“Boys, boys, boys!” again fluttered the old man. “Do be careful! Do be discreet! You’ll get us all into no end of trouble.”
By this time the two men had reached the spot, and the elder at once demanded in Greek the possession of the maiden.
“Although we’ve scanned that language under compulsion,” said Dick, “we are not prepared to talk it. If you will use plain United States, we may be able to chat with you.”
With an assumption of politeness, the man immediately begged their pardon in fairly good English, saying he had not thought in his excitement to address them in other than his own language.
“The girl,” he said; “I take her.”
“Wait a bit,” remonstrated Merriwell, declining to move. “As you can talk a modern language, we’ll discuss this matter. The girl seems frightened. What is all the trouble about?”
The elder man drew himself up haughtily, while the younger glowered on the boys.
“It is no bus’ness to you,” was the answer.
“Then I opine we’ll have to make it our business,” muttered Buckhart.
“But she is frightened, and she seeks our protection,” said Dick. “It is the habit of all decent Americans to protect women in distress.”