“You tried to ruin him! You got him into your power by drugging him. The drug you gave him made him the slave of drink, and you did not permit its effect to wear off. When it seemed about to wear off, you gave him more of the drug. Friendly interest! You were making him a drunkard!” “It is useless to argue with a girl. Women do not reason. What they believe they believe, without sense or judgment.” “I believe what I know. You had Dunbar in your grip, in London. Since then he has never been himself. His spirit is broken and his courage gone.” “Surely he lacks courage, else he would not have deserted you to-day. He ran away in the most cowardly manner when we appeared. It was our intention to take him along with you. I thought you would feel better about it if you had him for company.” Nadia felt a twinge of shame for her brother, who had displayed the white feather in the most pitiful manner. The account of the affair, as given by Budthorne to Merriwell and Buckhart, was true with the single exception of Dunbar’s statement that he had defended Nadia until struck down. This part of the story he had founded on Dick’s experience in defense of the girl in Damascus. His befuddled and unimaginable brain had been incapable of devising a different yarn. “No wonder he fears you, Miguel Bunol!” panted the girl. “He has every reason to fear you.” “That is no excuse for his cowardly conduct. No brave man ever deserts a lady in time of peril.” “Perhaps you think yourself competent to judge a brave man?” she sneered. “Perhaps you really believe yourself brave?” “I know what I am! but, with your brother concerned, I wish to make no unpleasant comparisons.” “How kind of you! You are such a gallant gentleman!” Her scorn was scorching, but he declined to be touched by it. Coolly he lighted a fresh cigarette. “Where is the master of this boat?” she suddenly demanded, half starting up. “I demand to see him!” “All in good time, my dear. You shall see him soon.” “Now! He must listen to me! He must explain his conduct! You have deceived him! You have lied to him! He cannot realize what he is doing!” “You are wholly mistaken, I assure you. Medjid Bey understands quite perfectly what he is doing.” “It is unlawful! It is a crime!” “He has learned of a certain crime that was lately committed in Damascus.” “You mean——” “I speak of the murder of Hafsa Pasha, a countryman of Medjid Bey.” “How does that concern me?” “You know you are concerned. In Damascus it is said an American adventuress ensnared Hafsa Pasha, and her friends killed him.” “Which is a wretched story to hide the truth that Hafsa Pasha brutally seized and imprisoned an American girl. The story is told to shield the Pasha in case the affair should be too closely investigated.”