ecting
him in a quarter of an hour. Come and tell me the result, when you
leave."

Ten minutes later, a tall man, whom Gregory recognized at once as Sir
Herbert Kitchener, whose figure was well known in Cairo, passed through
the room; all who were sitting there rising to their feet, as he did
so. He acknowledged the salute mechanically, as if scarcely conscious
of it. An hour later a bell was rung, and an attendant went into the
room. He returned directly.

"Mr. Hilliard," he said.

Gregory rose, and passed through the door held open. Kitchener was
sitting at the table with Lord Cromer. His keen glance seemed, to
Gregory, to take him in from head to foot, and then to look at
something far beyond him.

"This is Mr. Hilliard," Lord Cromer said, "the young gentleman I have
spoken of."

"You want to go up?" the general said shortly, in Arabic.

"Yes, sir."

"You do not mind in what capacity you go?"

"No, sir; I am ready to do anything."

"To work on the railway, or in the transport?"

"Yes, sir. Though I would rather not be on the railway, for the railway
cannot get on as fast as the troops; but I would enlist in one of the
English regiments, if they would take me."

"And you speak the language of the Nubian blacks?"

The question was put in that language.

"Yes; I do not think I speak it quite as well as Arabic, but I speak it
fairly."

"Do you think that you could stand the fatigue?--no child's play, you
know."

"I can only say that I hope I can, sir. I have been accustomed to take
long walks, and spend an hour a day in gymnastic exercises, and I have
had lessons in fencing."

"Can you use a pistol?"

"Yes, fairly; I have practised a good deal with it."

"You are most fitted for an interpreter," the general said, speaking
this time in English. "Now the North Staffordshire have come down,
there are no British regiments up there, and of course the British
officers in the Egyptian army all speak Arabic, to some extent.
However, I will send you up to Dongola. Either General Hunter, or
Colonel Wingate, of the Intelligence Department, may be able to find
some use for you; and when the British troops go up, you can be
attached to one of their regiments as their interpreter. You will have
temporary rank of lieutenant, with, of course, the pay of that rank.

"Captain Ewart came with me, Lord Cromer. I left him in the anteroom.
If you will allow me, I will call him in.

"Captain Ewart," he said, as tha