Or perhaps they appeared after--well, never mind! "You have heard," said Tanofir, whereupon all four of them bowed their mysterious veiled heads.
"Now, my Brother," whispered Bes into my ear, "tell me, I pray you, how did four men who were not in the tent, hear what was said in this tent, and how did they come through the guards who have orders to kill anyone who does not know the countersign, especially men whose faces are wrapped in napkins ?" "I do not know," I answered, whereon Bes groaned, only Karema smiled a little as though to herself.
"Then, having heard, obey," said the holy Tanofir, whereon the four veiled ones bowed again.
"Will you not give them their orders, O most Venerable ?" inquired Bes doubtfully.
"I think it is needless," said Tanofir in a dry voice.

"Why try to teach those who know ?" "Will you not offer them something to eat, since they also must be hungry ?" I asked of Karema.
"Fool, be silent," she replied, looking on me with contempt.

"Do the--friends--of Tanofir need to eat ?" "I should have thought so after being beleaguered for a month in a starving town.

If the master wants to eat, why should not his men ?" I murmured.
Then a thought struck me and I was silent.
A general returned and reported that the orders had been executed and that all the army was afoot.
"Good," said Bes.

"Then start forthwith with five thousand men, and burn those ships, according to the plan laid down by the Queen Karema, which you heard her speak but now," and he named certain regiments that he should take with him, those of the general's own command, adding: "Save some of the ships if you can, and afterwards cross the Nile in them with your men, and join yourself either to my force or to that of the lord Shabaka, according to what you see.