about midday
Frank knew the wisdom there was in these words , and he resigned himself to his fate , accompanying his companions to the hotel coffee-room to take their places at the table set apart for them , to become for the time being a mere group of the many , for the place was full of visitors staying , and others making a temporary sojourn before continuing their steamer 's route , these to India or China , those back to Europe ; while other tables were occupied by officers awaiting their orders to go up country , or go on making preparations for the advance of the troops already there , and further arrangements for those coming out by the great transports expected ; for it was the common talk now that before long a large force was to march against the Mahdi 's successor , and Gordon was to be at last avenged . The people at the hotel were too much occupied with their own affairs to pay much heed to three ordinary visitors and their servant . It was rumoured that one of them was a famous Egyptologist , but plenty of scientists came and went in this city of change , so that in a few hours Frank 's anxiety as to the risk of their expedition being stopped , died out , and the visits of the Sheikh excited no more notice than those of a dragoman or letter of boats and donkeys who waited upon the tourists and arranged to take them to the pyramids , the river , or other objects of interest within easy reach . When Ibrahim appeared again about midday , he inquired anxiously about the amount of baggage the party intended to take , and seemed pleased with the narrow compass into which , under the professor 's superintendence , it was to be condensed . He then had a long discussion with the doctor , and when this was over it was announced that the Arab was going to be busy in the bazaar for the rest of the day , and that in the evening he would be at the door of the hotel with four camels and attendants to take the baggage that was ready , the rest being placed in the care of the manager ready for them upon their return from an expedition with the Sheikh . `` That 's prompt , '' said the professor . `` Are you satisfied , Frank ? ''