"About three weeks."
"Yes," said the doctor, "three weeks to go, and three weeks to return, in all six weeks, without considering the delay there will be in answering the communication. We may have the cholera here long before that time."
"If God wills it, there will be no cholera," said the Pacha.
I interrupted him, "You are strengthening your garrison?"
"Yes."
"You will repair the fortifications?"
"Yes."
"You are supplying the troops with Martini-Peabody rifles at a great expense to your Government?"
"Yes."
"Well," I continued, "why are you doing this?"