The strange girl stuffed her handkerchief into her mouth and laughed until her face was fairly purple. Her whole body shook with merriment.
Nadia’s bewilderment increased.
“I don’t know why you laugh. It’s a fearful thing to be imprisoned in a harem. Hafsa Pasha has bought you, and you must submit to him. You must be a faithful wife, imprisoned within a harem.”
“Oh, a fine old wife I’ll make!” chuckled the other. “Oh, dear! It’s a mighty dangerous lark, but it’s awful funny, just the same.”
Suddenly Nadia clutched her companion’s shoulder.
“Tell me who you are!” she commanded.
“All right. Keep your nerve. Don’t utter a sound. Are you ready?”
Nadia nodded.
“I am Dick Merriwell.”
The girl almost fainted.