"Yes," said the doctor slowly, "so much to know, Ibrahim, and life seems so short. I would give even some of that for the greater power of healing that would enable me to say, This man will live." CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. A SCIENTIFIC MARVEL. The day broke at last, after a long and watchful night of silence, during which the Hakim had never left his patient's side, but he had insisted upon his companions taking watch and watch. The patient had not stirred, but lain as motionless as if already dead, apparently free from all suffering, and displaying symptoms which made the lines grow deeper in the doctor's brow. Twice over during the night a slight rustling of a curtain had startled the watchers, and thoughts of treachery had arisen; but in each case the rustling was succeeded by a weary sigh, and there was silence once more. The daylight which turned the lamp-rays pale was stealing in at the narrow window, when there was a louder rustle of the curtain, and the Emir entered, to find the Hakim bending over his friend, with Frank kneeling a short distance away. The chief glanced round for the interpreter, and then went to the door leading into the next room, to draw back directly, for the Sheikh and Landon were lying upon divans, asleep. The Emir nodded, and went straight to the Hakim, pointing down at the patient, questioning him with his eyes. "Yes," said the doctor, bowing his head; "he lives still, but I am afraid." The Emir seemed to grasp his meaning, and to enforce it Morris took the chiefs hand and separating his fingers, placed two upon the wounded man's pulse. There was a faint beating going on, and without another sign the Emir crossed to the curtain and passed out. The sun rose soon after, and filled the gloomy room with cheery light; but the hard, drawn countenance of the wounded man suggested that dissolution could not be far distant; and when a few minutes later the professor and the Sheikh came in, refreshed by a couple of hours' rest, the doctor, spoke in a low voice-- "Help me," he said; "I must make another examination at all risks;" and busy minutes followed, during which the probe was used, and used in vain. "He will sink in a few hours in spite of all I can do," said the doctor. "If I could trace that bullet there might be a chance, and I will try; but everything is against him here." "What do you mean to do?" asked the professor. The Hakim was silent, standing leaning over his patient, deep in thought, while his friends waited patiently for him to speak. It was no longer the calm, easy-going companion now, but the earnest student of the human frame, straining every mental fibre to the encounter in this emergency. A minute later he had turned to Frank, and spoke to him earnestly, with the result that the young man shook his head.