he more he thought the more convinced he felt that he was not
misjudging these people. His memory brought up things that the old
Sheikh had said about the jealousy the great Hakim had excited, and
naturally enough; but what was to be done?

The first thing, he felt, must be to warn the doctor. But how? He
could not speak till they were alone. Even if he attempted to whisper
to the professor, who was close at hand, it would be observed, for he
would betray himself as an impostor, and in betraying himself he would
raise suspicion against his companions.

Those were painful moments, and he shivered and longed for the scene to
come to an end, for his utter helplessness seemed to overwhelm him, and
he felt ready to ask why he had placed himself in so terrible a
position.

Then he uttered a faint sigh of relief, for the professor reverently
approached his friend and whispered a question, to which the Hakim, who
stood over his patient, watch in one hand, the fingers of the other
holding the insensible man's wrist, carefully counting the pulsations,
replied by a grave bend of the head.

The professor drew back and whispered to his fellow-assistant to prepare
to go, while for his own part he took the bottle, water, and glasses to
the Hakim, and once more stood waiting, while Frank carefully folded up
lint and bandage, and replaced the instruments in their cases.

But the Hakim did not stir, and in the midst of the impressive silence
he stood there bare-headed with the light of the lamps above falling
upon the deep lines in his broad, white forehead and knit brows,
carefully marking the pulsations, the three Mullahs still standing with
folded arms, as motionless as statues, and their eyes nearly closed; but
there was a keen flash now and then through the lids as they kept an
eager watch upon everything that was going on.

At last the Hakim softly lowered the wounded chiefs hand and replaced
his watch, turning slightly to the professor, who took a step towards
him and held out bottle and glass, when a few drops from the former were
carefully measured out, a little water from the filter added, and then
the clear limpid medicament was slowly and carefully trickled between
the sufferer's lips till all had passed.

At that moment there was a faint rustling behind a great curtain which
draped an opening in the darkest part of the sombre room, and directly
after a small, dark hand appeared and was waved to and fro.

Frank,