"Then we'll get there first!" exclaimed Dr. Kirshner. "No thieves will get ahead of us. I think it might be well to start on the journey at once--that is, if you can go that soon," he said to the Arab, who nodded. "But how will we know where to go without the map?" asked Mr. Lewis. "I have general idea," Fekmah returned. "I studied it so much that know about where go. And I can leave any time." "Fine!" blurted out Dr. Kirshner. "We'll get our belongings together and leave tomorrow. But first let me introduce my friends. I don't believe you're acquainted with them," and he proceeded to introduce the Arab to Mr. Holton, Mr. Lewis, and Bob and Joe. "Now let us all come up to my room," said Fekmah. "We can talk over plans for the treasure search. There are much things you should know." They walked on up the street to a comparatively large building and were led in the door and up the stairs by Fekmah. "So this is the hotel where he's staying," said Bob, casting eager eyes about the place. "Sure is luxurious," remarked Joe. "It's the best in town." The Arab's room was halfway down the hall, and to it they went. "Now sit down," directed Fekmah, "and we will talk things over." They did so and then made ready for what the Arab had to say. There was a short silence. Then Fekmah resumed the conversation. "Like Dr. Kirshner said, we should leave at once if expect to find the hidden riches before the thieves get ahead of us," he began, showing an unusual ability to speak English correctly. "There are two routes we can take to get to the edge of the desert. We can take the railroad to Oran and then to Figuig, or can get on train to Wargla." He moved over to a small satchel and took out a cloth map, which he unfolded and laid on a small table that was in the middle of the room. The map was French, and although the naturalists and their sons had a slight knowledge of that language, Dr. Kirshner and Fekmah were the only ones who knew it thoroughly. "I think we can make out enough to satisfy ourselves, though," said Mr. Holton. The Arab traced the one route and then the other, pointing out the possibilities of each one. The object was to take a train to the farthest point in the desert possible and start the expedition from there on camelback. "Now," continued Fekmah, "our destination is the Ahaggar Mountains. They are about seventeen hundred kilometers (about a thousand miles) from here. From what we measured, the best route is to go to Wargla and get camels from there. What you think?" "I believe you're right," returned Dr. Kirshner. "That route is much shorter, and we'll have less difficulty in finding our way from Wargla than from Figuig. Nearly all expeditions depart from Wargla, and there are numerous small settlements on the way to the Ahaggar Mountains. Can we get a train in the morning?" The Arab nodded. "There about three trains a day out," he said. "I believe one leaves in morning, so we can get there easy."