d," he said, "and he has not lost much blood. A very serious
wound, and the bullet without doubt there. Quite beyond my reach. No:
it has not passed through. I dare probe no more to-night. I must wait
for the daylight, and give him some hours to recover a little from the
shock."

Meanwhile the Emir was anxiously watching the Hakim's actions, and when
at last he saw him plug the wound with medicated lint, and then take the
bandage offered by Frank, he drew a sigh of relief, grasping the fact
that the Hakim would not bind up the injury of one who had passed away.

The Hakim then raised his head a little and turned to the Sheikh.

"Tell the Emir," he said, "that his friend has received a very dangerous
wound, but that I hope he will live."

These words were translated to the chief, but in his interpretation the
old Arab omitted the hopeful clause, and said definitely that the
wounded man would recover.

In an instant one of the Mullahs said scornfully--

"The infidel Frank lies unto you, Emir. Thy friend is wounded unto
death. See, even now he dies."

"The great Hakim never lies," said the Sheikh proudly. "The Emir will
wait and see that the Hakim's words are true."

"Yes," said the Emir sternly. "We will wait."

Frank was standing back with his head humbly now in the shadow, holding
some of the Hakim's paraphernalia, but with watchful eyes fixed upon the
three Mullahs, and as the Emir spoke he noticed a quick, meaning glance
pass from one to the other which struck him as full of malice and
cunning. A thought instantly shot through him which chilled him for a
moment. That look meant evil, he was sure. Something malevolent
against the Frankish doctor who dared to intrude upon the ignorance and
superstition of a trio of Mahometan priests. What would they do?

Frank's thoughts came like flashes of mental light, and in an instant he
felt that they dared not interfere with the Hakim who was so strongly in
favour with the great Emir, but in an underhanded way they might bring
all he had done to naught and contrive that the wounded, helpless man's
last chance of life should fail.

The idea was horrible, but he knew for certain that in their vile
bigotry the followers of Mahomet would stop at nothing in their efforts
to destroy the so-called infidel, and with his pulses beginning to beat
fast in his excitement he planned how he could counteract any of the
machinations these people might set going.

For t