They have
their spears and their guns and swords, and their camels are swift. Is
not that enough, O Excellency?"

"Quite," said the professor; "but there would be danger, perhaps, for
the Mahdi's followers range far."

"True, my lord, and they are many. Mine are but as a handful of sand.
His Excellency would not go to fight the Khalifa? It would be mad."

"A wise man can fight with cunning, and do more than a strong man with
his sword and spear."

The Sheikh was silent, and stood in the semi-darkness with his eyes
reflecting the lights of the hotel strangely, as he glanced from one to
the other as if trying to read their faces.

"I shall have to tell him all, Frank," said the professor slowly, in
Latin.

"The risk is too great," replied Frank hurriedly. "We should be putting
ourselves in his power, and if he is not true he would destroy all our
hopes."

"We can go no further without his help, Frank," said the professor
gravely. "_Tace_."

"His Excellency's words are dark," said the Sheikh, in a low, deep
voice. "He speaks of dangers, and of the Mahdi's men, and of fighting
with cunning. Will he not fully trust his servant, and make his words
and wishes shine with the light of day? Does his Excellency wish to
play the spy upon the new Mahdi's movements?"

"No," said the professor firmly.

The Sheikh drew a long breath which sounded like a sigh of relief.

"I am glad," he said softly, "for their lives are dear to my young men.
They have their wives and little ones, and the followers of the Mahdi
seek blood. What would the learned Englishman who loves the stone
writings of the ancient people do amongst the conquering spearmen of the
prophet's chosen one?"

"Answer this, Ibrahim: Do you believe this new Mahdi or Khalifa is the
chosen one of the prophet?"

The Sheikh laughed softly.

"Thy servant thought much when he was young, and all his life he has had
dealings with the wise men from the west who have come here from many
countries to see and seek out what the old people left buried in the
sands of time. He could not help, as he saw the wonders they brought to
light, and sat in the same tent with them, growing wiser and thinking in
their tongue. He has seen, too, again and again, fresh prophets rise to
utter the same cry, `Lo, O people, I am the prophet's chosen, sent to
free the country from the heathen Christian dog.' And it has always
been the same: the people cry aloud and believe and f