don't think Mr Abrams has been killed?"

"I only know he has not returned, Sam."

"Oh, but look at him. Such a fine, long-bearded old Arab as he is. Oh,
they wouldn't kill him. He's gone a bit further, sir, to get some news.
There, I've been red-hot to start and get away from here, but I don't
want to go now. I say, let's stop till he comes back. We can't go and
leave him behind."

Frank sighed.

"We are under the Emir's guard," he said, "and when the order to start
is given we shall have to obey."

"And about now, sir. It's of no use to pretend to lie down and sleep,"
said Sam; "I couldn't get a wink."

"No, nor anyone else," replied Frank; "there is nothing to be done but
watch and wait."

CHAPTER FORTY ONE.

THE LAST STRUGGLE.

The night glided slowly on, seeming to be as long as several to the
weary watchers, and during the latter part, when the bustle of
preparation had long ceased in the women's part of the palace, even the
horses and camels beyond the dividing wall had grown perfectly quiet.

From time to time, watchful and silent, the officer of the guard had
been to visit them, looking sharply round and then leaving without a
word; while after one of his visits Frank and the professor stepped out
into the open to visit the Sheikh's men, who were seated smoking
patiently by their crouching camels, waiting for their chief's return.

In this look round and another which followed, Frank found that the men
of the bodyguard were fully on the alert, and that twice as many
sentries as usual were about the place. But all was silent save a low
murmur from the far-spreading city--a low, strange buzzing burr as if
from some vast hive, suggesting that the whole place was awake and in
expectation of something about to happen.

At last there were the faint indications of the coming day, but to the
watchers even they seemed cold and strange, differing from the early
dawns they were accustomed to in their journeys across the vast stretch
of sand.

The light increased, and a strange restlessness, which they could not
explain attacked the watchers. The drowsiness that had been felt from
time to time had completely passed away, and while the Hakim sat looking
stern and anxious, Sam relieved his feelings by making coffee, feeling
sure all the time that no one would touch it, and Frank and the
professor fidgeted about in and out to look at the camel-drivers seated
as calmly as the quaint animals they ten