But I will send with her men of
my own, to travel by her side, and refuse to surrender her until my
child is given into their hands."
"That is easy to arrange," Stephen agreed. "I will telegraph to my
friend, who is by this time--as you can see by your letter--two days'
journey away or more. He will return with your son, and an escort, but
only a certain distance. I will meet him at some place appointed, and we
will hand the boy over to your men."
"It will be better that the exchange should be made here," said the
marabout.
"I can see why it might be so from your point of view, but that view is
not ours. You have too much power here, and frankly, I don't trust you.
You'll admit that I'd be a fool if I did! The meeting must be at some
distance from your Zaouia."
The marabout raised his eyebrows superciliously. They said--"So thou art
afraid!" But Stephen was not to be taunted into an imprudence where
Victoria's safety was at stake.
"Those are our terms," he repeated.
"Very well, I accept," said the Arab. "Thou mayest send a message to the
lady, inviting her to leave my house with thee; and I assure thee, that
in any case I would have no wish to keep her, other than the desire of
hospitality. Thou canst take her at once, if she will go; and passing
through the city, with her and my men, thou canst send thy telegram.
Appoint as a meeting place the Bordj of Toudja, one day's march from the
town of Oued Tolga.
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