In the Mahdi's Grasp Part 15

"Splendidly! Can't he, Morris?"

"Oh, yes, excellently well," said the doctor, smiling.

The Sheikh took off his turban and softly pa.s.sed one hand over a head which was like a very old, deeply-stained billiard ball at the top, but was stubbly at the back and sides, as if it had not been touched by a barber for a week.

"May he shave me, Excellency?" said the old man. "I should like to see the man and whether he is skilful enough to deceive those who will watch him with jealous eyes."

"Of course you can see him," said the doctor. "He will be in my room."

"Let's go, then, at once," said the professor. "I say, Ibrahim, there need be no disguise about him. He is a Frank, and the Hakim's slave."

"Yes, that will do, Excellency," said the Sheikh. "The Hakim's skill as a learned man and curer of the people's ills will cover all. If this man is clever, too, as a barber every Moslem will look upon him as a friend. Barber, surgeon, and the Hakim's slave. Yes, that will do."

Five minutes after the party were in the doctor's room, and upon the bell being answered by a native servant, Sam was fetched from his breakfast, to come up wondering, half expecting that something was wrong.

"Sam," said the doctor gravely, "I wish you to shave this gentleman's head."

"Certainly, sir. I'll ring for some hot water."

"No," said the professor; "we're going where hot water will be scarce--I mean that sort of hot water. Do it with cold."

"Right, sir," said the man, in the most unruffled way, and slipping off his coat he turned up his sleeves, placed a chair for the Sheikh, opened the doctor's dressing-case, brought out shaving-box, strop, and razors, and then made the old chief look a little askance as one of the latter was opened, examined, and laid down, while the brush and shaving-box were brought so vigorously into action, that in a very short time the Arab's head was thoroughly lathered, and left to soak.

"I always prefer hot water, gentlemen," said Sam, confidentially; "it's better for the patient, and better for the razor, for it improves the edge. But these are splendid tools, as I know."

Whipping open one of the choice razors, and drawing the strop as if it were a short Roman sword, Sam made the Sheikh wince a little as the sharp blade was made to play to and fro and from end to end, changing from side to side, and with all the dash and light touch of a clever barbel, being finished off by sharp applications to the palm of the operator's hand.

"There we are, sir," said Sam, who seemed to be quite in his element.

"Don't squirm, sir; I won't cut you, nor hurt you either. I was taught shaving by a first-cla.s.s hand."

"Don't talk so much, Sam," said Frank impatiently. "We want you to shave this Arab gentleman carefully and well."

"Well, ain't I trying my best, Master Frank? Look at that, and look at that, and that. Razor cuts beautifully."

As he spoke he sc.r.a.ped off with long sweeps the white, soapy foam, which came away darkened with tiny swathes of blackish-grey stubble.

"I call this a regular big shave. Don't hurt, do I, sir?"

The Arab uttered a grunt which might have meant yes or no.

Sam took it to mean the latter.

"Thought not, sir. That's fine shaving-soap, sir; he--mollient; softens the stubble and the skin at the same time. My word! this is a prime razor. Only fancy, Mr Frank, being out here, shaving a native!"

"Will you keep your tongue quiet!" whispered Frank angrily. "This is a serious matter. Mind what you're doing, and don't talk."

"Don't ask a man to do impossibilities, sir," said the man appealingly; "did you ever know anyone shaved without the operator talking all the time? It's natural, sir, and seems to make you shave cleaner. I'm a-doing the very best I can. I must talk, or I should get nicking his skin and spoil the job."

"Then for goodness' sake talk," cried Frank petulantly.

"Thankye, sir; now I can get on," and with wonderful celerity Sam sc.r.a.ped away with light hand till the last line of lather was taken off, a touch or two here and there given with the brush, and this fresh soap removed, after which the razor was closed, sponge and water applied, and a clean towel handed to the Sheikh, who received it with a grave smile and nod of the head.

"Good," he said softly. "Clever barber. It is good."

"Then you are satisfied?" said the professor eagerly.

"Quite, Excellency. Now I have no fear."

Sam smiled too with satisfaction as he carefully wiped and re-stropped the razor before placing it in its case. At the same time, though, there was a peculiar, inquisitive look in his eyes. For the whole business seemed to be strange, and he looked longingly at Frank as if hoping that he would follow and explain, when the doctor said--

"That will do, Samuel. Go and have your breakfast."

But Frank did not follow, for he was eager to hear what the Sheikh would say as soon as they were alone.

Little was said, though, the old Arab being anxious to go and rejoin his followers staying in the village half a mile outside the town, promising to be back during the morning to talk over the arrangements for the venturesome journey.

"Will he come back and hold to the promise?" said Frank to the professor.

"For certain," was the reply.

"But do you think he will prove business-like and go to work heart and soul in our service?"

"I can only speak from past experience," replied the professor. "I have always found him thoroughly trustworthy, and I feel sure he will be so now."

"And about the preparations, the dress, provisions, and the many odds and ends we shall require?"

"All that I shall leave to Ibrahim. What you have to get ready is a couple of portmanteaus that can be swung one on either side of a strong camel by means of straps. These must contain all your chemical and electrical apparatus in one, the doctor's instruments and medicines in the other, with an ample supply of lint, bandages, antiseptics, plaisters, and the like. Chloroform, of course. But there must be no superfluities. As to dress, we must place ourselves in Ibrahim's hands."

"What about weapons?" said Frank. "Swords and revolvers, of course.

What about rifles?"

"I have brought two or three antiquated weapons for show; that is all.

We are not going to fight. Give up all thoughts of that."

Frank stared at the speaker anxiously.

"Surely we ought to carry revolvers," he said.

"Surely we ought not. If we go as men of war we shall fail. If we go as men of peace we may succeed. Leave all that to Ibrahim, and we shall know what is to be done when he comes back this morning. Now then, the first thing to be done is to eat and drink."

Frank sighed.

"Without this we shall do no work."

Frank knew the wisdom there was in these words, and he resigned himself to his fate, accompanying his companions to the hotel coffee-room to take their places at the table set apart for them, to become for the time being a mere group of the many, for the place was full of visitors staying, and others making a temporary sojourn before continuing their steamer's route, these to India or China, those back to Europe; while other tables were occupied by officers awaiting their orders to go up country, or go on making preparations for the advance of the troops already there, and further arrangements for those coming out by the great transports expected; for it was the common talk now that before long a large force was to march against the Mahdi's successor, and Gordon was to be at last avenged.