There are several officials' wives who would jump at the chance to be useful; but a sudden trip toward Damascus just now would cause any one of them to be suspected, whereas Mabel wouldn't be." "I don't know why not!" Ticknor retorted.

"Wasn't she in here when those three murderers came to finish the lot of us?
If Yussuf Dakmar makes any report at all he'll surely say he traced the letter to this house." "Yussuf Dakmar came no nearer than the street," Grim answered.

"He has no notion who is in here.

His three friends are in jail under lock and key, where he can't get at them.

How long have you had this house?
Since yesterday, isn't it?
D'you kid yourself that Yussuf Dakmar knows who lives here ?" "I can get leave of absence.