“I’ve heard more than that,” declared the first speaker. “I understand that the real cause of all this trouble is an American girl, stopping here. She must be an adventuress, for they say she got gay with the Pasha who was murdered, and decoyed him to the place where he was assassinated. I’ve seen the girl, too.” “You have?” “Yes. She’s here in company with her brother. Has been here several days. Day before yesterday two boys and an old man joined them.” “Oh, I’ve noticed that party. And they say this girl caused all the trouble?” “Yes. Some of the rest of the party were concerned in the murder of the Pasha. The crowd outside is demanding that this girl and her friends be given up. If the proprietor will surrender them it is possible the rest of us may escape with our lives.” “Then we had better unite in urging him to give that party up. It’s a case of self-preservation, and——” “I favor it myself.” Dick had slipped quietly down the stairs, and now he suddenly confronted the two men. His face was pale, but his dark eyes flashed. “I have a few words to say to you,” he said, his voice low but clear and steady. “I don’t know where you hail from, but I do know that you are two of the most contemptible cowards it has ever been my bad fortune to chance upon. No one but cowards would think of surrendering an innocent and helpless girl into the hands of a maddened and murderous mob, like the one outside this hotel.” Having expressed himself in this manner, the fearless American lad stood squarely facing them both. There was a hush. Outside the mob was heard muttering sullenly. The two men gazed at Dick in surprise. One was a tall man, the other decidedly below medium height. “Why—why——” gasped the short man, and then choked, as if unable to find further words. The tall man shook himself together. “Look here, you insolent young puppy,” he exclaimed, “how dare you come here and use such language to us?” “Yes,” put in the short man, with an attempt at bluster, “how dare you?” “I do not think there is much to fear from two men who would deliberately talk of surrendering an innocent girl into the hands of a murderous mob,” retorted Merriwell. “Innocent girl!” sneered the tall man. “Yes, innocent! Be careful, sir! I’m only a boy, but I know the girl, and another insulting slur from your lips will be resented in a manner you will not like.” Both men were astonished. “Why, I believe he would tackle us both!” muttered the short man. “You know the girl, do you?” said the tall one, overlooking Dick’s threat, as if he did not consider it worth noticing further. “And you claim she is innocent?” “I happen to know.” “Didn’t she decoy the Pasha to the house where he was murdered?” Dick’s lips curled. “Instead of that, sir, she was seized while walking on the street, her escort assaulted and knocked down, and the ruffians imprisoned her in a house. Where were you yesterday that you heard nothing of this?”