“I’ll sign such a letter,” said I.

“Good.  Here are pen and paper.  Let’s have it all in your handwriting.  I’ll call a clerk to witness the signature.”

I wrote down the simple statement that I wished to go to El-Kerak for personal reasons, and that I waived all claim against the British Administration for personal protection, whether there or en route.  A clerk, who looked as if he could not have been hired to know, or understand, or remember anything without permission, came in answer to the bell.  I signed.  He witnessed.

Sir Louis put the letter in a drawer, and the clerk went out again.

“How soon will you go?”

I told about the promised escort, and that a day or two would be needed to get word to ben Nasir.  I forgot that ben Nasir would not start before moonrise.  It appeared that Sir Louis knew more than he cared to admit.

“Can’t we get word to ben Nasir for him, Grim?”

Grim nodded.  So did Sir Louis: 

“Good.  There’ll be no need, then, for you to take any one into confidence,” he said, turning to me again.  “As a rule it isn’t well to talk about these things, because people get wrong ideas.  There are others in Jerusalem who would like permission to go to El-Kerak.”

“I’ll tell nobody.”

He nodded again.  He was still considering things in the back of his mind, while those intelligent, bright eyes smiled so disarmingly.

“How do you propose to reach the Dead Sea?” he asked.  “Ben Nasir’s escort will probably meet you on the shore on this side.”

“Oh, hire some sort of conveyance, I suppose.”

“Couldn’t we lend him one of our cars, Grim?”

Grim nodded again.

“We’ll do that.  Grim, can you get word to ben Nasir so that when the escort is ready he may send a messenger straight to the hotel with the information?  D’you get my meaning?”

“Sure,” said Grim, “nobody else need know then.”

“Very well,” said Sir Louis.  He rose from his chair to intimate that the precise moment had arrived when I might leave without indiscretion.  It was not until I was outside the door that I realized that my permission was simply verbal, and that the only document that had changed hands had been signed by me.  Grim followed me into the ante-room after a minute.

“Hadn’t I better go back and ask for something in writing from him?” I suggested.

“You wouldn’t get it.  Anyhow, you’re dealing with a gentleman.  You needn’t worry.  I was afraid once or twice you might be going to ask him questions.  He’d have canned you if you had.  Why didn’t you?”

I was not going to help Grim dissect my mental processes.

“There’s a delightful air of mystery,” I said, “I’d hate to spoil it!”

“Come up on the tower,” he said.  “There’s just time before sunset.  If you’ve good eyes, I’ll show you El-Kerak.”