"Ah!" cried the professor, as excited as the speaker, for Frank's manner
carried conviction. "What is it?"

"A present to the young Emir's friend for saving our lives."

"But how's that going to bring you into contact with poor Harry?"

"Like this," whispered Frank eagerly. "He is proud of his horses and
camels--this chief. I will give him the finest and most costly bit and
bridle Ibrahim can buy in the bazaar."

"But are such things to be bought in the city?"

"Oh, _yes_, plenty of them. Fine red or brown morocco, ornamented with
silver or gold. You could get such a one, Ibrahim?"

"Oh, yes, Excellency, or a saddle either."

"Yes," said the professor, after a few moments' thought. "Such a
present would appeal to a man like that. Yes, Frank, I like that idea.
You could stop and watch while the bridle was put on. Ibrahim must see
about the gift at once."

"Yes, Excellencies," said the old man; "the words are good. To-morrow,
then, I shall bring plenty for them to choose. But will not your
Excellencies see now what the great Emir has brought?"

"No--yes," said the Hakim. "We must not slight his gifts. Open them
out."

Sam was summoned, and costly rugs, pieces of richly woven stuffs, the
finest cotton haiks and burnooses, were spread out before the friends,
and they noticed that their Emir's gift was far more costly than his
friend's. But one and all had another present in their vision, one that
seemed to stand out real before Frank Frere all the time--a rich,
well-stitched, red morocco head-stall and reins, ornamented with thick
bosses and buckles of gold, and fitted with a silver bit; and that night
when he slept the present was the main feature of one long-continued
dream.

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.

FRANK'S VENTURE.

As Ibrahim had said, the task was easy, for the next morning, before the
Hakim had commenced with his sick and wounded, one of the Soudanese
harness-makers was at the palace gate with his men and a great white
donkey heavily laden with admirable specimens of leather work, barbaric
in style, but for the most part such as would have delighted anyone of
artistic taste.

The various objects were brought in and spread before the Hakim; but
Frank was disappointed, for there was no such bridle as he had designed
in his mind's eye--nothing so costly; and not one head-stall that was
ornamented with gold. But in the end one was bought profusely decorated
with heavy buckles and bosses