And then the group remained speechless in horror and disgust, for they suddenly became aware of the fact that Sam had silently entered with a letter upon a silver waiter, and had stopped short close to the door, to stand staring in astonishment at the living picture spread before his eyes. These seemed starting, while his brow was lined, the rest of his face puckered, and his mouth opened, at the same time his muscles relaxing so that the silver waiter dropped a little and the letter fell upon the soft carpet with a light pat which in the silence sounded loud. CHAPTER FOUR. THE NEW RECRUIT. For a few moments the picture was at its best, actors and spectator looking as rigid as if carved in wood or stone. Then all was over, the doctor dropping the stick and scrambling up; Frank putting the tongs into the fender, Sam stooping to pick up the letter from the carpet, and the professor tearing his fez off his head, to dash it on the floor. "Hang it!" he cried angrily; "destroyed the illusion! There, it's all over, Frank. I can't see it now." "Beg pardon, sir. Letter, sir," said Sam stiffly, and he was as rigid as a drill sergeant, and his face like wood in its absence of all expression, as he stared hard over the waiter at his master, whose fingers trembled and cheeks coloured a little as he took the missive. "Ahem!" said the doctor uneasily, and Sam, who was about to wheel about and leave the room, stood fast. "A--er--er--a little experiment, Samuel," he continued. "Yes, sir," said the man quietly. "Er--errum--Samuel," said the doctor; "the fact is, I--er--we--er--we do not wish this--that you have seen just now--talked about downstairs." "Suttonly _not_! sir," said the man sharply, though the moment before he had been chuckling to himself about how he would make cook laugh about the games being carried on in the study. "Thank you, Samuel," said the doctor, clearing his throat and gaining confidence as he went on. "The fact is, Samuel, a confidential servant ought to be trustworthy." "Suttonly, sir," said Sam. "And hear, see, and--" "Say nothing, sir, of course. You may depend upon me, sir." "Thank you, Samuel. Well, after what you heard last night you will not be surprised that we have decided to go out to Egypt at once in search of Mr Harry Frere." "Not a bit, sir. Just what I should expect." "Exactly, Samuel. To go up the country means, you see, the necessity of dressing ourselves like the people out there." "Yes, sir; much better for the climate." "And that is why we were, so to speak, going through a little practice." "Suttonly, sir. Quite right. And about luggage, sir. What shall I get ready?" "Ah! That requires a little consideration, Samuel. I'll go into that with you by and by." "Very good, sir. But I should like to ask one question." "Certainly, Samuel," said the doctor gravely; "what is it?" "Only this, sir. When do we start?"