The Captain looked rather foolish. "Well," he said, "well--oh!--we'd be guided by circumstances then, of course. We might induce him to confess--don't you think?" I could not help laughing. "If you want to know what I think," I said, "it is, that you are in the position of a man who knows what he wants but does not in the least understand how to get it. Still count on my help. If we can lay the Arab by the heels we shall not harm anyone deserving of consideration, and we will put Miss Ottley's mind at rest, at all events; I hate to think that she is worried by the rascal. What do you propose?" "I thought of hiding by the temple to-night. I passed it late last evening, and though Sir Robert was ostensibly alone, I could swear I heard voices. What do you say?" "Certainly." "Shake," said the Captain. We shook. "Now let's go to lunch," said he. We went. "That's Belleville's shanty," observed the Captain, pointing to a neighbouring tent. "I don't like the fellow, do you?" "I don't know him." "He's a spook-hunter like Sir Robert." "Ah!" "The beggar is in love with Miss Ottley." "Oh!" "He had the impudence to tell her to her face one day that she would never marry me. He declared that it was written--by spooks, I suppose. One of these days I'll have to break his head for him. But he is not a man you can easily quarrel with. You simply can't insult him. He comes up smiling every time." "An unpleasant person." "A bounder," said the Captain with intense conviction. "Lord, how hot it is!" We entered the eating tent as he spoke. The table was already laid. Dr. Belleville stood near the head of it talking to Miss Ottley. A couple of Soudanese flitted about affecting to be busy, but effecting very little. At sight of me both shuddered back against the canvas and stood transfixed. One held a spoon, the other a plate. They looked extremely absurd. I told them in Arabic that only the dishonest had occasion to fear the evil eye, and took a seat. Instantly both rushed to serve me. My companions, not possessing the evil eye, were forced to wait. Miss Ottley became satirical, but I was hungry and her shafts glanced off the armour of my appetite. When I had finished my first helping of currie she sat down. "There's no use waiting for father," she sighed. "I shall take his lunch to him by-and-by." Dr. Belleville echoed the sigh. "My dear young lady," said he, "permit me now," and he vanished a minute later carrying a tray. "You see," said the Captain, sotto voce, to me.