"There you are, fling yourself on that while I go and get you some supper. Your horse has been put on our lines, and the men have attended to him, so you needn't bother. Your saddle shall be brought here."
The sergeant went out, and soon returned with the promised supper, and George fell to with an appetite in no way impaired by his fatigue. While he was in the middle of it, chatting away to his companion, an orderly strode up, and, putting his head in the doorway, said—
"Does the man named Helmar stop here, Sergeant Smith?"
"Yes, here I am," answered George, before the sergeant could reply.
"Good!" said the orderly. "You will hold yourself in readiness to leave at daybreak on special duty."
"Hurrah!" exclaimed Helmar. "I'm going to Cairo after all!"
"You, Sergeant," continued the man, "will have other work to do. The general assembly will sound at ten-thirty. Arabi's going to get fits to-night!" he added, as he went off, laughing.
