"I"m not sure. I would feel easier if I knew that was the real reason why no one will be permitted to leave."
"Then you have an idea that there may be another reason?"
"I have."
"I don"t opine I just understand."
"I"m afraid we are prisoners here, held until agents of the governor can make an investigation and find out who was present last night, when Hafsa Pasha met his end."
The Texan sprang up and stood in an att.i.tude of mingled surprise and consternation.
"Great tarantulas!" he exclaimed. "There may be something in that!"
d.i.c.k nodded.
"There may be," he said. "If there is--"
"You and I may be arrested and thrown into prison any time."
"Nadia, also."
"Thunder! d.i.c.k, I"m afraid you"ve hit the truth. What will happen if you are right?"
"We"ll find ourselves in a very nasty sc.r.a.pe; but it will be hardest on Nadia. Think of the poor girl thrown into--"
"I can"t think of it! I decline! Pard, we must find a way to get her out of this sc.r.a.pe. If the governor really sends officers here to investigate, we"ll be pointed out, and then it will be too late. What can we do?"
"We seem to be caught like rats in a trap," admitted d.i.c.k.
A low laugh sounded outside the door, which was pushed open, and into the room softly stepped the dark stranger who had spoken with the tall man and the short man in the hall below.
"Yes, d.i.c.k Merriwell," this fellow said, with malignant satisfaction, "you are caught, and there is no way for you to escape. When the officers come I shall take great pleasure in pointing you out to them.
The time of my revenge and triumph has come at last."
"Miguel Bunol!" cried d.i.c.k, in astonishment.
It was, in truth, the young Spaniard who had once attended school at Fardale-the fellow who had caused the Budthornes so much trouble in England and Scotland.
Since leaving Italy Dunbar and his sister had taken precautions to throw Bunol off their trail, in case the venomous rascal persisted in seeking to follow them. Their success had led them to believe they would see no more of him.
But in some manner Bunol had traced them to Damascus and overtaken them there.
d.i.c.k"s eyes glittered as they fell on the fellow, while every muscle in Buckhart"s body seemed to become taut, and the Texan crouched a little, like a person ready to make a leap.
Bunol closed the door and placed his back against it, facing the two boys he hated. He stood there, surveying them insolently, deep satisfaction in his face and bearing. His manner seemed to say: "I am master of the situation at last, and now I propose to crush you."
"Woof!" finally burst from Buckhart, like the snort of a startled wild beast. "It sure is that same onery coyote, partner!"
"It would be well for you if you restrained your tongues and called no hard names," said Bunol.
"The varmint is plenty bold, d.i.c.k," said Brad.
Merriwell recovered command of himself, and he seemed quite calm and undisturbed, although inwardly a tempest was raging.
"So you have followed us here, Mig Bunol?" he said.
"As you see," retorted the Spaniard, "I am here. You thought yourselves very clever, but you could not fool me for long."
"We certain fooled you a plenty for a while," muttered Buckhart.
"What do you think you can accomplish by chasing us round the world?"
questioned d.i.c.k. "Thus far you have met with nothing but failure."
"My time of triumph has now come. Up to this day fortune has favored you. Now it has turned against you."
Bunol showed his white teeth in a pantherish grin, that caused the sharp ends of his tiny, pointed mustache to curl upward more than usual.
"Do you think so?"
"I know it."
"How do you know it?"
"You are in a trap from which there is no escape."
"You mean--"
"You were concerned in the murder of Hafsa Pasha."
"We were not!"
"You were present when he was killed, and that is enough. Oh, I knew it before I stood outside this door and listened to your talk just now."
"Eavesdropper!" snarled Buckhart.
"Rage and growl!" laughed the Spaniard. "Little good it will do you! You are like the wolf that snaps with its teeth at the steel trap into which it has stepped. I heard you talking, but it told me nothing new. I will tell you something. You have made the right guess about the soldiers.
They are guarding this house in order that you may not escape until the Pasha causes your arrest. That will not be long. The proper officers will come very soon. Then I shall point you out to them. Once you have been arrested for that crime no power on earth can save you from being beheaded. How like you the prospect, my insolent American friends?"
"So you propose to help the Turks in taking us?" questioned d.i.c.k.
"I shall help them by pointing you out. In return, I hope I may secure the privilege of being present when you are beheaded. It will give me great joy to stand near and watch the executioner shave off your heads.
Ha, ha, ha!"
Buckhart"s strong fingers closed in an intense grip that made his fists like two k.n.o.bby iron b.a.l.l.s.
"Mebbe you won"t be in condition to do any talking when the officers come," muttered the Texan.
"Oh, I am watching you," declared Bunol. "I have a pistol ready for use.