“Most decidedly.”
“In spite of the djins and evil spirits?”
“Yes,” replied the professor. “I suppose they will not alarm you, Yussuf?”
The guide smiled and shook his head.
“I am most alarmed about those other evil spirits, effendi,” he said smiling; “such as haunt these mountains, and who steal horses, and rob men. I think the effendi will find some curious old ruins, for this seems to have been a famous place once upon a time. There is an old theatre just at the back.”
“Theatre? Nonsense!” said the old lawyer with a snort.
“I meant amphitheatre, effendi—either Greek or Roman,” said Yussuf politely.
“Here, I say, Yussuf,” said Mr Burne, lowering the piece of bread which he had raised half-way to his mouth; “are you an Englishman in disguise pretending to be a Turk?”
Yussuf smiled, and then turned and arrested Mr Preston, who was about to leave his breakfast half finished and get ready to go and see the amphitheatre.
“Pray, finish first, excellency,” he said. “You will not miss it now, but in a few hours’ time you will be growing faint, and suffer for want of being well prepared.”