"Of course, sir," said Sam, with his face wrinkling with perplexity. "I'll hold him in anything you like. I won't say a word to a soul. I won't know anything, and I hope Mr Hakim will be as satisfied with me as master has always been." "And you think I have always been satisfied with you, Samuel?" said the doctor, smiling pleasantly. "I think so, sir," replied the man. "I've been some years in your service, and you're a gentleman as will always have everything done as it should be." "Of course." "And you never found fault with me yet. And I _will_ say that a better mas--" "No, you will not," said the doctor quickly. "That will do." "Certainly, sir," said the man, looking abashed. "You like the doctor as a master, then?" said Frank, with a twinkle of the eye. "Like him, sir!" cried Sam. "Well, I think you will like your new master quite as well." "I hope so, sir. I'll do my best. Shall I see him soon?" "Of course," said Frank. "There he is. The Hakim, Doctor Morris--the learned surgeon who is going to practise through the Soudan." "Oh-h-h!" cried Sam, with his face lighting up. "I see now, gentlemen." "But remember," said the doctor sternly, "the necessity for silence has begun, so keep your own counsel, which will be keeping ours." "Yes, sir." "Now go and begin putting together the few things you will require on our voyage and journey." "Remembering," said the professor, "that we must take only the simplest necessaries. I shall have to overhaul every man's bag after you have brought it down to the lowest state. There, Sam, I agree to your going fully, for I believe you will not let us repent it." "Thank you, sir. Shall we go soon?" "Within forty-eight hours if it can be managed. Give me my hat and stick. I'll go at once and see if berths are to be had on a P. and O. boat. You two will begin getting absolute necessaries together in the way of your professional needs, not forgetting your instruments and chemicals, Frank. Take all you said. They will be heavy and bulky, but they will pay for taking. As for me, as soon as I have settled about the boat I will get my own few things together and see to the arms. I have a pretty good selection of Arabian weapons. What more we require can be obtained in the Cairene bazaar." CHAPTER FIVE. SHEIKH IBRAHIM. Time works wonders, they say; so does money in able and experienced hands.