38 THE SECRET OF SAHARA: KUFARA 



a white jerd, was waiting just outside the main door. 

 A few minutes later there was the faintest scratch 

 on the heavy wood. Almost before he had pulled it 

 open seven dark figures, muffled up to the eyes, utterly 

 unrecognisable, slipped into the yard. Not a word was 

 uttered. Dexterously they shouldered the provision sacks 

 and stepped away into the night without a murmur. Of 

 course they simply revelled in the mystery and secrecy 

 of it, but we wondered how soon rumour would reach 

 the bazaar! 



