Elation shone in his face and in the faces of all.

The problem now had simplified itself to just this: What weight of jewels and of gold could _Nissr_, by jettisoning every dispensable thing, whatsoever, carry out of El Barr, over the Iron Mountains and the Arabian Desert, back to the civilization that would surely make peace with the Legion which would bring such incalculable wealth?
Even the Master's level head swam a little, and his cool nerves tingled, as he sat on his galloping white horse, riding beside the Olema, with the thunder of the rushing squadrons--Arabs and his own men--like music of vast power in his ears.
He did not, however, lose the coldly analytic faculty that weighed all contingencies.

The adventure still was critical; but the scales of success seemed lowering in favor of the Legion.

The feel, in his breast pocket, of the leather sack containing Kaukab el Durri, which he had again taken possession of after the magic tests, gave added encouragement.

This, the third gift, was to be delivered only at the last moment, just before _Nissr_ should roar aloft.
"I think," reflected the Master, "the Pearl Star is an important factor.