Dick advised Mr. Fenshawe to send out two
men on horseback in order to locate the Hadendowas. Hussain, who was
acquainted with the country, volunteered for this duty, and he and his
companion came in at midnight with the depressing report that Alfieri
and his free-booters were not to be found on the main track to
Suleiman's Well.
By this time, not only Fenshawe and Irene, but Stump and Abdur Kad'r,
when called into counsel, shared Dick's foreboding. It was impossible
to do anything before dawn, and the sole difficulty that remained was
to decide whether they should march, when the first streaks of light
showed in the sky, or await the hour fixed for the interview with
Alfieri. They resolved to leave Hussain and a few trustworthy men at
the oasis, with instructions to remain there until eight o'clock. If
Alfieri kept his tryst, they were to give him a letter, written by
Irene, which asked him to follow and join the expedition. Otherwise,
they were to ride after the caravan at top speed, and report his non-
arrival.
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