The tumult and confusion which followed upon this announcement does not need to be detailed.Shoutings for the mkhaznia, infuriated commands to the guards, racings to the stables and the Kasbah yard, unhobbling of horses, stamping and clattering of hoofs, and scurryings through dark corridors of men carrying torches and flares.There was no attempt at resistance.That was seen to be useless.Both the civil guard and the soldiery had deserted.
The Kasbah was betrayed.Terror spread like fire.In very little time the Sultan and his company with their women and eunuchs, were gone from the town through the straggling multitude of their disorderly and dissolute and worthless soldiery lying asleep on the southern side of it.
Ben Aboo did not fly with Abd er-Rahman.He remembered that he had treasure, and as soon as he was alone he went in search of it.
There were fifty thousand dollars, sweat of the life-blood of innocent people.No one knew the strong-room except himself, for with his own hand he had killed the mason who built it.
In the dark he found the place, and taking bags in both his hands and hiding them under the folds of his selham, he tried to escape from the Kasbah unseen.