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With an instinctive desire to reassure the other man he spoke quickly

"Perhaps when Cheniston is better they will fall in with your advice No doubt he will require a change after this illness, and very often, you know, a s, and is only too ready to exchange them for others"

"Quite so" Sir Richard spoke absently, looking out of thethe while, and since he was apparently disinclined for conversation, Anstice followed his exa plenty to interest hie and fascinating land, this living frieze of pictures which es of the Old Testament itself

Once, when the train came to a standstill at Ismailia, Sir Richard roused himself to speech

"Of course, should the Bedouins ever rise against the strangers in their esture the attentions of a tall water-seller who thrust a brass saucer containing a doubtful-looking liquid through the carriage , "things ht be serious True, there are not more than a couple of score of them, and so far, with the exception of a fracas with Garnett over soetables they stole froh"

"I see And, as you say, they know quite well that the British Govern that reprisals would be certain to follow any lawlessness, I should say they are too wise to put the After all, too, these people are not doing theht, Anstice, and I'ination run riot in this way" Sir Richard sat upright and gazed out at the world of sun and sand through which they were passing "As you say, they would not dare--and in any case as soon as Bruce can travel ill bring them back to civilization"

"By the way, how soon can we start?" The bare thought of h Anstice's veins; and he awaited Sir Richard's reply with barely-concealed impatience

"Well, we shall reach Cairo--if this confounded train doesn't break down en route--about dinner-tiht--the horses , as early as you like And no doubt you ant to take one or two things with you"

Anstice nodded

"Yes--but they won't take long to procure As for baggage--we travel light?"