"Did the second man leave no message?" asked the guide.
The villager replied that the "white man" had left word that those who followed him were to wait in the village until he returned. He expected to be back that night with news of great importance.
Accordingly they halted for the afternoon, and, giving the villagers a wide berth, camped upon the sand, lighting a fire, upon which they cooked a meal.
"And all this time," said Harry, "von Hardenberg lies buried alive, starving to death in the Caves of Zoroaster."
Fernando shook his head.
"He cannot starve," said he. "I noticed he wore a haversack well filled with provisions. And I have heard it said that inside the vault is water; a small spring bubbles up in a great basin, forming a little fountain."
"You have seen it?" asked Harry.
"No," said the man; "but I know what I say is true. And, even were there no water in the cave, the Prussian carried a water-bottle."
Harry Urquhart sighed.
"All this is like a dream," he exclaimed.