--and it
wouldn't take long to do that--it would be fit for nothing but to be
washed away as so much mud, if the Nile would flood as far."

"But surely poor old Harry can't be here!" said the doctor, in a low,
troubled voice.

"Who knows?" said the professor softly, after glancing at Frank's pained
features. "We must see, and--cheer up, everybody--we will, for we shall
have splendid chances. Do you hear, O Chief Surgeon and Special
Physician to the Emir?"

"But look," said the doctor; "I thought the place miserable enough
yesterday evening, while now, though the sun does give it a sort of
golden glaze, the miserable huddle of shabby huts looks ten times worse,
for the light exposes its ruinous state."

"Go on," said the professor. "You can't speak evil enough of it, say
what you will. But I say, both of you--I won't bother you much with my
hobby--what a falling off there is everywhere; what a difference between
the cities of the rule of the past, with their magnificent palaces and
temples, or even the simple, majestic grandeur of the pyramids, and the
buildings of the modern inhabitants! The glory has departed indeed.
Ah, here comes Ibrahim again. Well, Sheikh, how goes the world?"

"I have seen the Emir this morning, Excellencies, and he sends you
greeting. He desires that you ride directly after the mounted men. You
are to occupy a place of honour before the camels laden with the spoil
taken by his warriors."

"As his principal prisoners," said the doctor coldly. "Well, we will
try not to disgrace the man who has treated us as his friends. But what
about his son? Am I to see and treat him before we start?"

"No, Excellency. He will ride in a litter borne by two led camels, and
the Emir asks that you will see his son when you reach the rooms he has
ordered to be ready for you beside his own palace."

"And for my friends as well, Ibrahim?" said the doctor quickly.

"Yes, Excellency; the house is large, and there are gardens and grounds
with ample room for your servants and slaves as well as for your picked
supply of camels. For they are picked, O Hakim. I have been round the
camp this morning and seen the many beasts of burden being loaded ready
for leading to the city. The horses too, and these are splendid beasts.
But the camels! Yours, O Hakim, are well fed, young, and healthy, full
of strength."

"Mine, Ibrahim? Yours."

"No, Excellency; speak of them as yours, for yours they are. Your