Show me a trick that can defeat the Abu Lissan men, and surely I will call thee friend!" "Suppose we make a bargain, then," said Grim.
_"Taib._ I am ready." "Giving pledges for fulfilment." "You mean I shall give pledges to the British ?" "Hardly," Grim answered.

"If they took a pledge from you that would be like signing a treaty, wouldn't it?
I have no authority to sign a treaty.

This must be a bargain between me and thee." _"Taib."_ "It is known," said Grim, "that you have money on deposit with the Bank of Egypt." "A lie! A lie!" snapped Ali Higg.

"Who said it ?" "Fifty thousand pounds in gold was the exact amount, deposited at six percent, and interest to be compounded every half-year," said Grim.

"And because the Koran denounces usury by Moslems, and you are a pious man--and also perhaps because of the risk attached to using your name in the matter--your wife Jael's name was used.
Nevertheless, your seal was used at the time as a check on her.
Now, at a word from me the British would impound that money, interest and all." "A murrian on them! But you spoke of being friends ?" "And of a pledge between you and me.