Then turning slowly to the others he saluted them gravely.
“Effendis,” he said, “I am thy servant. Allah be with us in all our journeyings to and fro. I will go.”
“I am glad!” cried Lawrence.
“And so am I,” said the professor, hesitating for a moment, and then holding out his hand, which Yussuf took respectfully, held for a moment, and then turned to Mr Burne.
“Oh, all right, shake hands,” said the latter, “if it’s the custom of the country; and now about terms.”
“Leave me to settle that with Yussuf,” said the landlord hastily, and he and the Muslim left the room.
“Seems queer to begin by being inspected, and then shaking hands with the servant we engage, eh, professor?” said Mr Burne.
“The man is to be more than servant,” replied Mr Preston; “he is to be our guide and companion for months. He repelled me at first, but directly he spoke in that soft deep voice there seemed to me to be truth in every accent. He is a gentleman at heart, and I believe we have found a pearl. What do you say, Lawrence?”
“He made me like him directly he looked in my eyes, and I am very glad he is going.”
“I repeat my words,” said the professor.