your life," he said apologetically. "A bomb. My men did not see it placed because of the many curves in the street."For a short while there were only breathing sounds in the car.The car came to a slightly wider highway and moved more swiftly. Presently Ghalil went on:"I was saying, Mr. Mannard, that when Mr. Coghlan writes the memorandum we showed him yesterday, he will wish things to happen exactly as they will have happened. For that reason he will not be explicit in his message. He will not mention rifleshots or bombs, times or locales. Knowing this, I trust that you will survive until the affair is concluded. I am making every effort to bring it about."Coghlan found his voice. He said savagely: "But you can't risk lives on crazy reasoning like that!" "I am taking every sane precaution," Ghalil said tiredly. "Among them, I shall ask you to remain at the Hotel Petra tonight, with my men guarding you as well as Mr. Mannard and Miss Mannard." "If there's any risk to her, I'm certainly staying!" growled Coghlan.

The car emerged into still wider streets. There were more people about, now. Here, in the modern section, all lights were electric. Here were motion-picture theatres, and motor-cars, and people in wholly European dress instead of the compromises between Eastern and Western costume to be found in the poorer quarters. The Hotel Petra loomed up, impressively illuminated. The police-car stopped before it. Ghalil got out and looked casually about him. A lounger, nearby, signaled inconspicuously. Ghalil nodded. The lounger moved away. Ghalil opened the car-door for the others to emerge. "I impose myself upon you also," he said politely. "I shall stay on watch until affairs mature."

They entered the lobby, went toward the lift, only slightly reassured by bustle and bright lights. Coghlan said suddenly: "Where's Duval? He's in this too!" "He remains at 80 Hosain," said Ghalil briefly. "Poor man! He is wedded to logic and in love with the past. He is sorely tempted to a crime of passion! But I have left men with him."

They crowded into the lift. It rose. There was a man polishing woodwork in the hall outside Mannard's suite. He looked like a hotel employee, but nodded to Lieutenant Ghalil. "One of my men," the Turk said. "All is well so far. There are other guards."

They went into the suite. Mannard looked definitely grim. "I'm going to order something to eat," he told Ghalil. "It's nearly ten o'clock, and we all missed dinner. But we're going to get this thing thrashed out! I want some straight talk! If that's the truth about somebody leaving a bomb on the 

 Prev. P 40/60 next