“For certain,” was the reply.
“But do you think he will prove business-like and go to work heart and soul in our service?”
“I can only speak from past experience,” replied the professor. “I have always found him thoroughly trustworthy, and I feel sure he will be so now.”
“And about the preparations, the dress, provisions, and the many odds and ends we shall require?”
“All that I shall leave to Ibrahim. What you have to get ready is a couple of portmanteaus that can be swung one on either side of a strong camel by means of straps. These must contain all your chemical and electrical apparatus in one, the doctor’s instruments and medicines in the other, with an ample supply of lint, bandages, antiseptics, plaisters, and the like. Chloroform, of course. But there must be no superfluities. As to dress, we must place ourselves in Ibrahim’s hands.”
“What about weapons?” said Frank. “Swords and revolvers, of course. What about rifles?”
“I have brought two or three antiquated weapons for show; that is all. We are not going to fight. Give up all thoughts of that.”
Frank stared at the speaker anxiously.
“Surely we ought to carry revolvers,” he said.
“Surely we ought not. If we go as men of war we shall fail. If we go as men of peace we may succeed. Leave all that to Ibrahim, and we shall know what is to be done when he comes back this morning. Now then, the first thing to be done is to eat and drink.”