ndertake the business and to wander about
with you for as many months as you may choose, and to assist you in
getting off your brother if you find him, if he thinks that you can
disguise yourself well enough to pass as a native, but of that he is to
be the judge. He won't take you at any price unless you satisfy him in
that respect."

"I think I can do that, major," Rupert said. "I will go back to my tent
and dress now. I took in my two friends of the Guards, and I think I can
pass inspection even by a native." In half an hour Rupert returned in
his native get-up, carrying as usual a spear and a sword and two or
three knives stuck into his girdle. Major Kitchener was inside his tent,
and Rupert squatted down outside and awaited his coming out. When the
major issued from his tent his eye fell upon him.

"Hullo!" he said in Arabic, "what do you want? Where do you come from?"

"I am my lord's servant," Rupert replied in the same language.

"Yes, that is all very well, but I suppose you want some thing."

"I am ready to go for my lord to Khartoum, and to bring him news."

Major Kitchener shook his head. "I don't want to send anyone up at
present," he said; "we know all about it."

"Then you think I shall do, major?" Rupert said in English.

"Bless me!" the officer exclaimed; "is it you, Clinton? I did not
suspect you for a moment. You will do, lad, you will do. The sheik
himself won't know you to be white with that wonderful head of hair of
yours. It is a splendid imitation. One would think you had scalped one
of these natives and put his hair on. Come along with me. You will see
how we shall take in the sheik."

He went across to a small group of camels by the side of which a sheik
and two natives were seated talking and gesticulating violently. The
sheik rose to his feet as they came up and began to talk volubly; he
was evidently in a rage with his followers, for he pointed to them with
open hand and was complaining of their conduct. Presently they began to
interject angry denials, and then sprang to their feet and excitedly
poured out their view of the question. Rupert could not catch a word,
and had no idea of the subject of the dispute, although he saw that
Major Kitchener was listening with some amusement. The combat rose
higher and higher. At last, with a sudden gesture, the sheik, who had
looked furtively at this disguised stranger several times, seized the
two men by the arm and whirled them round until th