stood still.

"I did not see them in any window," said Mr. Rawlinson.

"Perhaps they are seated further inside and surely will come out
immediately."

The passengers began to alight, but they were mainly Arabs, as El-Fachn
has nothing interesting to see except beautiful groves of palms and
acacias. The children did not arrive.

"Chamis either did not make connections in El-Wasta," declared Pan
Tarkowski, with a shade of ill-humor, "or after a night of travel
overslept himself, and they will not arrive until to-morrow."

"That may be," answered Mr. Rawlinson, with uneasiness, "but it also
may be possible that one of them is sick."

"In that case Stas would have telegraphed."

"Who knows but that we may find a despatch in the hotel?"

"Let us go."

But in the hotel no news awaited them. Mr. Rawlinson became more and
more uneasy.

"What do you think could have happened?" said Pan Tarkowski. "If Chamis
overslept himself, he would not admit it to the children and would come
to them to-day and tell them that they are to leave to-morrow. To us he
will excuse himself by claiming that he misunderstood our orders. In
any event, I shall telegraph to Stas."

"And I to the Mudir of Fayum."

After a while the despatches were sent. There was indeed no cause for
uneasiness; nevertheless, in waiting for an answer the engineers passed
a bad night, and early morning found them on their feet.

The answer from the Mudir came about ten o'clock and was as follows:

"Verified at station. Children left yesterday for Gharak el-Sultani."

It can easily be understood what amazement and anger possessed the
parents at this unexpected intelligence. For some time they gazed at
each other, as if they did not understand the words of the despatch;
after which Pan Tarkowski, who was an impulsive person, struck the
table with his hand and said:

"That was Stas' whim, but I will cure him of such whims."

"I did not expect that of him," answered Nell's father.

But after a moment he asked:

"But what of Chamis?"

"He either did not find them and does not know what to do or else rode
after them."

"Yes, I think so."

An hour later they started for Medinet. In camp they ascertained that
the camels were gone, and at the station it was confirmed that Chamis
left with the children for El-Gharak. The affair became darker and
darker and it could be cleared up only in El-Gharak.

In fact, only at that station did the dreadful truth beg