In no corner was there any darkness or
concealment. And all day a crowd jostled and shouted up and down these
streets--for that is the Mahdist policy to crowd the towns so that all
may be watched and every other man may be his neighbour's spy. Feversham
dared not seek the shelter of a roof at night, for he dared not trust
his tongue. He could buy his food each day at the booths, but he was
afraid of any conversation. He slept at night in some corner of the old
deserted town, in the acres of the ruined fives-courts. For the same
reason he must not slink in the by-ways by day lest any should question
him about his business; nor listen on the chance of hearing Yusef's name
in the public places lest other loiterers should joke with him and draw
him into their talk. Nor dare he in the daylight prowl about those
crumbled ruins. From sunrise to sunset he must go quickly up and down
the streets of the town like a man bent upon urgent business which
permits of no delay. And that continued for a fortnight, Miss Eustace! A
weary, trying life, don't you think? I wish I could tell you of it as
vividly as he told me that night upon the balcony of the palace at
Suakin."
Ethne wished it too with all her heart.
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