“Quite time, effendi. Look there!”
Mr Preston rose and gazed in the direction of the Turk’s pointing finger, which was directed towards something indistinctly seen a few yards away.
“Mr Burne! Asleep!” said the professor quickly.
“Yes, effendi; I lay down to rest as you bade me, and I slept, expecting to be called later on to watch; but I was not awakened, and slept heavily. I was weary.”
“But Mr Burne was to watch for only three hours as near as he could guess, and then call me. It is too bad. Those scoundrels might have stolen upon us in our sleep.”
Lawrence had risen and joined them.
“Poor fellow!” he said softly; “he must have been tired out. Let me watch now, Mr Preston.”
“No,” said the professor sternly. “Lie down and sleep, my lad. Sleep brings strength. You shall have your turn as soon as you are well enough.”
“Thy servant will watch now,” said Yussuf. “It is nearly day.”
“It is too bad,” said the professor again; and with the Turk he walked to where Mr Burne lay fast asleep—so soundly, indeed, that he did not stir when Yussuf bent down and took the pistol from his hand.