“But,” questioned Bob, thoroughly puzzled, “what is he doing here in Algiers?”
“It all goes back to Dr. Kirshner’s conversation with him on the ship,” Mr. Holton explained. “You see, Tom”—referring to the archæologist—“met him on the last day of the voyage and recognized him to be a very intellectual man. As soon as Fekmah found that he could trust Kirshner, he confided this secret about the hidden riches. Well, then, when he found that we would accept his proposition and make it one of the objects of the expedition to search for this treasure, Fekmah put up at a hotel in Algiers in order to accompany us into the Sahara. See?”
“Sure. I don’t know now why I didn’t before.”
They were now among the lights of Algiers, and Joe headed straight for the business section, where the car was to be returned to the garage.
They reached the place in a short time and left the automobile. Then they hurried around to their hotel.
When they came to their room, they found Dr. Kirshner and Fekmah in earnest conversation. When the two heard their friends in the hall, they arose, wreathed in smiles.
“We have good news for you,” announced Dr. Kirshner joyously. “The train is leaving for Wargla in the morning.”