"Operate, Sam, operate," said the doctor; and the next minute, comb in one hand, scissors in the other, the man was snipping away, and the doctor's crisp, dark hair fell rapidly over his shoulders and down about him upon the cloth that had been spread. Sam's cutting was clever enough, and a pretty good transformation was produced even with the scissors, while, when the razor had done its part, and the finishing touches had been given, the doctor passed his hands over his head and then drew them over his long beard. "Like a looking-glass?" said the professor drily. "No, thanks. I know my features pretty well," was the reply. "I shall not forget them." "But don't you want to see the Hakim?" "No," said the doctor quietly. "How many years older do I look, Frank?" he added quickly. "Twenty," was the prompt reply. "Quite," said the professor. "The clothes the Sheikh sent in, Sam," said the doctor, after giving a nod of satisfaction. "Now then, let me finish the work, so that you may see whether it will pass muster." "I'll keep you company," said the professor, and he followed his friend into the further tent, leaving Frank walking thoughtfully up and down, passing and repassing the doorway, till his attention was caught by the tall, stately figure of the Sheikh who was coming across from his own place. Frank hesitated a moment or two, and then he drew himself up and stood waiting with folded arms till the Sheikh reached the entrance, and said quietly-- "May I enter, O Excellency?" "Yes, come in," cried the doctor from the inner tent, and the old Arab bent a little as he came in, and then raised himself erect as he took a step or two into the half light of the shady place, and stopped short face to face with Frank, at whom for the first few moments he stood staring without the slightest sign of recognition in his countenance, while the youth resembled an ebony carving more than a living being. "Hah!" said the Sheikh at last. "It is very good, Excellency, very good. It would deceive me. I should not have known. But the dark stain? Will it come off?" Frank shook his head. "Not if you used water?" There was another shake of the head. "It is good--more than good," said the Sheikh. "I have come over to walk with the Hakim to see his sick people. Is he ready to go?" Frank shook his head, and raising a hand slowly pointed to his mouth. "Ah, I forgot that," said the old man, smiling gravely. "It is very good indeed; but can you keep this painful silence?" Frank bowed his head slowly, and pointed to the divan for the Sheikh to take his seat, the young man preserving his erect position of respect the while. "It is soon to begin, Excellency," said the Sheikh smiling, "but you must be Excellency no more till our work is done; only in my heart. What name will you bear?"