Choking with emotion I staggered to the tent.

“Swank!—Whinney!—we start at once.”

They tumbled from their places.

“You are mad! At this hour? Man alive....”

“Very well.... Call Ab-Domen ... he and I will start ahead with four camels. I must ride tonight.”

As they obeyed my order Lady Sarah slipped by me into the tent, her eyes dark with pain. Ab-Domen sleepily led out a small group of camels and the necessaries for our advance party.

“Due East,” I said to Whinney, “leave out Tabala and proceed to the next station at Hammababa. We will await you there.”

“Right-o—Goodbye ... and good luck. We ought to get there in three days.”

My friends turned in for they needed sleep badly. A few moments later Ab-Domen and I were ready for departure. Suddenly a piercing scream rang from the Wimpoles’ tents and Lady Sarah rushed into the night.

“El-Dhub!”