Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/101



HILE the quarantine formalities were being complied with Colonel Spottiswoode had waited inside the smoking-room door until, catching a few words of English, he looked out, glad to speak his own language with somebody. "Well, sergeant, you have a troublesome duty."

Danny tipped his helmet, "Beastly nuisance, sir Here, get along—you," he hurried a square-jawed Greek. The Colonel was about to ask a question when the Dutch doctor inside called a name resembling his own. He stepped to the table, held out his tongue, extended his pulse, opened his purse, paid six piasters for a health certificate, which he could not read, and stepped back—a simple transaction in one! two! three! After which he resumed his position, listening for Zack's name to be called.

Then he saw a scuffle outside; four Egyptian soldiers were dragging a man along the narrow deck,—a white man, a pallid-looking Russian with tall round Astrachan hat. The man's face 87