There was something decidedly ominous and sinister in the behavior of
the coal-black giant and the silent, secretive Turk, who were whispering
there in the shadows. In spite of himself, Dick felt a sudden faint
chill, like an icy breath, sweep over him.
He stood quite still and regarded them steadily. They saw him, and their
whispering stopped. The eyes of the tattooed black man seemed to gleam
with a baleful fire, but his dark face remained as unchangeable as
marble.
Slowly a strange smile overspread the countenance of Achmet. With a
quick, silent step, he advanced toward the boy. He spoke in a low, soft
tone:
"So you are safely here, my lad? I see no harm has befallen you."
His English was almost perfect.
"What are you doing here?" demanded Dick. "This is not a place in which
one of your faith should choose to linger, with the City of the Faithful
so near. Indeed, I have been told that the better men of your religion
never deign to contaminate themselves by setting foot in this place,
which is polluted by the infidel. Your conduct is suspicious, to say the
least."
"It is seldom one who may not be well suspected is in such haste to
suspect another," retorted the Turk, still with that strange, faint
smile which was very annoying to the boy.
Indignation swelled within Dick's heart, for now he was fully satisfied
that they were being spied upon by this man.
"Look here," he said, "you'll get into trouble if you continue to follow
us about."
"Be careful that you do not get into far more serious trouble."
"There is no reason why we should get into trouble, for we have a way of
minding our own business."
"Then you are the first Americans I have seen who have that excellent
habit," retorted Achmet, in a manner that became more and more
insulting.
Had Dick not learned by example and practice to control his temper, he
might have lost his head. He kept cool, however--outwardly, at least.
"It is plain you have been spying on us," he said. "We caught you in our
stateroom on the steamer----"
"An accident."
"An accident, perhaps, that we caught you. It was no accident that you
were there. What's your game, man? You are up to some rascally
business."
"I like not your lack of politeness, boy. I am not the one to answer
questions. It is you who should explain, but I will talk with the man
whom you call professor."
"I don't know whether you will or not."
"I demand to see him."
"You will have to find him."
"Is he not in those rooms?"
"No."
"Let me see."
The manner of Achmet plainly denoted that he did not believe Dick.
"We have engaged those rooms and paid in advance for them," said
Merriwell, still holding himself in check. "We are entitled to privacy
in them, and we have no intention of admitting strange and suspicious
visitors, especially a Turk of your questionable behavior."
"You refuse me admittance?"
"Decidedly."
Aziz Achmet made a quick sign to the black giant. Instantly the Nubian
strode forward. Dick made a move to retreat, but the arm of the black
man darted out and one powerful hand seized the lad. Merriwell had not
overestimated the probable strength of the tattooed man, for, with
scarcely an effort, it seemed, the boy was lifted from his feet and
placed to one side.
Achmet quickly advanced to the door, flung it open, and entered the
room.
Brad Buckhart had caught the hum of voices outside and was crossing the
room to investigate when he found himself face to face with the Turk.
"Waugh!" exclaimed the Texan, in surprise.
"Pardon, boy," said Achmet, still maintaining his quiet manner and soft
speech. "I would speak with the professor."
"Is that so?" said Brad. "Well, whoever invited you to walk in all
unceremonious and chirklike? It strikes me that you are some forward in
your deportment. Where's my pard?"
"Here!" cried Dick, who had been released by the Nubian, and who now
hastened into the room. "This man forced an entrance. He has dogged us
here, Brad."
"Dogged is a proper word for it, I reckon!" grated the Texan, beginning
to bridle. "Forced his way in, did he? Well, I judge we'll just shoot
him out on his neck and teach him a bit of common decency!"
He proceeded to strip off his coat in a very businesslike manner.
"Hold!" commanded Achmet. "You will regret it, you infidel whelp, if you
place your vile hands on me!"
"Whoop!" roared the Westerner. "We'll sure see about that right away!
Come on, partner!"
But now the Nubian stalked into the room, apparently ready to take a
hand in the encounter, and Achmet called attention to him.
"This man alone," he declared, "is more than the equal of twenty boys.
He once slew a strong man with a single blow of his fist. If you lift a
finger against me he will rend you. Be careful!"
In spite of this warning Buckhart would have pitched in; but Dick had
better judgment and hastened to restrain his friend.
"The black man is dangerous, Brad," he said, in a low tone. "Unless we
use deadly weapons, he can master us alone. Besides that, we do not wish
to kick up an uproar unless forced to do so. Steady, old man!"
"Whoop!" cried Brad. "This business is making me sizzle a heap!"
