nce-gate a dozen mounted men were
placed to keep back the crowd, among whom were already several
applicants for help from the Hakim. But these were driven away at once,
for the doctor's attention was required for the Emir's son.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

FREEDOM OF ACTION?

The doctor's patient needed his help badly, for the exertion of the
journey and triumphant entry had taxed his strength too much, and once
more he was fully under the Hakim's charge, and was carried by his
orders to the quarters assigned to the party and their following, on one
side of the low, rambling place, and quite distinct.

It was while the doctor was busily tending the sufferer in the shady
room looking out on the greenery of the court, that the Emir himself,
freshly dismounted after seeing to the bestowal of the trophies of the
incursion, came in, to stand gravely aside, _waiting_ patiently till the
Hakim, satisfied that he could do no more, left the coarse divan upon
which the patient lay, and signed to the father that he might approach.

The doctor and his assistants drew back with the Sheikh, who stayed in
the rough chamber to act as interpreter, the professor's Arabic being
only an unsatisfactory mode of conversation, and all save the Hakim
looked away.

But there was no need for the latter's watchfulness, the Emir seeming to
have a perfect knowledge of what was necessary, and full confidence in
the great man's power. Hence it was that he contented himself with
going down on one knee by his son's side and laying a hand upon the
insensible man's brow for a few minutes before rising, and turning to
the Sheikh--

"Ask the Hakim if he will live," he said stoically.

The answer was given directly. "Yes, but the recovery has been thrown
back."

The Emir uttered a low, deep sigh, and bowed his head. Then turning to
the Hakim he took a great, clumsy-looking ring from one finger, and,
bending low, he offered it to his prisoner.

To his surprise it was declined, but in a grave and smiling way,
accompanied too with gestures which seemed to say, "I need no payment; I
am beyond such trifles as these."

The effect was striking, for the Emir stood for a few moments gazing at
his captive with something like awe. Then, catching at the Hakim's
hand, he pressed it for a moment against his forehead, and strode out of
the room.

"Humph!" ejaculated the professor, as soon as they were alone. "I
almost wish you had taken that ring, old f