“Kind of him!”
“And, therefore, if Professor Gunn will apologize, he will overlook the insult and spare him.”
“I—I think I had better do it, Richard!” whispered Zenas.
“Mr. Achmet,” said Dick stiffly, “you will kindly inform Major Fitts that he has quite misunderstood the situation. Tell him that unless he immediately apologizes in the most humble manner Professor Gunn insists that the affair be carried through to the bitter end.”
“To the bitter end!” put in Buckhart. “That’s the stuff!”
The Turk bowed.
“Then there is nothing else to be done but to arrange the preliminaries. I will speak to the major a moment.”
As soon as Achmet’s back was turned the professor seized Dick and almost sobbed in his ear:
“Richard, Richard, why did you do it? My blood will be on your head!”
“Hush!” returned Dick. “Don’t you see the major is frightened worse than you are? Achmet has dragged him here, and he’s ready to take to his heels and run for his life.”