A low laugh sounded outside the door, which was pushed open, and into the room softly stepped the dark stranger who had spoken with the tall man and the short man in the hall below. “Yes, Dick Merriwell,” this fellow said, with malignant satisfaction, “you are caught, and there is no way for you to escape. When the officers come I shall take great pleasure in pointing you out to them. The time of my revenge and triumph has come at last.” “Miguel Bunol!” cried Dick, in astonishment. It was, in truth, the young Spaniard who had once attended school at Fardale—the fellow who had caused the Budthornes so much trouble in England and Scotland. Since leaving Italy Dunbar and his sister had taken precautions to throw Bunol off their trail, in case the venomous rascal persisted in seeking to follow them. Their success had led them to believe they would see no more of him. But in some manner Bunol had traced them to Damascus and overtaken them there. Dick’s eyes glittered as they fell on the fellow, while every muscle in Buckhart’s body seemed to become taut, and the Texan crouched a little, like a person ready to make a leap. Bunol closed the door and placed his back against it, facing the two boys he hated. He stood there, surveying them insolently, deep satisfaction in his face and bearing. His manner seemed to say: “I am master of the situation at last, and now I propose to crush you.” “Woof!” finally burst from Buckhart, like the snort of a startled wild beast. “It sure is that same onery coyote, partner!” “It would be well for you if you restrained your tongues and called no hard names,” said Bunol. “The varmint is plenty bold, Dick,” said Brad. Merriwell recovered command of himself, and he seemed quite calm and undisturbed, although inwardly a tempest was raging. “So you have followed us here, Mig Bunol?” he said. “As you see,” retorted the Spaniard, “I am here. You thought yourselves very clever, but you could not fool me for long.” “We certain fooled you a plenty for a while,” muttered Buckhart. “What do you think you can accomplish by chasing us round the world?” questioned Dick. “Thus far you have met with nothing but failure.” “My time of triumph has now come. Up to this day fortune has favored you. Now it has turned against you.” Bunol showed his white teeth in a pantherish grin, that caused the sharp ends of his tiny, pointed mustache to curl upward more than usual. “Do you think so?” “I know it.” “How do you know it?” “You are in a trap from which there is no escape.” “You mean——” “You were concerned in the murder of Hafsa Pasha.” “We were not!” “You were present when he was killed, and that is enough. Oh, I knew it before I stood outside this door and listened to your talk just now.” “Eavesdropper!” snarled Buckhart.