“Rage and growl!” laughed the Spaniard. “Little good it will do you! You are like the wolf that snaps with its teeth at the steel trap into which it has stepped. I heard you talking, but it told me nothing new. I will tell you something. You have made the right guess about the soldiers. They are guarding this house in order that you may not escape until the Pasha causes your arrest. That will not be long. The proper officers will come very soon. Then I shall point you out to them. Once you have been arrested for that crime no power on earth can save you from being beheaded. How like you the prospect, my insolent American friends?” “So you propose to help the Turks in taking us?” questioned Dick. “I shall help them by pointing you out. In return, I hope I may secure the privilege of being present when you are beheaded. It will give me great joy to stand near and watch the executioner shave off your heads. Ha, ha, ha!” Buckhart’s strong fingers closed in an intense grip that made his fists like two knobby iron balls. “Mebbe you won’t be in condition to do any talking when the officers come,” muttered the Texan. “Oh, I am watching you,” declared Bunol. “I have a pistol ready for use. If you force me, no hesitation will I have in using it.” “Why did you come here?” asked Dick. “Why didn’t you hasten to send information to the governor?” “Because that was not necessary, and I came here to enjoy the pleasure of witnessing your disturbance in the face of certain death.” “You came to gloat over us?” “Have it so, if it pleases you. Why shouldn’t I? Many times you have gloated over me.” “Never! Never yet have I gloated over a fallen enemy.” “But you have been triumphant, and I have suffered defeat.” “Which you deserved, for you are a scheming snake in the grass!” “You say so, but you are not my judge. Many times have you brought disgrace and shame upon me, until I have come to hate you with a burning hatred. But for you, Nadia Budthorne would now be my wife.” “And such a fate would be more terrible than death for any refined girl. When the officers come, you will denounce her if you denounce us. You cannot help it, for it is said that a girl was concerned in the affair that ended with the death of Hafsa Pasha. Are you wretch enough to send Nadia to her death?” Bunol shrugged his shoulders. “Perhaps if she were to swear to marry me——” “Which she’ll never do, you dog!” panted Buckhart. “Oh, is it you who think you will secure her, you uncouth creature from a land of savages!” cried Bunol. “Bah! It’s a pity you cannot see yourself as you are, hulking, awkward, dull-faced, slow-witted, unpolished, swaggering, conceited—a worthy product of that raw portion of your miserable country called the West. You Americans of the East are more than enough bad; but those who come from the West are sickening to one of culture and refinement.” Buckhart took a step toward the insulting speaker, but Bunol whipped out a pistol.