o was in great pain said a few hasty words. The belt has
really fretted and chafed me. I am ready to trust in your sincerity;
will you not trust in mine?"

Yussuf's countenance lit up, and he caught Mr Burne's hand in his, and
raised it to his lips hastily, after which he opened his loose robe and
carefully buckled the money-belt within his inner garment.

"That's the way," cried Mr Burne cheerily; and he looked happier and
more relieved himself; "and look here, Yussuf, I'm a curious suspicious
sort of fellow, who has had dealings with strange people all his life.
I believe in you, I do indeed, and whenever you find me saying
unpleasant things, you'll know my back's bad, and that I don't mean it.
And now, for goodness' sake, let's get to some civilised place where we
can have a cup of coffee and a glass of wine. Preston, old fellow, I'd
give a sovereign now for a good well-cooked mutton-chop--I mean four
sovereigns for four--one a-piece. I'm not a greedy man."

Lawrence went forward to Yussuf's side, and these two led the way, along
by the purple sea, which was now flashing in the morning sun, and the
delicious air made the travellers feel inspirited, and ready to forget
all discomforts as they tramped on in search of a village, while, before
they had gone far, Mr Burne turned his dry face to the professor and
said:

"Well, did that do?"

"My dear Burne," cried the professor, "I am just beginning to know you.
It was admirable."

"Humph!" ejaculated the old lawyer, who then blew a sounding blast upon
his nose. "I am beginning to think that a neater form of apology to a
man--a foreign heretic sort of a man--was never offered."

"It could not have been better. What do you think, Lawrence?" he added
as the latter halted to let his elders catch up, Yussuf going on alone.

"I don't know what you were talking about," he replied.

"Mr Burne's apology. I say it was magnificent."

"So do I," exclaimed Lawrence. "Capital."

"Humph! Think so? Well, I suppose it was all right," said Mr Burne.
"But I say," he whispered, gazing after Yussuf who was striding away
fifty yards ahead and leaving them behind, "do you really think that
money will be all right?"

"I say, Mr Burne," cried Lawrence laughing; "is your back beginning to
ache already?"

The old lawyer stopped short, and turned upon the lad with a comical
look, half mirth, half anger in his countenance.

"You impudent young dog," he cried. "I knew you w