The travelers began to leave the train, but they were chiefly Arabs, for with the exception of beautiful palms and acacia groves El-Fasher has nothing worth seeing. The children had not come.
“Either Chamis did not catch the train at El-Wasta,” said Mr. Tarkowski, slightly annoyed, “or he may have overslept and so took the night train, and they may arrive to-morrow.”
“That may be,” answered Mr. Rawlison, much worried, “but perhaps one of them is ill.”
“If this were so Stasch would have wired.”
“Who knows, perhaps we may find a telegram awaiting us at the hotel.”
“Let us go and see.”
But in the hotel there was no news for them. Mr. Rawlison became even more uneasy.
“Do you know what also might have happened?” said Mr. Tarkowski. “If, for instance, Chamis overslept, he would not have told the children; he would merely go to them to-day and tell them that they are to travel to-morrow. He will excuse himself to us by saying that he did not understand our orders. Anyway, I will wire to Stasch.”
“And I to the moodir of Fayoum.”
Soon afterward two telegrams were sent off. As yet there was no occasion to be alarmed, but while awaiting a reply the engineers passed a bad night. They were up again early in the morning.