“I know it, effendi,” was the assurance. “Trust me.”
“I—I’m very glad you do!” breathed Zenas. “I think we will return at once.”
But Dick urged that they should go on a little farther, as Bayazid was thoroughly familiar with the place and there was no danger that they would become lost.
Brad always stuck by Dick, and the two overruled the old pedagogue.
Therefore Bayazid paddled slowly on. Had they seen his face they might have become suspicious and alarmed, but the shadows hid the crafty and treacherous look his countenance wore.
Finally they paused again, amid the labyrinth of pillars. Without the guide, not one of them could have told which course to follow in order to return to the point from which they started.
Suddenly Bayazid uttered an exclamation and stood up in the boat, staring into the darkness beyond his passengers.
Involuntarily the trio turned their heads to look, wondering what it could be that the guide saw.
Barely were their heads turned in that manner when the treacherous guide snatched the torch from its socket and plunged it into the water. There was a hissing sound and instant darkness.