he Dragon! he mustn't begin to talk,"
cried the professor excitedly. "That would spoil all."

There was a pause while the professor bent over and examined the
sufferer.

"Well," he said, "I'm not a doctor, but my journeys out here made me
dabble a bit, and quack over my own ailments and those of my followers
when there was no medical man to be had. I don't know, Robert, old
friend, but I should say it was a touch of brain fever, consequent upon
yesterday's excitement in the sun."

"Ah-h-h!" ejaculated Sam, with a sigh of relief.

"You be quiet," said the professor sharply. Then turning to the doctor,
"Well, what do you think?"

"The same as you do. Poor lad! His anxiety was horrible, and what he
went through was enough to prostrate a man twice as strong."

"But you don't think he is going to be seriously ill?"

"I hope not. Stay here while I mix him a sedative. He must have sleep;
and Sam, get ready cold water compresses for his head."

"Cold water, sir?" said the man gravely.

"Well, a bowl of water, my man. I'll bring in something to make it
evaporate more quickly."

The doctor went to where his case lay in a corner of his room, and
rapidly prepared a sedative draught, took up a bottle, and returned to
the professor, to find Sam waiting with bowl of water and cloths.

"He's babbling about Harry and that plan of his," said the professor.

"No wonder, poor fellow! Raise him up a little. I daresay he will
drink this quietly enough."

"One moment, sir," said Sam hurriedly. "Me, please," and with an
eagerness evidently intended to fully disabuse the doctor's mind of all
doubts regarding his fear of infection, Sam went behind the head of the
couch and carefully raised the sick man's head and shoulders so that he
could drink easily; and this he did with avidity.

The next minute the doctor had half emptied a bottle into the water,
which gave forth a peculiar, pungent odour on Sam wringing out a
handkerchief; and this was spread across the poor fellow's temples and
afterwards kept moist.

"Just at the most unlucky time," said the professor, with a sigh, as
they sat near, watching the patient, who had sunk into the desired
sleep; "but we must make the best of it. Here, Sam, we must eat and
drink whatever happens."

"Breakfast is quite ready, sir," was the reply; "but I haven't seen
anything of Mr Abrahams this morning."

"Look here," said the professor angrily, "if you call the Sheikh Abraham