In her keeping lay three things more sacred than all else to Mohammedan hearts--Kaukab el Durri, the Great Pearl Star; Ha jar el As wad, the Black Stone; and Myzab, the Golden Waterspout.
Awed, silenced, the Legionaries stood there in the lower gallery, peering into the blood-stained nacelle.

Hard-bitten men, all, and used to the ways and usages of war; yet factors were present in this latest exploit that sobered and steadied them as never before.
The Master, still unmoved, merely smiled a peculiar smile as he commanded: "Major, have the stone and the golden spout carried to my cabin.

And, if you please, no remarks!" Bohannan picked a few men to fulfil the order.

Then he asked and received permission to retire to the smoke-room, for a pipe and a quiet half-hour, after having washed the dust and grime of battle from his hands and face.

The major's Celtic nerves needed tobacco and reflection as they had rarely needed them.
The Master, climbing up the ladder to the main gallery, left Leclair and a few off-duty men in the lower one.