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she made frequent visits to the ship's small library.
    Christina attracted three young gentlemen admirers early in the voyage who did their best to monopolize her time.
    One was an American. His name was William Dawson, and he was a nice young man with soft gray eyes and dark brown hair. His face was lean and rugged, and his voice was very deep, with the strangest accent. Christina could sit and listen to him for hours as he told her exciting tales of the wild western frontier.
    Though she liked Mr. Dawson, Christina wasn't interested romantically in any of her three beaux. She had decided that most men were alike; they only wanted one thing from a woman. None seemed willing to respect her as an equal.
    The days rolled slowly by without incident. Christina could hardly believe it when they finally reached Egypt The weather had turned much hotter as they moved south, and she was grateful for the summer clothes she had brought. John had sent for the rest of their clothes, but the trunks wouldn't arrive until next month.
    Their ship docked in Alexandria the following morning. Christina couldn't wait to put her feet on solid earth again, but the dock was so crowded with Egyptians that disembarking passengers had to fight their way through the crowded mass.
    John and Christina were standing on deck with their luggage when Mrs. Bigley came up and took Christina's hand. "My dear, do you remember when we discussed your brother's orders at the beginning of our voyage? Well, it has puzzled me ever since. My husband, Colonel Bigley, will be meeting me here, and it will be the first thing I ask him. If anyone knows why your brother was sent here early, my husband does. If you care to stay with me until I locate him, then you can learn the answer, too."
    "Yes, of course," said Christina. "I'm dying to know, and I'm sure John is, too."
    Mrs. Bigley waved to a portly gentleman in his late forties who must be her husband, the colonel. They walked down the gangplank toward him, and he met them on the dock. He embraced his wife and kissed her full on the lips.
    "Godawful lonely here without you, love," the colonel said, holding his wife closely.
    "I've missed you, too, love. I would like you to meet Lieutenant John Wakefield and his sister, Christina Wake-field." She looked to her husband. "Colonel Bigley."
    John and the colonel saluted each other. "What on earth are you doing here a month early, Lieutenant? The replacements aren't expected to arrive until next month," Colonel Bigley said.
    John said, "I was hoping you could answer that question for me, sir."
    "What? You mean to tell me you don't know why you're here? Do you have your orders with you?"
    "Yes, sir." John pulled his orders from the inside of his coat and handed them to the colonel.
    After Colonel Bigley read the orders, he looked at John with a puzzled expression on his sunburned face. "Sorry, son, but I can't help you. All I can tell you is, we didn't send for you. Do you have any enemies in England who might have wanted you out of the country?"
    John looked shocked. "I hadn't thought of that, sir. I have no enemies I know of."
    "This is most unusual, but now that you're here, you must join us for some refreshment," Colonel Bigley said, drawing his wife's arm through his. "The train for Cairo doesn't leave for another two hours."
    Colonel Bigley led the way through the crowd to a small caf6. They had a leisurely lunch in an open patio, and then left for the station.
    William Dawson was there to say good-bye to Christina. He would call on her when he came to Cairo in a week's time, he said, and asked her not to promise all her time to other swains.
    The train ride was hot and uncomfortable. It amused Christina that, with all the trains in England, she had had to come halfway across the world to ride on one. She much preferred the cool comfort of a coach, however, though it was a bit bumpy at times.
    Mrs. Bigley and Christina shared a seat in the overcrowded salon. "I've heard