"It is an outrage, and we'll enter a complaint."
"You bet your boots!"
"That is your privilege," smiled Achmet, in his half-sneering way. "When
I am through, you may complain as much as you like; but first bring
forth the professor, that I may question him. Why is he hiding?"
"Hiding? Do you think he would hide from you?" exclaimed Dick. "I tell
you he is not here. Look for yourself."
"And be right careful that none of our belongings stick to your
fingers," growled the Texan. "We've been robbed in various ways from
London all the way here; but this is the first time any one has tried
the game open and brazen, like this."
"You are not in the least danger of being robbed," assured the Turk. "I
invite you to watch me, in order that you may see you have no complaint
of that sort to make."
He then looked into the adjoining room, and the bath.
"Well, are you satisfied?" demanded Dick.
Achmet showed a trace of annoyance and disappointment. He stated that he
had been told by the Nubian that the professor was there, and further
that he was sure Zenas Gunn had not left the hotel since his arrival.
"Which makes it plain that he has played the spy on us right along,"
said Dick, addressing Brad, but not lowering his voice.
"Sure!" rasped Buckhart.
"I will wait for his return," said the Turk. "While I am waiting,
perhaps you will inform me what business has brought you to this
country."
"Our business is none of your business," declared Dick.
"Of that I will judge when I am satisfied that I have learned your
business."
"We are traveling."
"For what purpose?"
"To see the world."
"Two boys and an old man. In Italy your behavior was suspicious. You
disappeared from Naples in great haste, without explaining why you left
so suddenly or whither you went."
"Great tarantulas!" muttered Brad. "He's even got track of us as far
back as that."
"In Venice you were concerned in some singular and unaccountable things,
and in Greece you had dealings with lawless characters. Had you remained
in Athens, you must have explained your actions to officials of the city
government. You left there, also, in haste."
Dick wondered that the man should know so much of their movements.
"It seems," continued Achmet, "that in various places the police have
been warned against you; but that in each instance they sought to find
out about you only to find you suddenly departed."
"This certain is a plenty interesting!" gasped Buckhart. "What does it
mean, pard? Can you tell?"
Dick had been thinking swiftly. His hand fell on his friend's arm.
"Brad, it is the work of Bunol and Marsh, our bitter enemies. They were
sore because we fooled them by getting the Budthornes out of their
power. They have lost track of Dunbar Budthorne and his sister, Nadia,
but have managed somehow to keep trace of us, and have tried to cause us
as much annoyance as possible."
"I opine you're right, Dick," nodded Buckhart. "That's just it. I
wouldn't be surprised to see those two onery varmints turn up any time.
Well, they've succeeded in making a lot of fool work for a lot of fool
people, and this is the first time we've been touched by it."
Achmet had listened to their words with a manner of mingled interest and
doubt. It was plain that he did not understand, and he was on the point
of questioning them further when the sudden sound of excited and angry
voices reached their ears through the partly open doorway.
"The professor!" cried Dick. "Something is doing, Brad! Come on!"
"Lay the trail, pard! I'm at your heels!"
They rushed forth and ran toward the point from which came the sound of
those voices.
"You're a miserable, crawling worm! You're a whisky-soaked, dried-up,
offensive squid! You have annoyed the lady by your obnoxious attentions,
and they must cease!"
It was the voice of Zenas.
"Yo', suh, are a long-eared jackass, suh, and I demand satisfaction fo'
your insults, suh!"
"Major Fitts!" exclaimed Dick, in dismay.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen!" shrilled another voice. "This is scandalous! You
must not quarrel over me! It is shocking to my delicate sensibilities. I
cannot permit it!"
"And Sarah Ann, sure as shooting!" cried Brad.
At the head of the stairs were three persons. Zenas Gunn was shaking his
fist down at Major Fitts, while the major was shaking his fist up at the
professor. Miss Ketchum had her hands clasped in an attitude of despair,
while she implored them to desist.
Dick halted, folding his arms.
"Now what do you think of that?" he muttered, in disgust.
"It certain is some annoying," chuckled Buckhart, pausing with his hands
resting on his hips. "Shall we pitch in, pard, and break it up?"
"I'm tempted to let those two old fools have it out," said Merriwell.
"Good idea! Mebbe it will cure them both."
"Take your fist away!" snarled the professor, knocking the hand of the
little man aside.
"Don't yo' strike at me, suh!" panted the major, his face red as a
boiled lobster, and his gray mustache bristling.
