As he listened Brad Buckhart grew ashen. He realized that Dick and Nadia had become separated from the professor and Budthorne through their efforts to follow and overtake him. By running away in such a childish manner he had led them into all that trouble, the end of which had been the disappearance of the girl. “Fool! fool!” he groaned. “I am to blame for it all!” CHAPTER XIV—DICK DISOBEYS Late that day, as the grateful shadows of approaching night were settling over Damascus, Ras al Had came quietly to the hotel, and was highly satisfied to find Dick Merriwell there. He drew the boy aside, saying he wished to speak with him in private. “I have found one of the dogs who betrayed me,” said the old sheik. “Would you behold him? Would you hear what he has to say?” “Yes, yes.” “Do you trust me now?” “Of course I do!” “Do you trust me completely?” “Yes.” “Then tell your friends not to worry about you, even though you leave them and do not return with the passing of another day. If you ask questions now I shall know you do not trust me, even though you say so.” Dick asked no questions. Thus far everything possible had been done for Nadia. Her disappearance had been reported, and they had received the assurance that an earnest effort would be made to find her and return her in safety to her friends. Dick had made a formal complaint of the assault, and was informed that the whole matter should be investigated and the guilty parties punished. They all knew, however, that they were not liable to receive anything more than promises from the Turkish authorities. This being the case, they were compelled to rely mainly on the American consul and the promise of Ras al Had, the sheik. It is probable that Dick Merriwell was the only one who really placed any confidence in the old Arab. Brad Buckhart was immovable in his conviction that the sheik was concerned in the dastardly work. Knowing Brad would raise a disturbance, Dick told the professor that he might be gone for twenty-four hours. Immediately Zenas made an effort to exercise his authority over the boy. “You shall not go, Richard!” he exclaimed. “I forbid it!” “I am sorry you forbid it, professor, for you know I dislike to disobey you.” “Eh? Hum! haw! Why, why, you don’t mean to tell me to my face that you will defy me?” “No, sir; I do not defy you. Circumstances make it necessary for me to disobey you, and so——” “You shall not do it! I won’t have it! Your brother looks to me to bring you back safely to him, and I——” “Were my brother here he would approve of what I am doing.” “Well, what are you doing? Where are you going?” “I can’t tell you.” “Haw! hum! I positively decline to let you leave this hotel!” “I can’t help that. Look after Budthorne. He’s nearly distracted. Tell him to brace up. Somehow I have confidence that we’ll be able to find Nadia. You’ll have your hands full taking care of Brad.” “I need you to help me. The boy is crazy.”