scraped off with long sweeps the white, soapy foam, which
came away darkened with tiny swathes of blackish-grey stubble.

"I call this a regular big shave. Don't hurt, do I, sir?"

The Arab uttered a grunt which might have meant yes or no.

Sam took it to mean the latter.

"Thought not, sir. That's fine shaving-soap, sir; he--mollient; softens
the stubble and the skin at the same time. My word! this is a prime
razor. Only fancy, Mr Frank, being out here, shaving a native!"

"Will you keep your tongue quiet!" whispered Frank angrily. "This is a
serious matter. Mind what you're doing, and don't talk."

"Don't ask a man to do impossibilities, sir," said the man appealingly;
"did you ever know anyone shaved without the operator talking all the
time? It's natural, sir, and seems to make you shave cleaner. I'm
a-doing the very best I can. I must talk, or I should get nicking his
skin and spoil the job."

"Then for goodness' sake talk," cried Frank petulantly.

"Thankye, sir; now I can get on," and with wonderful celerity Sam
scraped away with light hand till the last line of lather was taken off,
a touch or two here and there given with the brush, and this fresh soap
removed, after which the razor was closed, sponge and water applied, and
a clean towel handed to the Sheikh, who received it with a grave smile
and nod of the head.

"Good," he said softly. "Clever barber. It is good."

"Then you are satisfied?" said the professor eagerly.

"Quite, Excellency. Now I have no fear."

Sam smiled too with satisfaction as he carefully wiped and re-stropped
the razor before placing it in its case. At the same time, though,
there was a peculiar, inquisitive look in his eyes. For the whole
business seemed to be strange, and he looked longingly at Frank as if
hoping that he would follow and explain, when the doctor said--

"That will do, Samuel. Go and have your breakfast."

But Frank did not follow, for he was eager to hear what the Sheikh would
say as soon as they were alone.

Little was said, though, the old Arab being anxious to go and rejoin his
followers staying in the village half a mile outside the town, promising
to be back during the morning to talk over the arrangements for the
venturesome journey.

"Will he come back and hold to the promise?" said Frank to the
professor.

"For certain," was the reply.

"But do you think he will prove business-like and go to work heart and
soul in our servi