Dick Merriwell's Pranks Part 4

"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 d.i.c.k.

"We have engaged those rooms and paid in advance for them," said Merriwell, still holding himself in check. "We are ent.i.tled 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. d.i.c.k 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 d.i.c.k, 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 d.i.c.k 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 d.i.c.k. "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," a.s.sured 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 d.i.c.k.

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 d.i.c.k, 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 d.i.c.k.

"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."

d.i.c.k 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?"

d.i.c.k 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."