that they
have, Robert my son."

"Yes, Fred, old fellow, I suppose it is, for it means quick recovery. I
always like to have to do with a patient who looks relieved as soon as I
come into the room. He little knows how he is helping me towards his
cure."

"Poor fellow! he doesn't think, then, of what is to come?"

"His sufferings?" said the doctor. "No, only about how I may be able to
relieve them."

"Didn't mean that, old fellow," said the professor. "I meant his mental
sufferings over the fees; eh, Frank?"

"Don't try to joke, Fred," said the doctor; "this place makes me feel
solemn--the gentle calm of the oasis, the trickling of the water in this
thirsty land, and the simple, patriarchal life of the people."

"Ha, ha!" laughed the professor softly; "hear this Frank?"

"Hear what?" said the young man, in a tone or voice which suggested that
the calm of the desert was influencing him too.

"Bob Morris talking as if it wouldn't take much to make him give up
civilisation and take to a nomad life."

"Well," said the doctor quietly, "I confess that already I feel
something of its fascination, and I am glad we have come. All this is
growing irresistibly attractive."

"And when I've been at home and have vaunted the beauty of the old,
simple, patriarchal life, and told of how I enjoyed it during my
Egyptian explorations, you laughed at me, and as good as called me a
lunatic. What do you say to that?"

"That I spoke in ignorance, old fellow," said the doctor quietly. "Of
course I should not like to give up our civilisation, but for a time
this has a great charm. I feel, too, that we have done very wisely in
following out Frank's plan."

"Thank you," said the young man eagerly.

"I shall get on famously with these simple people, who will all prove
excellent patients, and the result will be that we shall get in touch
with poor old Harry, and bring him safely away."

"Yes, we're going to do it, Frank, my lad. It looks easier to me every
hour."

No more was said for a time, for they all felt the fatigue consequent
upon their exertions of the past night, and that it was very delicious
to lounge there in the soft sand, watching the fall of evening with the
paling glories of the most wonderful sunset two of the party had ever
beheld. And this was made the more agreeable by the respect with which
they were treated, their part of the encampment being kept, as it were,
sacred, and everything sordid hidden f