"Strike at you!" retorted Zenas scornfully. "If I ever struck at you,
you human wart, there wouldn't be anything left of you but a grease
spot!"
"Oh, please, please stop!" sobbed Sarah Ann, trying to get hold of them
and force them apart.
"Yo' had better hide behind a lady's petticoat!" raged the man from
Mississippi.
"Hide behind nothing!" retorted Gunn, giving Miss Ketchum an embrace and
looking over one shoulder, while he reached over her other shoulder to
again shake his fist at Fitts. "She is trying to keep me from
annihilating you."
Finding herself in the professor's embrace, Miss Ketchum screamed and
seemed on the point of fainting.
"Oh, Moses!" laughed Buckhart. "Look at that, pard--just look!"
"I see," said Dick, also convulsed. "The professor isn't losing the
opportunity to hug Sarah Ann, and it makes the major bloodthirsty."
Fitts danced round in an endeavor to get hold of Gunn, but the latter
skillfully turned so that he kept Miss Ketchum's limp form between them.
"Unhand that lady!" rasped the man from Mississippi, fairly frothing.
"How dare yo' behave in such a manner!"
"Oh, go back to your kennel!" advised Zenas.
The major caught hold of Sarah Ann and managed to dance round until he
could get his hands on the professor.
"Release her!" he commanded.
Miss Ketchum straightened up a little.
"Such a shocking scandal!" she sobbed.
"Yo' have compromised her, suh!" panted Fitts. "Yo' shall pay the
penalty with your life, suh!"
"I've stood just as much of this as I can!" grated Zenas. "I'll just
throw you downstairs!"
Which he attempted to do, while Sarah Ann again tried to part them. On
the top stair both lost their balance. Wildly they grabbed at something
as they toppled. The right hand of Zenas caught Miss Ketchum. The left
hand of the major closed on her, also. Then all three toppled, a shriek
of terror escaped the woman, and down they went.
Bump, bump, bump-ety-bump!
Tangled in a most astonishing manner, the three seemed to bound like a
huge rubber ball from stair to stair. At intervals legs and arms shot
out from the mass and described half circles in the air. The woman
continued to scream, the professor yelled, while the major grunted and
gasped with every thump. It sounded as if the entire hotel was falling.
"Oh, say, pard, this is awful!" cried Buckhart, rushing toward the
stairs.
"I'm afraid the professor will be somewhat dented," said Dick, also
losing no time.
Thud! crash!
The trio landed at the bottom of the stairs.
Sarah Ann struck in a sitting posture, with her skirts outspread. She
was minus a wig and a full set of false teeth, and she presented a
ludicrous spectacle of wreck and despair. Both men were beneath her, and
having landed on them she did not seem to be seriously harmed.
Dick and Brad bounded down the stairs and reached her.
"Are you hurt, madam?" questioned Merriwell, his natural chivalry
causing him to express anxiety for her first.
She spoke, and strange were the mumbling sounds which issued from her
toothless mouth. "I've sost my seesh in thish dishgrashful affairsh,"
she answered. "Be sho kindsh to reshtorsh my seesh, pleash."
"Here madam," said Dick, picking up something, "are part of them."
"And here, madam," said Brad, also picking something up, "are the rest
of them."
She hastily slipped them into her mouth, while Mowbry Fitts began to
kick and shout.
"Let me get up!" he called, in a muffled voice.
"Be quiet," said Miss Ketchum, "until I have arranged my toilet."
Her head was almost entirely devoid of hair.
"Perhaps this may assist you," said Dick, discovering her wig and
handing it to her.
"Help!" called the husky voice of Professor Gunn. "I'm smothering! I
can't breathe!"
"You don't deserve to breathe," said Miss Ketchum, calmly adjusting the
wig. "You are two indecent creatures, and I am sure you have disgraced
me forever."
Major Fitts was becoming frantic.
"I'm dying!" he groaned.
"I'm dead!" came faintly from Professor Gunn.
By this time scores of guests had reached the spot and stood asking
questions. Others were coming. The whole house had been aroused.
"Dick," said Brad, "I do believe the professor is smothering! She's
sitting on his head, and his struggles are growing weaker."
"Lift her, Brad," said Merriwell.
They caught hold of her and stood her on her feet.
"Water!" gasped the professor.
"Whisky!" wheezed the major.
They lay on their backs, having managed to roll over, gasping for
breath.
Miss Ketchum looked down at them with an air of contempt.
"I hope," she said, "that the proprietor has you both locked up as
lunatics! You are the worst old fools I ever saw! So there!"
Then, declining assistance, she hurried up the stairs.