The curtains parted and the man who had answered John's summons at the door entered.
CHAPTER XXI
FINDING ORION TEVIS
"What's the matter?" exclaimed the slick individual.
"He's trying to rob me!" shouted the fakir.
"It's the other way around!" came from John. "I'm trying to get back something he stole from a friend of mine. Give up that card, you rascal, or I'll yell for the police!"
At the same time the Indian youth, who was strong for his age, gave the wrists of Punjab such a wrench that the man cried out in pain. Whether it was this, or the knowledge that he could not afford to have a clash with the officers of the law John never decided, but the professor muttered:
"I'll give you the card. Let go!"
"Want any help?" asked the sleek and shiny individual.
"Don't you interfere!" exclaimed John, "or I'll have you arrested too. Better keep out of this. The professor knows when he's beaten."