'It is we who must make the first move,' said he; 'and we shall force Feisul to move after us by moving in his name.' Whereat this man here, whose nose was broken on the fist of Jeremy sahib, said that a letter bearing Feisul's seal would make the matter easier.

'For the men,' said he, 'who are to slit Jews' throats will ask first for proof of our authority to bid them begin the business.' "And at that speech Yussuf Dakmar laughed with great delight.

'Better late than never!' said he.

'Better to think of a wise precaution now than not at all! But oh, ye are an empty-headed crew!' he told them.
'I pity the conspiracy that had no better planning than ye would make for it without my fore thought! I thought of this long ago! I sent a message to Damascus, begging that a date be set and just such a letter sent to us.

Feisul, I knew, would sign no such letter; but the paper he uses lies on an open desk, and there are men about him who have access to his seal.