dark and still, once more lay down to sleep, leaving
Mr Preston and the Turk talking in a low voice about their proceedings
the next day.

Then once more all was blank, but to the lad he did not seem to have
been asleep a minute when he heard voices and started up, to see that it
was broad daylight, and that Mr Preston and Yussuf were in earnest
conversation with Mr Burne, who was sitting up rubbing his eyes.

"Been asleep!" he cried; "nonsense! I don't believe I have closed my
eyes."

"No," said Mr Preston as Lawrence hurried up. "I do not suppose you
did. It was nature, and she laid you down comfortably on this soft
sandy bed."

"But you astound me," cried the old lawyer. "I can't believe it."

"Quite true all the same," said the professor; "but never mind now."

"It is of no use to mind, my dear sir. We must make the best of it."

"Of course, but you should have awakened me when you felt weary."

"Yes, exactly; I meant to--I--dear me! I remember now. I thought I
would lie down for a few moments to take off a drowsy feeling. I meant
to get up again directly, strong and refreshed. Dear, dear, dear! I am
very sorry! So unbusiness-like of me! What time is it?"

The professor smiled.

"About four, I think."

"Ah, yes; it must be about four," said the old lawyer looking about him
and encountering the stern eyes of Yussuf, which were full of reproach.
"Good job the Greeks did not come and disturb us."

"They did not disturb you, then?" said the professor gravely.

"No; not they--the scoundrels! They had too serious a lesson in the
boat, and--"

He stopped short and looked in the direction of the spot where the three
Greek sailors had lain down to sleep the night before, and then he
turned his gaze out to sea.

"Why, where are they?" he exclaimed at last.

"Where, indeed!" replied the professor.

"You don't mean to say--you don't want to make me believe that they are
gone!" cried Burne excitedly.

"They are not anywhere near here on shore," replied the professor; "and
the boat has sailed away. There is only one in sight, miles away
yonder. That may be it, but I am not sure."

"Do you mean to say that those scoundrels have taken advantage of our
being asleep to get on board the boat and escape?" said the lawyer
angrily.

"That is the only point at which I can arrive," said the professor.
"Look around and judge for yourself."

The old lawyer looked sharply about him and then walked sl