every risk, say so at once, for you will be doing
your master a good turn as well as us."

"Are you gentlemen going to chance it all?" said Sam quietly.

"Certainly."

"All right, gentlemen, then so am I, and as soon as ever you like."

"Hah!" ejaculated Frank, who had been watching the play of the man's
countenance anxiously, and he crossed to Sam and shook his hand, making
the butler's face glow with pride and pleasure combined.

"Now then," said the professor, "one more word, Sam. It is of vital
importance that you keep all this a profound secret. From this hour you
know nothing except that you are the Hakim's servant till we have left
Cairo. After that you are the Hakim's slave, and you hold him in awe."

"Of course, sir," said Sam, with his face wrinkling with perplexity.
"I'll hold him in anything you like. I won't say a word to a soul. I
won't know anything, and I hope Mr Hakim will be as satisfied with me
as master has always been."

"And you think I have always been satisfied with you, Samuel?" said the
doctor, smiling pleasantly.

"I think so, sir," replied the man. "I've been some years in your
service, and you're a gentleman as will always have everything done as
it should be."

"Of course."

"And you never found fault with me yet. And I _will_ say that a better
mas--"

"No, you will not," said the doctor quickly. "That will do."

"Certainly, sir," said the man, looking abashed.

"You like the doctor as a master, then?" said Frank, with a twinkle of
the eye.

"Like him, sir!" cried Sam.

"Well, I think you will like your new master quite as well."

"I hope so, sir. I'll do my best. Shall I see him soon?"

"Of course," said Frank. "There he is. The Hakim, Doctor Morris--the
learned surgeon who is going to practise through the Soudan."

"Oh-h-h!" cried Sam, with his face lighting up. "I see now, gentlemen."

"But remember," said the doctor sternly, "the necessity for silence has
begun, so keep your own counsel, which will be keeping ours."

"Yes, sir."

"Now go and begin putting together the few things you will require on
our voyage and journey."

"Remembering," said the professor, "that we must take only the simplest
necessaries. I shall have to overhaul every man's bag after you have
brought it down to the lowest state. There, Sam, I agree to your going
fully, for I believe you will not let us repent it."

"Thank you, sir. Shall we go soon?"

"Within forty-eight