“Certainly, suh. That was the proper course to pursue, professah. There were plenty of others who were ready to buy, in case you had a bargain to offah, and—as I was anxious to sell—a new recruit in the army obtained my harem fo’ a mere song. Of course, I regretted to part with my beautiful wives, and especially with Fatima, my favorite; but I could not take them with me, on account of the laws of the United States, and so, suh, I kissed Fatima good-by and turned the whole lot ovah to my successor.” “Er—er—ahem! Colonel, does the custom of selling harems still continue in this country, can you say?” “Why, certainly, suh, to a certain extent, suh. Are yo’ thinking of making a purchase, suh?” “Well, I—er—ahem!—I don’t know, exactly. You see, I—I’m likely to investigate. I wouldn’t mind looking a few harems over. If I found a bargain—er—ahem!—I might—— Well, you understand, colonel.” “The old reprobate!” exclaimed Dick, in a whisper. “So this is what he’s up to! This is why he wants to take an excursion trip up the Nile! I think I’ll have to find a way to teach him a lesson.” “Yes, suh,” said the voice of the professor’s companion; “I think I understand, suh. But it is possible, professah, that you do not understand yo’self, suh. When yo’ were a boy, did yo’ evah trade jackknives or anything of that sort, ‘unsight, unseen,’ suh?” “Why, yes, I——” “Well, suh, that’s the rule in purchasing a harem. It is the law of the country, professah, that no one save the ownah of a harem shall evah see the uncovered faces of its inmates. If yo’ make a purchase, yo’ have to take a chance on it. Yo’ may see the ladies in advance, but yo’ll not be permitted to see their faces.” “He! he!” again laughed Gunn. “That will make the game all the more fascinating. It adds an element of mystery and suspense. It piques me. If you don’t mind, colonel, I’ll have another nip from the decanter. I take it as a tonic, you know—merely as a tonic.” “Certainly, suh; help yo’self, suh.” “Do you think, colonel, that you might assist me in investigating a few harems?” “Why, yes, suh, it is quite likely I might. Having an extensive acquaintance in Cairo, it will be easy fo’ me to help yo’. I’ll find out what harems are on the market, suh. Drink hearty, professah.” “Well, here is luck and hoping I’ll strike a good bargain.” Dick did not linger longer. He returned to his room and was just in time to find Brad coming in from Budthorne’s room. “The old salamander!” cried the Texan, after listening to Dick’s story. “The old Mormon! Why, he’s married! He has a wife in the United States.” “Exactly.” “What does he think he’s doing, anyhow?” “He thinks he’s going to have a gay time in Cairo, evidently.” “We’ll have to stop it, pard.” “Oh, no!” “What?” “On the contrary, we’ll have to help it along.” “Hey?” shouted Buckhart, aghast. “Whatever do you mean?” “Just what I said.” “But it’s a crime! It’s scandalous! I’m astonished at you!”