t's all
over, Frank. I can't see it now."

"Beg pardon, sir. Letter, sir," said Sam stiffly, and he was as rigid
as a drill sergeant, and his face like wood in its absence of all
expression, as he stared hard over the waiter at his master, whose
fingers trembled and cheeks coloured a little as he took the missive.

"Ahem!" said the doctor uneasily, and Sam, who was about to wheel about
and leave the room, stood fast. "A--er--er--a little experiment,
Samuel," he continued.

"Yes, sir," said the man quietly.

"Er--errum--Samuel," said the doctor; "the fact is, I--er--we--er--we do
not wish this--that you have seen just now--talked about downstairs."

"Suttonly _not_! sir," said the man sharply, though the moment before he
had been chuckling to himself about how he would make cook laugh about
the games being carried on in the study.

"Thank you, Samuel," said the doctor, clearing his throat and gaining
confidence as he went on. "The fact is, Samuel, a confidential servant
ought to be trustworthy."

"Suttonly, sir," said Sam.

"And hear, see, and--"

"Say nothing, sir, of course. You may depend upon me, sir."

"Thank you, Samuel. Well, after what you heard last night you will not
be surprised that we have decided to go out to Egypt at once in search
of Mr Harry Frere."

"Not a bit, sir. Just what I should expect."

"Exactly, Samuel. To go up the country means, you see, the necessity of
dressing ourselves like the people out there."

"Yes, sir; much better for the climate."

"And that is why we were, so to speak, going through a little practice."

"Suttonly, sir. Quite right. And about luggage, sir. What shall I get
ready?"

"Ah! That requires a little consideration, Samuel. I'll go into that
with you by and by."

"Very good, sir. But I should like to ask one question."

"Certainly, Samuel," said the doctor gravely; "what is it?"

"Only this, sir. When do we start?"

"When do we start?" said the doctor, staring. "My good man, I did not
propose to take you."

"Not take me, sir?" cried the butler, staring. "Why, whatever do you
think you could do without me?"

The doctor stared blankly at his man, and then turned to the professor.

"Ah! No hesitation, Morris," said the latter sharply. "I haven't quite
come round yet regarding both of you, though matters have altered me a
good deal during the last five minutes; but with regard to this last
phase--the idea of taking your servant--