“Certainly.”
“All right, gentlemen, then so am I, and as soon as ever you like.”
“Hah!” ejaculated Frank, who had been watching the play of the man’s countenance anxiously, and he crossed to Sam and shook his hand, making the butler’s face glow with pride and pleasure combined.
“Now then,” said the professor, “one more word, Sam. It is of vital importance that you keep all this a profound secret. From this hour you know nothing except that you are the Hakim’s servant till we have left Cairo. After that you are the Hakim’s slave, and you hold him in awe.”
“Of course, sir,” said Sam, with his face wrinkling with perplexity. “I’ll hold him in anything you like. I won’t say a word to a soul. I won’t know anything, and I hope Mr Hakim will be as satisfied with me as master has always been.”
“And you think I have always been satisfied with you, Samuel?” said the doctor, smiling pleasantly.
“I think so, sir,” replied the man. “I’ve been some years in your service, and you’re a gentleman as will always have everything done as it should be.”
“Of course.”
“And you never found fault with me yet. And I will say that a better mas—”
“No, you will not,” said the doctor quickly. “That will do.”