“Don’t worry about me,” bawled out Herc as the boys leaped forward to intercept the two beggars. They reached the revolvers just one jump ahead of the two rascals, and the next instant the Egyptians found themselves gazing into the barrels of two wicked looking pistols.
“Be good,” grinned Herc. “I’m very nervous, and if you make trouble my finger might crook by accident on purpose.”
“Do you men understand English?” demanded Ned.
One of them nodded sullenly.
“Then lead us out of here at once, or——” he flourished the pistol he held menacingly.
The man grunted and said something to his companion, who shrugged his shoulders. Then each with a Dreadnought Boy pressing a pistol to his back, the two sullen beggars marched off down a passage which they said would lead to the desert. They told the truth. Before long the lads and their guides emerged at the foot of the Pyramid and were met by a glare of dazzling sunlight.
“Help! Ouch, I’m struck blind!” cried Herc, as the glare greeted him.
“So am I. It is coming suddenly into the bright sunlight out of that dark hole.”
The boys blinked and winked, but everything was black for a time. Then when they opened their eyes they got a surprise. Taking advantage of their temporary blindness, the two beggars had slipped off.
“Well, let them go,” said Ned. “We haven’t got time to prosecute them anyhow. Let’s join our ship-mates.”