Part 21 (1/2)

”Mr Burne! Asleep!” said the professor quickly.

”Yes, effendi; I lay down to rest as you bade me, and I slept, expecting to be called later on to watch; but I was not awakened, and slept heavily. I was weary.”

”But Mr Burne was to watch for only three hours as near as he could guess, and then call me. It is too bad. Those scoundrels might have stolen upon us in our sleep.”

Lawrence had risen and joined them.

”Poor fellow!” he said softly; ”he must have been tired out. Let me watch now, Mr Preston.”

”No,” said the professor sternly. ”Lie down and sleep, my lad. Sleep brings strength. You shall have your turn as soon as you are well enough.”

”Thy servant will watch now,” said Yussuf. ”It is nearly day.”

”It is too bad,” said the professor again; and with the Turk he walked to where Mr Burne lay fast asleep--so soundly, indeed, that he did not stir when Yussuf bent down and took the pistol from his hand.

”Let him sleep, then,” said Mr Preston rather bitterly. ”I will watch;” and as he spoke he looked in the direction of the Greeks' camp.

”Let thy servant,” said Yussuf quietly; ”I am well rested now.”

The result was that Lawrence, after a glance round to see that everywhere it was dark and still, once more lay down to sleep, leaving Mr Preston and the Turk talking in a low voice about their proceedings the next day.

Then once more all was blank, but to the lad he did not seem to have been asleep a minute when he heard voices and started up, to see that it was broad daylight, and that Mr Preston and Yussuf were in earnest conversation with Mr Burne, who was sitting up rubbing his eyes.

”Been asleep!” he cried; ”nonsense! I don't believe I have closed my eyes.”

”No,” said Mr Preston as Lawrence hurried up. ”I do not suppose you did. It was nature, and she laid you down comfortably on this soft sandy bed.”

”But you astound me,” cried the old lawyer. ”I can't believe it.”

”Quite true all the same,” said the professor; ”but never mind now.”

”It is of no use to mind, my dear sir. We must make the best of it.”

”Of course, but you should have awakened me when you felt weary.”

”Yes, exactly; I meant to--I--dear me! I remember now. I thought I would lie down for a few moments to take off a drowsy feeling. I meant to get up again directly, strong and refreshed. Dear, dear, dear! I am very sorry! So unbusiness-like of me! What time is it?”

The professor smiled.

”About four, I think.”

”Ah, yes; it must be about four,” said the old lawyer looking about him and encountering the stern eyes of Yussuf, which were full of reproach.

”Good job the Greeks did not come and disturb us.”

”They did not disturb you, then?” said the professor gravely.

”No; not they--the scoundrels! They had too serious a lesson in the boat, and--”

He stopped short and looked in the direction of the spot where the three Greek sailors had lain down to sleep the night before, and then he turned his gaze out to sea.