While he was speaking the triumphant blowing of trumpets and discordant beating of drums, heard faintly upon the evening air, announced the return of the victorious forces from what had doubtless been nothing much more serious than a slight skirmish. But it was serious enough for the friends. "What is to be done?" said the professor. "We shall have to go to the dying man's place." The Sheikh heard what was said, and turned to question the young chief at once. "No, Excellencies," he said; "the Emir is having his brother chief borne to his own house. He will be brought to the palace here, and will not be long." "Very well," said the Hakim gravely; "I will do my best. The instruments, Ben Eddin," he continued, "and what is necessary." Sam was already at the door, and Frank joined him, to prepare all that would be required, while the young chief looked on, eager and smiling, but standing aloof from the Hakim as if in perfect confidence as to the result, but feeling a superstitious dread of his power. There was an interval of waiting then, with the sound of the instruments preceding the triumphant warriors coming nearer and nearer, till all at once the young chief nodded smilingly to Frank, said a few words to the Sheikh, and hurried out. "What does that mean?" said the professor. "He has gone to see how the chief is and will come to see you as soon as they have brought him in. He says--" The Sheikh stopped short, and looked from one to the other as if perplexed. "What does he say?" asked the doctor sternly. "He said, O Hakim," replied the Sheikh humbly, "that he hoped his father's friend and brother was dead." "He said that! Why? Is this an enemy?" "No, Excellency; it is because others of the chief men and their doctors do not believe in you, and he wants to show them how great you are." The professor uttered a groan and glanced in a horrified way at his old friend, who sat now on a rug, looking perfectly calm in what seemed to be an emergency. "There is nothing to mind," he said. "The young man is superstitious and ignorant, but his father is wise and our friend. Let us hope that the chief is not dead; but gun-shot wounds are more to be dreaded than a gash from a knife or spear. Be perfectly calm, both of you; there is nothing to mind." "Of course not," said the professor, recovering himself now. "I was startled for the moment by that false alarm. No, there is nothing to mind, even if the other chiefs are sceptical. You have knowledge enough to win their respect." Further conversation was put an end to by the coming of the Emir himself, with his son, who entered, hot and covered with dust, to say a few words to the Sheikh, who bowed humbly to hear them. "The Emir bids me ask you to come and save his friend, O Hakim, but he fears that it is too late." The doctor rose at once, signed to his followers, and then motioned to the Emir to lead on.