But Jack could stand no more.
Bounding forward from his hiding-place, he seized the uplifted hand and wrenched the sword from his grasp.
Then, without a word, Jack struck the man with the flat of his sword upon the back of the head.
The Turk sank to the ground with a hollow groan.
It was all so momentary that the beautiful Circassian girl looked on as one in a dream.
Hearing footsteps now, Jack ran to the doorway and peered out.
"Quick!" exclaimed Jack. "Lend me a hand, or we are lost."
She could not understand his words, but his meaning was plain enough.
They pulled the body into the sack as quickly as possible.
Then they hastily tied the cord around the neck of it.