The threatened man hastily put up his hands, at the same time spluttering:
“Great Scott! You’re altogether too handy with your pistol! Put it up, Brad! Don’t you know me? I’m Budthorne!”
Nadia gave a start, straightened up a little, and stared at the speaker.
“Dunbar,” she gasped; “Dunbar, is it you?”
“Of course it is,” was the answer. “I wanted to see if my disguise was any good; but I didn’t care to have Buckhart jab a pistol at me so promptly.”
“Great horn spoon!” muttered the Texan, recognizing Budthorne’s voice and manner of speaking. “I sure was fooled all right. Say, you certain look an Allah worshiper to the life. If you ever get outside of the hotel in that rig, you’ll be all right.”
Assouan now appeared.
“We should lose no time,” he said. “Abraham is disguising the others. I must lead you to a place of safety and return for them. The mob is again trying to approach the hotel, and the soldiers do not seem strong enough to hold them back much longer.”
“It doesn’t seem right for us to go until all are ready,” said the girl. “I think we should not.”
Dick appeared now.