“But they have given orders to have their letters sent to El-Fasher.”
“In this letter the elder effendi tells why they are in El-Gharak.” And he searched his clothes a while for the letter, and then called out:
“Oh, Nabi! (prophet) I have left the letter in the packet with the camel-drivers. I will run and get it before Idris and Gebhr depart.”
He ran to the camel-drivers, and meanwhile the children and Dinah began to prepare for the journey. As a longer excursion lay before them, Dinah packed up some underlinen and warmer clothes for Nell. Stasch also thought of his things, and took special pains not to forget the rifle and the cartridges, as he hoped to come across wolves and hyenas on the sand-dunes of Wadi Rayan.
Chamis did not return until an hour later, so bathed in perspiration and so out of breath that he could hardly speak a word.
“I did not reach the camel-drivers in time,” he finally said. “I tried to overtake them, but without success. But that is of no consequence, for we shall find the letter and also the two effendis in El-Gharak. Is Dinah going with us?”
“What?”
“Perhaps it would be better for her to stay behind. Neither of the effendis has said anything about her.”
“Still they planned the journey, arranging for Dinah always to accompany the little girl, and therefore she will go with us on this trip.”
Chamis bowed, placed his hand on his heart, and said: