“Very well,” said the Hakim gravely; “I will do my best. The instruments, Ben Eddin,” he continued, “and what is necessary.”
Sam was already at the door, and Frank joined him, to prepare all that would be required, while the young chief looked on, eager and smiling, but standing aloof from the Hakim as if in perfect confidence as to the result, but feeling a superstitious dread of his power.
There was an interval of waiting then, with the sound of the instruments preceding the triumphant warriors coming nearer and nearer, till all at once the young chief nodded smilingly to Frank, said a few words to the Sheikh, and hurried out.
“What does that mean?” said the professor.
“He has gone to see how the chief is and will come to see you as soon as they have brought him in. He says—”
The Sheikh stopped short, and looked from one to the other as if perplexed.
“What does he say?” asked the doctor sternly.
“He said, O Hakim,” replied the Sheikh humbly, “that he hoped his father’s friend and brother was dead.”
“He said that! Why? Is this an enemy?”
“No, Excellency; it is because others of the chief men and their doctors do not believe in you, and he wants to show them how great you are.”