nd
smiling as much as to say, "Well done! you ride like a Baggara."

Frank was himself again, and as soon as he could rein back a little, for
his comrade had come between him and the vision, he looked wildly once
more at the spot where he had seen, or believed he had seen, his
brother; but the camel had been led away, and its attendant was no
longer there.

Was it imagination, or was it not? He felt sick with emotion, and he
could hardly restrain himself from leaping off his horse to go in search
of leader and camel that he might speak and learn the truth at once; but
at that moment the young Emir grasped him by the arm, their horses
sidled up together, and he was no longer his own master, yielding at
once to the touch and being led away out of the open court, while when
he wrenched himself round in the saddle to get one wildly eager look
back his view was cut off by a party of some thirty horsemen whose
spears glittered in the late afternoon sun as they followed close
behind. For the young Emir had been furnished with a bodyguard by his
friend, and though Frank turned again and again there was not another
chance.

They rode on for a few hundred yards with the young Emir talking loudly
and volubly, his theme evidently being their adventures, and quite
content with a nod from time to time. For he was in high glee at his
success, and the looks, smiles, and pats on the shoulder he gave to his
companion from time to time plainly told he was proud of his gallantry
that day.

Then in an instant all was excitement again, for at a turn they came
once more in sight of a party of the dervishes, evidently those they had
met before, and all ready to encounter them with scowling looks.

It showed the necessity for the escort, and the young Emir laughed, for
no attempt to hinder them was made; but the party followed slowly as if
to see where they went, and when at last the escort was dismissed and
the two young men rode through the gates, received by their own guards,
the dervishes were still in sight; but they at once turned and rode
away, for the escort was advancing upon them and seemed as if it drove
them back the way they came.

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.

SO NEAR--SO FAR.

"Frank, my dear boy!" cried the Hakim, when, alone with his friends, the
young man made his announcement.

He could say no more, but sat holding Frank's hand, his lip trembling,
and moved as neither of them had seen him before. For in all thing