not alone,"
"He was not alone? What does that mean?" asked Mohammed, in dismay.
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