"Sybil, ye fathead! And, mind ye, mine's a kiss for bringing the news."
"Right, old chap; and I'll see that you get it," said the now excited owner of this Australian girl's heart.
The boat was now alongside. Ropes were down and fixed. The shore gangway was up, and, in response to the somewhat wild and frantic shouts and grins of Paddy Doolan, Sybil Graham dashed up the steps three at a time.
"Oh, Paddy!" she said, with tears in her eyes. "Where is he?"
"This way, ye darlint." And down into the ward leaped the now madly excited Irishman. Sybil followed. As she reached the foot of the stairs she saw her lover. Nurses, doctors, and patients were then startled with a shriek of delight from a beautiful vision who pounced to a bed and smothered her hero with kisses. Bill and Paddy watched it all.
"Say, Miss Sybil, where do I come in?" said Bill with a sort of well-feigned growl.
"Surely! There's one for you, you dear, dear old bushman," she said, kissing his black-bearded lips.
"Here, Sybil, isn't it Paddy's turn now? He brought the news of you."
"Oh, you lovable Irish rogue—you're worth the kissing—you helped my boy to safety too." And so Paddy received his dues.
"And now, miss," said a smiling nurse, "we're going to take those three lovers of yours to hospital in Cairo."