Mounted on one of the many camels were Dick Merriwell and Brad Buckhart, minus their disguises and wearing their own clothes. Professor Gunn was swaying and rocking miserably on the back of another camel, his companion being one of the Syrians. Brad Buckhart looked no less disconsolate than the professor, while the expression on Dick Merriwell’s face was not one of absolute satisfaction and contentment. Brad was grumbling. “Pard, I sure am a heap sore.” “So am I,” admitted Dick. “Camel riding isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. It is enough to make any one sore.” “I didn’t mean that I was sore in that way.” “Didn’t you?” “No. I’m thinking that we were fooled a plenty.” “How do you mean?” “By that old black wretch, Assouan.” “Go on.” “Haven’t you thought the same thing?” “Perhaps so; but go ahead and tell me just what you have thought.” “Why, you know how Assouan met us at the city’s gate just as we were escaping from Damascus.” “I know.” “He told us he had hustled Nadia and Budthorne out of the town and sent them off on fleet horses, guided by Gumar, to join Ras al Had’s train.” “Correct.” “And having but one good horse, which he was riding, he could not provide for us and help us overtake them.” “So he said.” “Having given us that game of talk, he induced us to follow him and got us into this merchant train, bound for Akka and the coast.” “Which seems lucky for us——” “Then,” cut in the Texan. “Now——” “Well, at least, we escaped being seized and beheaded. It is plain Assouan kept his promise when he said he would try to put the Turks on a false scent, and so give us a chance for our lives.” Brad shook his head. “Mebbe he did. Anyhow, he didn’t tell these people who we were, and you happened to have money enough on you to induce the old rascal at the head of the train to take us along. He knew there was trouble in Damascus, and that foreigners were in danger, but he didn’t know the full truth. Had he, I opine he would have dodged us a heap. I judge he’s getting some suspicious of us now, and he wishes he hadn’t bothered any with us, for all of the money.” “He did act queerly last night,” admitted Dick. “He tried to question me. I think he has been talking with the professor and the professor has talked too much. But, then, we are now some distance from Damascus.” “All the same, Dick, you know we won’t be safe until we get out of this infernal country. But I don’t propose to leave until I know what has become of Nadia.” “Assouan promised to bring us together.” “And I am beginning to believe he lied!” “What?” “I’m afraid the black rascal fooled us.” “Why should he?” “Why shouldn’t he? They’re none of them to be trusted. Nadia is a beautiful girl.” “Well?” “In this country very beautiful girls are worth as much as five thousand dollars each.” Dick was startled. “Oh, you’re wrong, Brad, in thinking Assouan would play such a trick! He wouldn’t dare.” “Why not?” “Ras al Had is his master——”