Buckhart made a great leap and seized the fellow.
“For Heaven’s sake, Budthorne, what has happened?” he hoarsely demanded.
“Nadia!” gasped the agitated young man, seeming barely able to utter the word.
“Nadia!” grated Brad. “Something has happened to her? Speak, man!”
“We were walking——”
“Go on!”
“Suddenly several men sprang out on us. They tried to seize Nadia. I—I did my best. I sought to protect her. One fellow snatched her from me. Another hit me on the head and knocked me down. But I saw the one who seized her—saw him face to face! I knew him. It was Miguel Bunol!”
Brad fell back as if struck in the face. Dick uttered an exclamation of incredulity.
“You’re crazy, Budthorne!” he palpitated. “Your eyes deceived you! Bunol cannot be here, for the Bedouins carried him away to sell him into slavery in Arabia.”
“I don’t care about that,” declared Budthorne, positively; “Bunol was with those men who attacked us—he seized Nadia. I know him! I cannot be deceived!”