Pansy's heart stood still.
"Is he still alive?" she asked breathlessly, horror clutching at her.
"Sir George he go also to the city of El-Ammeh, de Sultan's city."
A feeling of overwhelming relief swept over Pansy on hearing her father was still alive.
For some minutes she lay brooding on the horrible situation and how she could best cope with it, all the time feeling as if she were in some wild nightmare. Then she remembered her own vast riches.
All these Arab chiefs knew the value of money. She might be able to ransom her father, herself, the whole party.
"Where is the Sultan? Tell him I want to see him," she said suddenly in a weak, excited way.
"He no be here. He go back to El-Ammeh. You go, too, Miss Pansy, an' I go wid you, when Doctor Edouard say you be fit to move."
Pansy clutched at the name of Edouard. After that of the Sultan Casim Ammeh it had a welcome European sound.
"Where is Doctor Edouard? Can I speak to him?" she asked quickly.