For--dost thou see ?--they must first make the capture.

What I would most like to know is this: where is all that treasure, now ?" "I cannot tell you, Master." "At Mecca ?" "No, Master, not at Mecca." "Then where ?" "_M'alme!_ My lips are sealed as the Forbidden Books!" "Not against the commands of thy sheik--and I am thy sheik!" Rrisa's lips twitched.

The inner struggle of his soul reflected itself in his lean, brown face.

At last he aroused himself to make answer: "The treasure, Master, is far to the south-east--in another city." "Ah! So there _is_ another city far out in Ruba el Khali, the Empty Abodes!" "Yea, _M'alme_, that is so." "Then the ancient rumor is true?
And it is from near that city that thou didst come, eh?
By Allah's power, I command thee to tell me of this hidden city of the central deserts!" "This thing I cannot do, my sheik." "This thing thou must do!" "O Master! It is the secret of all secrets! Spare me this!" "No Rrisa, thou must obey.

Far inside El Hejaz (the barrier), that city is lying for my eyes to behold.