But who knows when you will receive your pay? We
a11 share danger and want together, however; therefore let us share
the good things of this world together. Five purses I will keep for
myself, five purses belong to my soldiers. My housekeeper will go
down into the courtyard with you, and distribute the money among
you. I give it, not as your pay, but as a token of my friendship and
satisfaction."
"Long live our general!" shouted the men; and they rushed forward,
fell on their knees, and kissed his garments. He bade them rise,
called his housekeeper, and gave him the five purses. The latter
then went down with the soldiers to the courtyard. Mohammed followed
them with his eyes, his countenance lighted up with a peculiar smile
"Now they are mine! With the money I gave them, I have bought their
souls! Yes, they are mine! The seed I have sown is ripening. O
Cousrouf, only follow my advice! Insult the one woman who is above
all honored and esteemed in Cairo, the one before whom all bow in
reverence--insult her, that the harvest-day of my revenge may soon
come! But one thing still remains to be done: Sitta Nefysseh must be
warned."
He stealthily stepped out into the garden through the side gate.
Unseen by his soldiers he hastily crossed the park, and, opening a
small door in the high wall that surrounded it, stepped out into the
street.
It was silent and deserted.
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