"But if it falls into the wrong hands, and is taken to the Old Man? He speaks English: he may read it too."
"What I write will only puzzle him."
"In any case, what's the good? Suppose Dick is there. How can he send an answer?"
"I've my notion about that, Bob. All depends on Hamid; but, as I said, he is no fool; he will do what we tell him, and take every care. I wish it were to-morrow!"
"What puzzles me is the Eye. What on earth can it be?"
"That beats me. Clearly it is harmless at times; Hamid didn't notice it. I think it's a kind of box, containing some destructive substance in a concentrated form. The Old Man evidently has some device for opening it without harm to himself. One thing is very clear."
"What's that?"
"Och, man, that the old wretch must be very human after all, or he couldn't have the stomach ache."
CHAPTER XV
THE MOLES