y," said Frank, smiling, "I have thought of nothing else,
seen nothing else but that bridle all the morning, and now I feel that I
must have made plenty of mistakes."

"But it will be too late to make arrangements now," said the Hakim
anxiously.

"There are none to make," replied Frank. "Look here: there has been
some serious fighting, of course, and I believe both the Emir and his
son are away, or we should have seen them here."

"It's of no use to argue with you, Frank," cried the professor
pettishly. "You have an answer for everything. I'm sure you will be
stopped."

"Never mind," said Frank. "I am going to try what a bold stroke will
do. If I am turned back I must get leave through our young chief
another day, and chance dropping a word in Harry's ear."

"I have done," said the professor. "Try."

Frank nodded, and signed to the old Sheikh to come to them.

He came, looking extra solemn and quiet.

"You will go to the head guard, Ibrahim, and tell him I want my horse as
soon as it can be brought to the door."

"Yes, Excellency."

"You will then saddle your best camel and spread upon it, so that they
can be seen, this bit and bridle and trappings. If the guard asks where
I am going you can tell him that I am going to take a present to the
young chiefs friend."

"Yes, Excellency. He will be sure to ask."

"Good," said Frank, and the old man went out without another word, while
Frank coolly prepared for his short journey by putting on the rich robe
that had been given to him, and buckling on his sword and knife,
finishing off with a handsome turban of the kind the desert warriors
wore.

"Here is Ibrahim back," said the professor, as he saw the old man
reappear before Frank was ready. "He is coming to say that you cannot
have a horse."

"But he has gone to get his camel ready all the same," said Frank,
smiling, and about a quarter of an hour later the Arab that Frank rode
was led ambling up to the door of their quarters by one of the guard.

The young man turned to give his friends a calm, smiling look of
triumph, as he walked towards the window to glance at his steed. The
next moment his countenance fell. For he had seen the gate from where
he stood, and there, as if ready to accompany him wherever he went
alone, was the chief guard, already mounted, and behind them, ready too
and well-armed, were half a dozen men.

"Ah!" said the doctor, with a sigh. "I feared there would be something