Frank shrugged his shoulders and glanced at the professor, who spoke. "We have heard that report so often," he said. "Yes, Excellency, but there is a great deal of stir and preparation. Two more Emirs have come into the city with their followers, and the people are in despair with the treatment they receive." The Hakim looked at him inquiringly. "They are being turned out of their houses in every direction to make room for the fighting men, and a word or look is enough to bring down a blow from a spear shaft or a thrust. I have seen five wounded men and women since I have been out." "If ever our troops do get up here," said the professor, "the common people will bless their coming." "Yes, Excellency, for it will mean punishment for their oppressors, and then peace. Everyone now who is not a fighting man and follower of the new Mahdi is a slave at the mercy of the invader. Ah, it is horrible what one has to see!" "But have you no news for me, Ibrahim?" said Frank, looking at him appealingly. "None, Ben Eddin, though I have not ceased to search and question where I can. Will your Excellencies get permission for me to go to Khartoum to search?" "No," said the Hakim quietly. "We may want you at any hour to help us with the camels." The Sheikh shook his head, with a look which suggested that any attempt to escape would be hopeless, and Frank was quick to read his thoughts. "You think we should be stopped?" he said. "Yes, Ben Eddin, perhaps before we had gone a quarter of a day's journey. We should certainly be pursued and brought back, or perhaps," he added solemnly, "not brought back--only the Hakim." There was a few minutes' silence, and then the old man turned to Frank. "I hurried back, Ben Eddin," he said, "because I feared that you would go out." "Yes, I am going," said Frank quietly. "No," said the old man; "you must stay. The followers of the Emirs who have come in have left their fighting men to roam about the city as they please. They are fresh from far away in the south, and hungry for spoil. Everyone who cannot lift sword or spear is to them one who may be plundered, and four men were in one house torturing a poor wretch to make him show where his money was hidden, after they had stripped his place of everything that took their fancy. I hurried away, for one cast hungry eyes upon my garments, and there was no help near. The young Excellency must not go out." "No one heeds me now," said Frank bitterly. "Besides, I had made up my mind to go to-day. You know what the Emir said." "Yes, Excellency, that you might go about the city if you liked to take the risk. But that was before the fresh fighting men had come-- fierce-looking dervishes these from the southern desert, I think, far down towards the Abyssinian lands." "I shall take the risk," said Frank. "My face will shelter me again." "Why run unnecessary risks?" said the Hakim gravely.