No sign of life could be discovered, either, in the body of Ben Hassim.
Then that of the third man was approached. As Ali had said, he was a white man, of medium height, with a sharp, hawk-like cast of features. Even in the weird moonlight, the strangeness of the white toga-like garment, belted in at the waist with a dark heavy cord, falling to a little below the knees and leaving the legs bare, could be seen. Unlike the others, whose eyes were opened in death, this man lay with his eyes closed. Mr. Hampton bent forward with a sharp exclamation.
After making a quick examination, during which the boys whispered to each other in comment on the man’s unusual dress and appearance, Mr. Hampton got quickly to his feet.
“This man shows signs of life,” he said. “Two of you carry him back to the tents.”
He turned to the Arabs and directed them to take up Ben Hassim’s body. Then he and Jack lifted that of the Professor. Bob and Frank, bearing the body of the third man, led the way, and the little procession moved back to the clearing.
They were met by Ali, who in the short time of their absence had managed to search all the tents, and had succeeded in finding neither living nor dead except for one old woman who could hardly be said to be either. Although alive, she was half dead from fright.
CHAPTER IV.
THE MYSTERY DEEPENS.
The old woman was given in charge of the Arabs to be questioned later. She was so old that she went without a veil when in the presence of men. Reduced to a state of abject fear by events yet to be learned, she was left in charge of two Arabs placed on guard by a fire lighted in the middle of the open enclosure.
The first thing to be done was to look after the wounded man. Mr. Hampton ordered him carried into the large tent, which had been that of the Sheik Abraham, leader of this little tribe of Arabs which inhabited the Oasis Aiz-Or. Grass mats were scattered about the roomy interior, and there was a divan covered with faded rugs. On a little tabouret burned a lamp of palmolive oil which gave off a not unpleasant odor.
The boys who followed close at the heels of the Arab bearers looked around with curiosity, while the body of the wounded man was laid on the divan and Mr. Hampton began making a critical examination to determine the extent of his injuries.