"
"Sure to. What was it?"
"That I was sorry my friend, Mr. Knight, had got news which would call
him away from Algiers before the dinner. I said you'd be going on board
the _Charles Quex_ to-morrow when she leaves for Marseilles."
"But Maieddine can find out----"
"That's just what we want. He can find out that your ticket's taken, if
we do take it. He can see you go on board if he likes to watch or send a
spy. But he mustn't see you sneaking off again with the Arab porters who
carry luggage. If you think anything of the plan, you'll have to stand
the price of a berth, and let some luggage you can do without, go to
Marseilles. I'll see you off, and stop on board till the last minute.
You'll be in your cabin, putting on the clothes I wear sometimes when I
want some fun in the old town--striped wool burnous, hood over your
head, full white trousers--good 'props,' look a lot the worse for
wear--white stockings like my Kabyle servants have; and you can rub a
bit of brown grease-paint on your legs where the socks leave off. That's
what I do. Scheme sounds complicated; but so is an Arab's brain. You've
got to match it. What do you say?"
"I say 'done!'" Stephen answered.
"Thought you would. Some fellows'd think it too sensational; but you
can't be too sensational with Arabs, if you want to beat 'em. This ought
to put Maieddine off the scent. If he's watching, and sees you--as he
thinks--steam calmly out of Algiers harbour, and if he knows I'm
entertaining people at my house, he won't see why he need go on
bothering himself with extra precautions.
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