Merriwell was puzzled, for he felt that there was something behind the old man’s strange contentment in that foreign city. “Well, I don’t think Brad and I will go off on any excursion by ourselves.” “Why not take Budthorne and Nadia along? That’s a good idea. They’ll enjoy it.” “I believe you are anxious to get rid of us. There’s something doing, Brad.” “Sure thing, pard,” agreed the Texan. But the old man protested that they were quite wrong. “I wish you to see all of the world that you can on this trip, that’s all. You’ll be quite comfortable on the excursion boat.” “Not if the blamed boat carries as large a cargo of fleas and biting and stinging things as we struck on the boat from Yafa to Alexandria,” growled the Texan. “I was all chawed up by the time I landed from that old craft. My hide looked like a map of Asia pricked out in red splotches, and lines, and bumps, and scratches. The fleas and other varmints of this yere part of the world sure do love the taste of a foreigner.” “I don’t think there will be such pests on the excursion boat,” said Zenas quickly. “Well, I fancy we can get along without making that excursion,” observed Dick. “I’m for getting out of Cairo and continuing on our journey.” “So am I,” seconded Brad. “Oh, but I’m not ready,” protested the professor. “My dear boys, this is the most interesting country in the world. You don’t seem to appreciate it. You don’t seem to understand that investigation and science have established the fact that more than six thousand years ago the people of this country had acquired a high degree of civilization and culture, and that in those distant ages there flourished right here in the valley of the Nile an educated priesthood, cultured society, an elaborate system of theology and a splendid and powerful form of government. The people were then far advanced in religion, architecture, painting, sculpture, philosophy, and astronomy. Oh, my dear boys, I must remain here a while longer to study and to investigate these matters.” Dick winked at Brad once more. “We haven’t observed you studying or investigating a great deal, professor,” he said. “Oh, I study far more than you suppose. I investigate by observation.” “Well, if you wish to investigate the records of former civilization, it seems to me you cannot do better than to take a trip up the Nile, along which you will see the ruins of ancient cities and temples. You should visit the ruins of Thebes, see the temple of Rameses and behold the wonders of Karnak.” “I’ll have to forego that pleasure,” said Zenas; “but I will not deprive you of it. You must go, boys—you shall go! I’ll make arrangements for it.” But both lads positively declined, much to the vexation of the old man. “Hum! haw!” he coughed. “I did have a vague idea that I was your guardian during this trip; but it seems that I am not.”