John stood up so fast that his chair fell over behind him. “Are you the man who took her?”
“No,” the young man replied simply, not wavering under the stormy blue eyes that glared at him.
John calmed down when he saw that he would not have to do battle.
“How far is it to your camp?”
“We will not have to travel to my camp.”
“Well, then—”
“Your sister is outside.”
“Outside!”
“We have traveled many days. She is asleep on her horse. You can see her from your window.”
John rushed to the window overlooking the street. After a moment, he turned back to the Arab with anger showing on his tanned face.
“You lied! There’s no one out there except an Arab boy leaning over a horse. What did you expect to gain by this trick?”
“Ah—you English are so skeptical. Did you expect your sister to be dressed as was her custom? She has been living with my people and has dressed as they do. If you will go outside, you will see the truth of my words,” the Arab replied, then turned on his heel and left the room.
It was too simple to be a trick, John thought. All he had to do was walk outside and see for himself. Why was he still standing here? John picked up the sack of money and followed the Arab outside. It had to be true.
Outside in the sun-baked street, John ran to the two horses tethered in front of the building. He stopped beside the silky black Arabian with the dusty, black-robed figure on its back. If this was another trick, he was afraid he might tear the young Arab standing beside him limb from limb.
If this was Crissy, all he had to do was lift the blackkufiyahcovering her face, and find out. It was that simple.
Just then the horse moved, and the sleeping figure slowly started to fall. John caught her in his arms. As he did so, thekufiyahfell back to reveal a dirty, tear-streaked face that he would have recognized anywhere.
“Crissy! Oh, God—Crissy!”
Christina opened her eyes for a moment and whispered John’s name, then sagged against him, her head nestling against his shoulder.
“As I said, she has gone two days and nights without rest. All she needs is sleep.”
John turned to look at the young man who had brought his sister back to him.
“I owe you an apology for doubting you. I am eternally grateful for what you have done. If you will take the money from my hand, it’s yours.”
“I am more than happy that I could do this service for you. I will go now, but when Christina wakes, tell her I wish her well.”
He took the reins of the black horse, mounted his own, and rode off down the street.
John looked down at Christina sleeping peacefully in his arms. Thank God, he thought. Please help me make it up to Christina for what she has suffered.
John carried Christina inside. He sat down in the chair across from Sergeant Towneson’s desk, still holding Christina tenderly.
“Lieutenant! Did she faint in the street? You had better set her down, sir. The dust on her robe is dirtying your uniform.”
“Stop your babbling, Sergeant. I will do no such thing. But I will tell you what you are going to do. First, have my carriage brought around to the front. Then you can inform Colonel Bigley I’m leaving for the day.”
“Leaving? But what if the colonel asks why?”
“Tell him I’ve found my sister and I’m taking her to my quarters. Do you think you can manage that, Sergeant?”
“Yes, sir. But you don’t mean to say that this girl here is your sister?” The sergeant was sorry he’d asked when he saw the cold glint in Lieutenant Wakefield’s eyes.
