THE SECOND CHRISTMAS EVE The skies were clear when we left Turin, and the air pure and free.

We had not got far into France, however, when we found everything changed.
It was snow--snow everywhere.

On ordinary occasions I should not have minded much, but now everything depended on my getting to London at a certain hour.

How slowly the train seemed to creep, to be sure; and how long we stopped at the little roadside stations! Simon did his best to cheer me, while Kaffar furtively watched us both, as if in fear.

I was silent and fearful, for I felt sure the Egyptian meditated escape.