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.We proceeded to the city and adopted the amir's practice of establishing camp a short distance outside the city walls.While the rafiq and Danes prepared the tents, Faysal and I hastened to procure the services of a physician.Arabs were a common sight in the busy streets of Sebastea so no one made bold to hinder us as we made our way to the marketplace.There, I selected the most prosperous-looking money-changer--a gold and silver merchant with a red-and-blue striped canopy over his stall--and asked him who was the most skilled physician in the city."Theodore of Sykeon is the man you seek," replied the merchant without hesitation.Regarding Faysal and myself shrewdly, he added, "I must caution you however, his services will not be bought cheaply.This, I find, is the rule with all men who ply their arts at the pinnacle of perfection, and the excellent Theodore is no exception."I thanked the merchant, and inquired where Theodorecould be found, that we might secure his services without delay.But the merchant would not send us away like errand boys."Only tell me where you are staying and I will have one of my servants bring him to you."I thanked him for his thoughtfulness, but declined."The need is urgent, and we are anxious that there should be no delay.I think it best to arrange matters ourselves.""Make no mistake," the gold merchant replied graciously, "it is not compassion, but self-interest that prompts me: For if you are men who do not shrink from engaging the very best for your ailing friend, then I think such men may require other services while sojourning in Sebastea," he allowed himself an appreciative glance at the Qadi's jewelled handle protruding from my belt, "perhaps the services of a money-changer.Should this need arise, I hope you will deem itnecessary to look no further than your humble servant, Hadjidakis."With that, he took up and rang a small brass bell, and a slender and barefoot youth appeared."Now then," Hadjidakis said, "where are you staying?" I told him, and he relayed the information to the young man, speaking in a language I did not understand.The youth nodded once and darted away into the thronging marketplace."You may return to your friend in confidence: Theodore of Sykeon will be with you shortly.Unless," he said hopefully, "there is anything else I can do for you?""A small matter comes to mind," I said."We have business with the governor.I am told he resides in the city.Is this so?""Indeed so," he answered."Even now Exarch Honorius occupies a palace in the street next to the forum.It is not difficult to find.Askanyone, they will tell you the way."I thanked Hadjidakis again, and we made our way back to camp, returning only a few moments before thephysician himself appeared.A man of mature years, small-boned and neat-featured, he was dressed simply and impeccably in a white linen cloak and mantle.A gold chain hung heavily around his neck and a blue hat of soft cloth sat far back on his head.He arrived in a covered chair borne by four Ethiope slaves led by the youth in Hadjidakis'employ.Upon ascertaining that he had not been led astray, the physician paid the youth with a bronze coin, then ordered his slaves to lower the chair."I am Theodore," he said simply, making a small bow."If you would kindly take me to the sufferer, I will make my examination now."I conducted the physician to the amir's tent and entered to find Kazimain and Ddewi, as always, by his side."Here is the physician," I told them, "he has come to tend Amir Sadiq.We will leave him to make his examination.""There is no need," Theodore replied affably."Please, stay, my friends, if you will.I may have cause to question you about his care."This impressed Kazimain, who, when I had translated the physician's words, replied that Theodore put her in mind of Farouk, which she considered a very auspicious sign.Ddewi favoured the newcomer with a sharply appraising glance of his solitary eye, but said nothing.As the tent was somewhat crowded, I elected to wait outside and instructed Theodore to come to me when he finished.Upon emerging from the tent, I met Faysal lingering by the entrance."I believe we havedone the best for Lord Sadiq," I told him."Pray Allah it is enough."Leading him a few paces from the tent, I said, "Faysal, I would like your opinion of a thing I have been considering." So saying, I began to relate my suspicions regarding the governor's place in Nikos's treachery.He listened, nodding now and again to himself."You have ]earned something of subtlety, my friend," he said appreciatively."If the governor stands at the heart of the mystery, then we must go to him and see what we can learn."Theodore emerged from the amir's tent just then.Stepping quickly to where we stood, he said, "I have concluded my examination." He spoke with clipped efficiency."The amir is in distress by reason of a head wound---as you know.The bone at the base of his skull has been crushed.It is my belief that bleeding inside the skull has brought about his unfortunate condition.""Will he live?" I asked."The injury is severe," he said with smooth evasion."That he remains alive even now is a credit to the young man who attends him." He looked from me to Faysal and back again."Yet, I am puzzled.""Yes?""The wound is in no way recent;" he said, "and I see by your camp that you have been travelling.Is this so?""We have come from Amida," I told him."There was no help for him there, so we came north to obtain the best care for the amir."Theodore shook his head in amazement."Then the young man's skill is more extraordinary than I imagined.Together we will undertake the healing of Lord Sadiq." Placing his palms together neatly, he said, "I trust this meets with your approval?""As you will," Faysal replied."We defer to your learning and judgement.""Then, if you will excuse me, I must send for certain of my tools.This evening we must perform a most delicate operation.I need time toprepare." With that he hastened to speak to his slaves, two of whom departed on the run.Returning to the tent, Theodore bowed once in our direction and then entered."Come, Faysal," I said, "I think we must pay a visit to the governor."We found our way to the forum quickly and easily; the many-pillared colonnade in the heart of the city could be seen from any of several approaches.Once there, locating the street Hadjidakis had mentioned posed no greater difficulty.The governor's house was large, with a single door opening almost directly onto the street, save for two steps rising between two ornate columns
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