Yussuf the Guide Part 58

"Your excellency never trusted me," he replied proudly.

"I did not at first, certainly," said the old lawyer. "I'll go so far as to say that in the full swing of my suspicions I was almost ready to think that you had been playing into the brigands' hands and had sold us."

"Oh, Mr Burne!" cried Lawrence reproachfully.

"You hold your tongue, boy. You're out of court. You haven't been a lawyer for nearly forty years; I have."

"I have tried hard to win Mr Burne's confidence," said Yussuf gravely.

"I am sorry I have failed."

"But you have not failed, my good fellow," cried the old lawyer. "I only say, Are you a real Turk or a sham?"

"Will your excellency explain?" said Yussuf with dignity. "I speak your tongue, and understand plain meanings, but when there are two thoughts in a word I cannot follow."

"I mean, my dear fellow, you so thoroughly understand the thoughts and ways of English gentlemen that it is hard to think you are a born Turk."

"Oh!" said Yussuf smiling. "I have been so much with them, excellency, and--I have tried to learn."

"There's a lesson for you, Lawrence," said the professor smiling.

"Well, then, Yussuf, to-morrow night."

"Yes, excellency."

"Then, had we not better tell the Chumleys?"

Yussuf was silent for a few moments.

"I am sorry about them," he said at last. "We cannot leave them behind, for it would mean their death; but if we fail in our escape, it will be through them. No, excellency, say no word till we are ready to start, and then say, 'Come!'"

"You are right, Yussuf," said Mr Burne. "That woman would chatter all over the place if she knew: say nothing, and we must make the best of them. But I say, isn't it turning very cold?"

"Yes, excellency, we are high up in the mountains. There is no other place so high as this, and if we do not go soon the winter will be upon us."

"Winter? not yet," said the professor.

"Your excellency forgets it is winter in the mountains when it may be only autumn in the plains."

CHAPTER FORTY TWO.

A SAD FAILURE.

At last!

The Chumleys were fast asleep; the wood fire had burned down into a faint glow that played over the white ashes, and the air seemed to be piercingly cold.

The guards had looked in according to their custom, and then proved how cold it was by stopping by the fire for about a quarter of an hour, talking in a low tone together before going out.

The provisions, princ.i.p.ally bread and raisins, were taken out of Yussuf's hiding-place, where he kept the worsted rope, and this latter he wore twisted round his chest, beneath his loose garment, ready in case it might be wanted. The food was made into six packages, and each took his load, leaving two for the Chumleys, and now a short conversation ensued about Hamed, whom they had only seen once since their imprisonment. For the driver had been sent to another part of the old ruins with the horses.

The professor was saying that they ought to try and get Hamed away with them; but Yussuf declared it would be impossible, and said that as a compatriot he was perfectly safe.

Under these circ.u.mstances it was decided to leave him; and now, all being ready, Lawrence was deputed to awaken the Chumleys, and bid them rise and follow.

"How do you feel, my lad?" said the professor, with his lips to Lawrence's ears.

"Nervous, sir."

"No wonder. It seems cruel to have to leave so much behind, but never mind. Now, Burne, are you strung up?"

"Yes, quite," was the reply.

"Ready, Yussuf?"

"Yes, excellency, and mind, once more, all are to follow me close under the walls. Not a word is to be spoken."

"But you will pause for a few minutes in the subterranean pa.s.sage,"

whispered the professor. "I must see that."

"You will have ample time, excellency. Now, Lawrence effendi, awaken your friends."

Lawrence drew a long breath, and stooping down, laid his hand upon Mr Chumley's shoulder.

"Don't!" was the gruff response.

"Mr Chumley, wake up. Hush! Don't speak."

"Eh, what? Time to get up. Why don't you pull aside the rug?"

"Hush, sir! Wake up."

"Eh, what? Is my wife ill?"

"No, no. Are you awake now?"

"Awake? Yes, of course; what is it?"

"We have a way open to escape. Wake your wife. Tell her not to speak."

"But she will. Oceans!" said the little man sadly.

"She must not speak. Wake her; tell her there is a way of escape, and then you two must carry these parcels of food, and follow in silence."

"I say, Lawrence, old man, is it real?" he whispered.

"Quite! Quick! You are wasting time."