had never learned the use of the
pocket-handkerchief."

"I do not suppose many of them have arrived at your pitch of
accomplishment," said the professor, laughing, as they rode on along the
faint track in and out of the loveliest valleys, where nature was
constantly tempting them to stop and gaze at some fresh beauty. But
there was every prospect of darkness overtaking them before they reached
the little mountain village where they were to rest for the night; and
as the time went on the beauties of nature were forgotten in the
all-powerful desire to overtake the driver with the two baggage-horses,
laden with that which was extremely precious to so many hungry
travellers, and at every turn their eyes were strained in front to look
upon the welcome sight.

"Not so much as a tail," muttered Mr Burne. "I say," he said aloud,
"what's become of that baggage?"

Yussuf was understood to say that the man must have made haste, and that
they would find him at the village.

But if that was what the Muslim had said, he was wrong. For when in the
darkness, after what had become quite a dangerous finish to their
journey along the edge of a shelf of rock, where, far below, the rushing
and gurgling of a torrent could be heard, they reached the cluster of
houses and the miserable khan, one thing was evident, and that was that
the baggage had not arrived.

"What is to be done, Yussuf?" said the professor. "Must we go back and
search for it?"

"We could do nothing in the dark, effendi," was the reply. "The path is
safe enough in daylight; by night the risk is too great."

"But he may come yet," exclaimed Mr Burne.

Yussuf only shook his head, and said that they must wait.

But he did not waste time, for he sought out the head-man of the village
to ask for a resting-place for his employers, with a supply of the best
food the village could afford, and barley for the horses.

The man surlily replied that they had not enough food for themselves,
and that the barley had all gone to pay the taxes. They must go
somewhere else.

It was now that the weary and hungry travellers found out the value of
Yussuf.

For he came to the professor, as they sat together on their tired
horses, and held out his hand.

"Give me the firman, excellency," he said. "These miserable people have
been robbed and plundered by travellers who ask their hospitality, till
they are suspicious of all strangers. Let me show the head-man the
sultan's c