“Is it safe?”
“No, Max, far from it.”
“Then why not retrace our steps?”
“We have been seen and should be overtaken.”
“But could we not reach the men we feed so liberally?”
“We might, but they would help these fellows rather than us in order to share the backsheesh.”
While the two had been talking the Arabs had formed a circle round them, at a distance of fifty or sixty yards.
Gradually the circle diminished until the robbers closed in and stood shoulder to shoulder in firm and solid phalanx.
“What do you want?” asked Mr. Gordon.
“Money,” was the reply.