"It was a great, a noble cure, O Hakim," he said. "That wound was dangerous, was it not?" "He would have been delirious by this time to-morrow, Ibrahim," said the doctor. "Delirious?" said the Sheikh, hesitating. "Oh, yes, I know--mad." "And blood-poisoning would have set in. Without attention he would have been a dead man before a week had passed." "But now, O Hakim--now?" "With care and attention to his wound he will soon recover." "Hah! It is good. His people would have slain us if he had fallen." "But what about now, Ibrahim?" said the professor. "He said it was peace, but will he keep his word and let us go?" "Hah!" said the Sheikh quietly; "I think not yet. If their Excellencies look around without seeming to notice they will see that men have been placed in five places at a distance like sentries of the Khedival guard." "To keep a look out for the approach of enemies," said Frank quickly. "Well, it is soldierly." "It might be to keep us from stealing away," said the Sheikh drily. "Yes, of course," said the professor. "But look here, Ibrahim, who are these likely to be?" "One of the wandering bands of the desert, Excellency, who rob and murder all they come across." "Pleasant neighbours!" said the doctor quietly. "But are they likely to be connected with the Khalifa--the Mahdi, or any of that party?" said the professor. "I think so, Excellency," replied the Sheikh. "These people travel far and wide. Perhaps this is one of the Khalifa's chiefs." "Well, then--listen, all of you," said the professor. "If these sentries are to keep us in bounds we are prisoners, Ibrahim?" "Yes, Excellency." "And we shall have to go where they go, for they will never stay here." "It is right, Excellencies." "And you think it possible that this may be one of the new Mahdi's wandering bands?" "Yes, Excellency; sent forth to see if the English and Egyptian forces are advancing, as well as to gather plunder." "Then by and by they will rejoin their leader far away yonder at Omdurman or Khartoum?" "It is most likely, Excellency." "Then so long as they treat us decently it seems to me that nothing could have happened better," continued the professor; "they will lead us exactly where we want to go, and see that no other party takes a fancy to our heads." "That is exactly what I thought, Excellency," said the Sheikh; "but I was afraid to speak." "Why?" said the doctor sharply. The old man shrugged his shoulders. "Their Excellencies took me to be their guide, and placed themselves in my hands. They said, `We have faith in you and your young men, who will protect us.'" "Yes," said the doctor. "Go on." "Well, Excellency, I have failed." "How failed?" said the professor sharply. "I have brought you into danger--into the hands of the enemy at once." "Then you feel that we are prisoners?" said the doctor sternly.