of silver; the steel bit, too, had cheek
pieces of the more precious metal, while to hang from beneath the neck
of the steed that was to wear it, there was a large glistening ball of
silver, from which streamed a great tuft of scarlet horsehair.

The maker asked many piastres for his work, but it was well worth the
price, and his face shone with pleasure as Ibrahim stood solemnly, bag
in hand, to count them out; and then the black cleared away his
stock-in-trade and went off rejoicing.

"So far so good, Frank, my boy," said the professor; "but how do you
mean to get the present delivered?"

"By sheer daring," said Frank quietly, "and this very day if the young
Emir will only let me be at rest."

"And how then?" asked the Hakim anxiously.

"The simplest way possible. I shall order through the guard the horse I
ride to be brought round, and Ibrahim will saddle one of his camels to
bear the bridle. Then I shall ride straight to the chief's place,
Ibrahim will interpret my signs, and I shall give the present myself.
After that I shall ask to be allowed to harness the Emir's favourite
horse with my present. He is sure to consent, and it will go hard if I
do not contrive to slip something into poor Harry's hand or a few words
into his ear."

"Yes," said the doctor, with energy; "and the simplicity of the business
ought to ensure its success."

"I begin to think it will," said the professor, "if some of our Emir's
people do not stop you as you are going out."

"I do not think they will," said Frank quietly; "and I have a feeling of
confidence upon me which makes me ready to say I shall succeed."

The professor said nothing, but he looked very grave and glanced at
Ibrahim, whose countenance was solemn in the extreme, while the Hakim
seemed plunged in thought.

But they had to think of other things soon after, for there had been a
fierce encounter at daybreak that morning, some miles from the city, for
what reason the party did not know; but its results were the bringing of
about a dozen wounded men on horse, donkey, and camel, to be carried
into the tent-like booth in the grounds, where of late the Hakim had
attended to his patients, and he and his assistants were as hard at work
as they could be for hours.

"You have thought no more about that plan of yours," said the professor
anxiously, as the last wounded man was carried out after he had shown
his thankfulness by kissing the Hakim's hand.

"On the contrar