In the Mahdi's Grasp Part 54

All this while the three Mullahs looked on as such men would--old pract.i.tioners in fraud and deceit, dealing with the ignorant superst.i.tions of their tribes--their swarthy faces darkening in contempt, treating it all as a piece of jugglery on the part of a Frankish pretender to infinite power.

But on the other hand the faces of the Emir and his son were full of wonder as well as faith, knowing so well as they did the great wisdom and skill of the man who had saved their lives.

"Now," said the Hakim slowly and gravely, "help me, Frederick, my son.

I have probed again for the bullet, and know where it must lie. You and Ibrahim must carefully turn him half upon his face."

This was quickly done, and a thrill ran quivering through the Emir as he saw the Hakim take out a keen knife from the case that hung from his girdle, and with a quick movement divide the white garment the patient wore from neck to waist, laying bare the muscular back and side, and as quickly laying the soft white cotton fabric apart. "Now," said the Hakim, "tell the Emir that the thick curtains must be lowered over that window and all the light shut out. That done, whatever takes place no one must move or speak."

The words were firmly and solemnly uttered, and the place lending itself well to the purpose, the heavy rug-like curtains were allowed to fall over the window, the Emir and his son both helping, and then stopping in amaze by the drapery as for a few moments the chamber was in total darkness.

Then a strange, hissing noise arose, and heavy, startled breathing was heard, while the faces of all present were illumined by the dazzling flashes of light which began to play in a cylinder of gla.s.s.

Nothing could have been more startling to one strange to the wonders of science, for the scene was horrible and weird, suggestive to the Baggara--chiefs and Mullahs--of magic in its most awful guise. For as they stood spellbound there by the strange light which played about as if some hissing, fiery dragon were flickering its lambent tongue in and out of its glistening jaws, not only were the faces and busy hands of the Hakim and his a.s.sistants seen moving rapidly, but directly after there, in a faint glare, was the bare torso of the dying Emir.

Then, heard above the hissing of the electricity the Hakim's voice was heard, and all eyes were turned to him as the flashes of light brightened his stern, firm face.

"Ibrahim," he said, "bid the Emir come here to my side."

The order was interpreted, and firmly and without a moment's hesitation, the swarthy chief walked close up to the divan, noting as he did so that the flashes of light in the cylinder glanced from the keen knife which the Hakim held.

"Now," said the latter calmly, "tell him that as a last effort I am about to try and find where the bullet which is slaying his friend is lying."

The Sheikh's voice trembled a little as he spoke, but he interpreted the words clearly, and the Emir said softly--

"The Hakim is wise and great."

"_Now_!" said the doctor sharply, and wonder of wonders! the upper portion of the wounded man's flank was seen to become transparent, the muscular portions to dissolve in a soft, dull light, leaving the bones weirdly plain as if he had long pa.s.sed away, and the awe-stricken beholders were gazing upon the skeleton remains; while most horrible of all, amidst the low murmur of dread which arose from the Mullahs and Ibrahim, a skeleton hand suddenly darted out, holding a knife and pointed to a small, round, black spot close to the dark backbone.

"Enough!" said the Hakim loudly. "Quick, the light!"

No legendary Eastern magic ever expressed one-half the marvels of that scene. One moment the electricity was hissing and the bright flashes playing about, giving ghastly effects to the faces of all, as, wild with horror, they gazed at the dull, black skeleton and the horrible pointing hand; the next the hissing had ceased, the vision had died out, and then there was a rustling noise as the curtain was torn away and the Hakim was seen in the bright sunlight, bending over the prostrate man.

A quick movement or two followed, the knife was thrown down and instruments used, and the Hakim said shortly--

"Water--sponge."

The professor had only to take a step, and then with a rapidity that was almost marvellous the marks of blood had been removed, a little lint and a bandage applied, and the Hakim was pointing to a large bullet, that which had nearly pa.s.sed through the wounded man without touching a vital place.

"It is great," said the Emir simply, as he took up the globe of lead, and then turned to the Sheikh.

"Ask the great Hakim if now my friend will live. No, ask not," he said.

"I know."

Then a peculiar smile of contempt played about his stern face as he stood watching the three Mullahs, who, with bended heads, were slowly pa.s.sing to the door and leaving the room without a word.

The Hakim did not even turn his head to look after them, but glanced at Frank and the professor, who were rapidly disconnecting wires and placing the apparatus ready for sending back to their quarters. Then feeling what the Emir must have said, he looked him full in the eyes and said in plain English--

"I think your friend will recover now, Emir. Go and tell those who love him what I say."

Then turning to the Sheikh the old man gravely interpreted the words, and the Emir caught at and kissed the Hakim's hand, before hurrying out, followed by his son.

"Bravo, Ben Eddin!" said the professor excitedly. "Here, Ibrahim, fetch in your men to carry these things back to our rooms."

"Yes, Excellency," said the old man quietly; "but truly the Hakim is great. Tell me, is this magic--I have long thought all that we have been taught was childish tales, but after what I have seen--"

"Believe as you did before, Ibrahim," said the doctor gravely, as he laid his hand upon the old man's shoulder; "there is no magic, but the wonders of Nature are greater far. This is only another of the discoveries of science. You have heard at Cairo the voices come along the wire?"

"Yes, Excellency, and the machine that speaks."

"Yes, and this is another of the marvels we have learned."

"But they will believe it is magic," said the old man.

"Well, let them," said the Hakim calmly. "Now, quick, and get all this away. My patient must have perfect quiet if he is to live."

"Thank you, Frank, boy," said the doctor, as soon as the Sheikh had left the room. "You managed everything to perfection. I little thought I should have to operate out here with the Rontgen rays."

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

FRANK'S FRIEND.

"The young Emir wants you to go out with him, Excellency," said Ibrahim the same day, towards evening.

Frank stared, and not feeling safe, remained silent, but the professor spoke for him.

"Wants him to go out? What for?"

"It is out of friendly feeling, Excellency," replied the Sheikh. "They are much of an age, and the young Emir says that Ben Eddin is wonderful."

"But it is so strange," said the professor; "the one is a chief, and the other a slave."

"Yes, Excellency, but Ben Eddin is not a white, and he can be friends with him."

"I suppose it means friendliness, Frank, and if you refuse it will give offence. Ah, here's the Hakim. How is your patient?"

"Calming down into a natural sleep, and certainly better."

The professor told him of the young Emir's message, and the Hakim looked grave.

"We cannot refuse," he said, "and it may mean a fresh opportunity for getting new. You must go, Frank."

After the first surprise the latter felt all eagerness, for the reason expressed by his friend, and going out into the garden he found the young Emir impatiently waiting for him, and ready to greet him with a warmth which showed that the object was friendly in the extreme, but he stopped short, frowning and pointing to the young man's side.

For a few minutes Frank looked at him in a puzzled way, for his words were perfectly unintelligible, till signs were made, the young Emir touching his belt, sword, and dagger, and then pointing to the house.

After the gift that had been made a short time before there could be no mistaking the meaning, and Frank went back to his room, took down the sword, dagger, and belt from the wall, and walked back fastening them on.