“But we shall not be caught!” cried the Professor. “Mark you, no one in Egypt suspects the existence of this treasure, so to take it will be robbing no one—not even the Khedive.”
“Doesn’t Abdul Hashim suspect it?” I inquired.
“Yes; perhaps I should make an exception of Abdul Hashim; but his information is at present confined to mere guessing, and he is too wily and covetous ever to tell his suspicions to a government official. What he wants is to get the treasure for himself, and the real battle, if we meet opposition, will be between Abdul Hashim and us. We ought to have killed him last night, when we had the chance; but unfortunately the dog made his escape.”
“He’s a dangerous enemy,” observed Ned Britton.
“Only to the unarmed and helpless,” quickly replied the Professor. “A half dozen Americans could defy his entire tribe. And it is possible we shall get a chance to kill him before he makes more trouble.”
“You speak of murder very easily,” said my father.
“It is not murder to kill an Arab,” protested the Professor. “They are but heathen men, wicked and cruel, and so numerous that a few of them sent to perdition will never be missed. The English here have no more hesitation in killing an Arab than in scotching a poisonous snake, and the authorities seldom inquire into the manner of his death. As long as the government remains in ignorance of my secret we are safe from interference, except through this wild and worthless tribe led by Abdul Hashim, and brave Americans have no cause to fear him. Moreover, there is the treasure itself to be considered. Is it not worth while to risk something to secure an immense fortune?”
“What proof have you,” asked Uncle Naboth, “of the existence of this treasure?”
Van Dorn hesitated a moment, then unbuttoned his vest and took from around his waist a leathern belt. This he laid carefully upon the table, and opening its folds drew out a number of brilliant rubies.
“Here is my proof,” said he, offering the gems for inspection. “They are a part of the treasure Lovelace took on that terrible night I have described to you.”