“That’s what Tawwab implied,” Danbazzar admitted. “They must have come from the Farshût road, and now they’re heading our way. He professed to be much concerned about our safety, pointing out that at this season our camp was a very lonely one. It’s true enough that, after leaving Kurna, except for a few scattered houses we’re pretty well isolated.” “But what do you think he was driving at?” said Barry. “These Arabs are surely peaceable enough?” “As a rule they are,” was the reply, “but a wave of fanaticism will sometimes pass through a tribe, or a section of a tribe, and then they go Mad Hatter. However, I certainly know why Tawwab kept coming back to it.” “Why?” “To drive the price up! He was good enough to mention that his relations with the sheik who seems to be at the head of this mysterious movement have always been of a most cordial character.” “The devil take it!” Barry muttered. “Why can’t he mind his own business!” “Well,” Danbazzar smiled, “departmentally speaking, this _is_ his business! If he handled it properly we should find ourselves under arrest to-morrow! No!”--he shrugged his broad shoulders--“Mr. Tawwab holds the cards. We’ll play as long as we can play, after which we must _pay_.” A beam of light shining out across the bottom of the _wâdi_ and the unmistakable rattle of poker chips signified that John Cumberland and the Professor were still at their game. The appearance of Danbazzar, however, broke it up, and, eagerly listened to by the party, he gave a detailed account of his visit to Luxor. “I can’t imagine any reason for the Arabs coming in this direction,” said John Cumberland, when Mr. Tawwab’s warning had been repeated to the party. “There can be only one reason,” Danbazzar returned gravely. “What is it?” “This camp!” He tensed his lips in a grim manner, reaching across for the bottle of Martell Three Stars, his favourite beverage in moments of reflection. “Of course,” Professor Blackwell broke in, “they may assume that we have large sums of money in our possession.” “They would assume rightly!” Barry remarked. “Can you count on the men, Danbazzar?” “On the excavators?” the latter inquired, pouring out a drink and turning his eyes toward the speaker. “On every man of them.” “We haven’t arms enough to go round,” John Cumberland murmured. “Oh! it’s unthinkable, anyway.” “All the same,” said Barry, “I suggest we mount guard in future--here as well as at the tomb. And as it’s too late to make any other arrangements to-night, I think we ought to take watches ourselves. What do you say, Dad?” “I agree,” John Cumberland replied quietly. His face was very grave. “This is something I had not counted upon.” Professor Blackwell raised his gaunt form, ducking his head to avoid contact with the sloping roof of the tent. “I appoint myself first guard,” he announced. “I’ll take the Lee-Enfield.” “As you like,” said Danbazzar.