or, with a sad smile; "but not
when the bullet, sword, or spear has done too much. The Emir's friend
is very bad, and if we had left to-night and these native doctors had
stayed, he would never have seen the light of another day; for his life
hangs upon a thread that I am going to watch and strengthen lest it
should break."

"Your Excellency is wiser in my eyes everyday I live," said the old man
softly. "Yes, he is right; if you had left here to-night the chief
would have died."

"What do you mean, Ibrahim?" whispered the professor.

"Your Excellency knows," replied the old man quietly. "For one thing,
they would not have the wisdom to do what is right. For another thing,
Excellency, they are jealous with the jealousy of ignorant,
superstitious believers in false doctrines."

The professor looked at the Sheikh searchingly.

"I thought I knew you thoroughly, Ibrahim," he said at last; "but I find
you are a wiser man than I thought."

"No, Excellency," said the old man sadly; "I have only tried to be wise;
and in a long life mixing a great deal with the people from the West I
have learned far more than my people could ever know; but what is it?"
he said, holding out his hollowed hand as if it contained something.
"So little; and there is so much to know."

"Yes," said the doctor slowly, "so much to know, Ibrahim, and life seems
so short. I would give even some of that for the greater power of
healing that would enable me to say, This man will live."

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.

A SCIENTIFIC MARVEL.

The day broke at last, after a long and watchful night of silence,
during which the Hakim had never left his patient's side, but he had
insisted upon his companions taking watch and watch.

The patient had not stirred, but lain as motionless as if already dead,
apparently free from all suffering, and displaying symptoms which made
the lines grow deeper in the doctor's brow.

Twice over during the night a slight rustling of a curtain had startled
the watchers, and thoughts of treachery had arisen; but in each case the
rustling was succeeded by a weary sigh, and there was silence once more.

The daylight which turned the lamp-rays pale was stealing in at the
narrow window, when there was a louder rustle of the curtain, and the
Emir entered, to find the Hakim bending over his friend, with Frank
kneeling a short distance away.

The chief glanced round for the interpreter, and then went to the door
leading int