"Howard [Mr. Holton] and Tishmak and I were sure greatly relieved when our captors took us to the cave where Joe and Dr. Kirshner were being held," Mr. Lewis finished. "Funny, but we had not dreamed of them being prisoners." "And I see you've brought the rascals with you," observed Fekmah. "What are we going to do with them?" "I'm sure we've all been thinking about that," Dr. Kirshner returned. "There are no police so far south as this, and we can't very well take them with us back to Wargla. I wonder how it would be to take them to an oasis fifty miles or so from here and leave them? There would be no danger of them starving, because dates and water would furnish food. And they couldn't get away without camels." "Sounds all right," Mr. Holton said. "Do you know where there is such an oasis?" "No, but I'm sure our Tuareg friends do. I'll ask them in the morning. Until then we'll have to keep our eyes on these Arabs. It might be well to tie them up." This was thought good advice, and the captives were bound together so tightly that they could not escape. The remainder of that day passed idly, and the explorers retired shortly after the evening meal. "But we must be up early in the morning," Mr. Holton told them. "We have a big day before us." They all slept the sleep of exhaustion and did not awaken as early as they had intended. Breakfast over, Dr. Kirshner and Bob got on their camels and started for the Tuareg village. The others put in a request to go also, but the archæologist stoutly refused, saying that no time must be wasted. "We only want to make arrangements to take these Arab crooks to an oasis and leave them," he said. "If more of you go, it will necessarily keep us longer." It did not take the two long to get to the natives' village. The chieftain at once came out to meet the newcomers, and Bob introduced Dr. Kirshner to them. After a few casual remarks the scientist got to the point. He told the natives of his desire to banish the Arabs to an oasis, if any were near. He also asked if enough camels could be borrowed to take the crooks there. The chieftain at once replied that he knew of an oasis a half-day's journey from the village, and that he would gladly let them have the camels. "Fine!" Dr. Kirshner said in the native tongue. "We'll go there at once." The chieftain insisted upon leading them to the oasis, for, he said, they could not find it alone. Dr. Kirshner consented, and the head native at once herded enough camels to take the prisoners away. Then the Americans and the Tuareg chieftain started for the explorers' camp to get the Arabs. "Be glad when this job's over," remarked Bob, as they rode toward camp. "I'm anxious to see the hidden treasure." They arrived at camp and placed each Arab on a dromedary. After preparing a lunch to last them until they would return, Dr. Kirshner, Bob, and the Tuareg chieftain began the journey to the oasis, riding behind the prisoners and guarding them closely.