ming: "And what next? Who
is to tell them the news?"

"You," replied Gibbus, raising his hands in entreaty.

"I-oh, of course, I!" growled the physician. "Whatever is difficult,
painful, intolerable, falls on my shoulders as a matter of course! But I
cannot--ought not--I will not do it. Had I any part or lot in devising
this mad expedition? You observe, Father?--What he, the simpleton,
brewed, I--I again am to drink. Fate has settled that!"

"It is hard, it is hard, child!" replied the old man. "Still, it is your
duty. Only consider--if that man, as he stands before us now, were to
appear before the women. . . ."

But Philippus broke in: "No, no, that would not do! And you, Gibbus--this
very day there has been an Arab again to see Joanna; and if they were to
suspect that you had been with your master--for you look strangely.--No,
man; your devotion merits a better reward. They shall not catch you. I
release you from your service to the widow, and we--what do you say,
Father?--we will keep him here."

"Right, very right," said Horapollo. "The Nile must some day rise again.
Stay with us; I have long had a fancy to eat vegetables of my own
growing."

But Gibbus firmly declined the offer, saying he wished to return to his
old mistress. When the physician again pointed out to him how great a
danger he was running into, and the old man desired to know his reasons,
the hunch-back exclaimed:

"I promised my master to stay with the women; and now, while in all the
household I am the only free man, shall I leave them unprotected to
secure my own miserable life? Sooner would I see a scimitar at my throat.
When my head is off the rascals are welcome to all that is left."

The words came hollow and broken from his parched tongue, and as he spoke
the faithful fellow's face changed. Even under the dust he turned pale,
and Philippus had to support him, for his feet refused their office. His
long tramp through the torrid heat had exhausted his strength; but a
draught of wine soon brought him to himself again and Horapollo ordered
the slave to lead him to the kitchen and desire the cook to take the best
care of him.

As soon as the friends were alone, the elder observed:

"That worthy, foolhardy, old child who is now dead, seems to have left
you some strange request. I could see that as you were reading."

"There--take it!" replied Philippus; and again he walked up and down the
room, while Horapollo took the letter. Both fac