But rather than send us money the French have told our people not to pay taxes; so our treasury is empty.

Nevertheless, we contrived by one means and another.

We arranged a bank credit, and ordered supplies from abroad.

The supplies have reached Beirut, but the French have ordered the bank to cancel the credit, and until we pay for the supplies they are withheld." "Any gas masks among the supplies you ordered ?" Grim asked him; and Feisul nodded.
"That banker has played fast and loose with us until the last minute.
Relying on our undertaking not to molest foreigners he has resided in Damascus, making promises one day and breaking them the next, keeping his funds in Beirut and his agency here, draining money out of the country all the while." "Why didn't you arrest him ?" "We gave our word to the French that he should have complete protection and immunity.

It seemed a good thing to us to have such an influential banker here; he has international connections.