I am a very great man of sin, and should have first torn out my tongue.
"But my life is in your hands, Master, and I have shared your salt.
Allah knows I was forced to speak.

_Shal'lah!_ (It is _Allah's_ will!) Allah will weigh my heart and will forgive, for he is the Compassionate, the Merciful! I beg you, Master, now let me go!" "Soon, Rrisa," the chief answered, turning away from the map.

"But first there is something of highest import I must show thee." "And what may that be, my sheik ?" the Arab queried, his widening eyes fixed on the blanket that covered the loot from Mecca.

Instinctively he sensed that some horrible sight was about to be presented to him.
His face paled even more.

He licked dry lips with a tongue equally dry, and leaned against the table to steady himself.