voided by her flight before she was added to his household and he acquired any natural rights over her in accordance with our law.  Now for my part, I, as Emir, make no claim to this woman, holding it a hateful thing before God to force one into my household who has no wish to dwell there, especially when I know her to be married or affianced to another man.  Still, as here also are involved high questions of law, I command that the lady Heliodore, daughter of the late Prince Magas, shall also be conveyed with all courtesy and honour to the Caliph Harun at Baghdad, there to abide his judgment of her case.  The matter is finished.  Let the officers concerned carry out my decree and answer for the safety of these prisoners with their lives.”

“The matter is not finished,” shouted the ex-Emir Musa.  “You, Obaidallah, have uttered this false judgment because your heart is black towards me whom you have displaced.”

“Then appeal against it,” said Obaidallah, “but know that if you attempt to lay hands upon this lady, my orders are that you be cut down as an enemy to the law.  Patriarch of the Christians, you sail for Baghdad to visit the Caliph at his request in a ship that he has sent for you.  Into your hands I give these prisoners under guard, knowing that you will deal well with them, who are of your false faith.  To you also who have the Caliph’s ear, Allah knows why, I will entrust letters making true report of all this matter.  Let proper provision be made for the comfort of the General Olaf and of those with him.  Musa, may your greetings at the Court of Baghdad be such as you deserve; meanwhile cease to trouble me.”

At the door of that hall I was separated from Heliodore and Martina and led to some house or prison, where I was given a large room with servants to wait upon me.  Here I slept that night, and on the morrow asked when we sailed for Beirut on our way to Baghdad.  The chief of the servants answered that he did not know.  During that day I was visited by Yusuf, the officer who had captured us on board the Diana.  He also told me that he did not know when we sailed, but certainly it would not be for some days.  Further, he said that I need have no fear for the lady Heliodore and Martina, as they were well treated in some other place.  Then he led me into a great garden, where he said I was at liberty to walk whenever I pleased.

Thus began perhaps the most dreadful time of waiting and suspense in all this life of mine, seeing that it was the longest.  Every few days the officer Yusuf would visit me and talk of many matters, for we became friends.  Only of Heliodore and Martina he could or would tell me nothing, nor of when we were to set out on our journey to Baghdad.  I asked to be allowed to speak with the Patriarch Politian, but he answered that this was impossible, as he had been called away from Alexandria for a little while.  Nor could I have audience with the Emir Obaidallah, for he too had been called away.