Dick asked no questions.
Thus far everything possible had been done for Nadia. Her disappearance had been reported, and they had received the assurance that an earnest effort would be made to find her and return her in safety to her friends. Dick had made a formal complaint of the assault, and was informed that the whole matter should be investigated and the guilty parties punished.
They all knew, however, that they were not liable to receive anything more than promises from the Turkish authorities. This being the case, they were compelled to rely mainly on the American consul and the promise of Ras al Had, the sheik.
It is probable that Dick Merriwell was the only one who really placed any confidence in the old Arab.
Brad Buckhart was immovable in his conviction that the sheik was concerned in the dastardly work.
Knowing Brad would raise a disturbance, Dick told the professor that he might be gone for twenty-four hours. Immediately Zenas made an effort to exercise his authority over the boy.
“You shall not go, Richard!” he exclaimed. “I forbid it!”
“I am sorry you forbid it, professor, for you know I dislike to disobey you.”
“Eh? Hum! haw! Why, why, you don’t mean to tell me to my face that you will defy me?”
“No, sir; I do not defy you. Circumstances make it necessary for me to disobey you, and so——”