“Come, Archie,” said I, cheerily, “let’s go and see about unloading your boxes.”
“Stay!” cried Van Dorn, suddenly. “What do you people demand?”
“We? Oh, sir, we make no demands at all. Your proposition was, as you doubtless well knew, one it would be impossible for us to accept. But we shall keep your secret, never fear, and the best proof is that we are off for America. You are at liberty to go ashore and negotiate with others.”
“And be murdered by Abdul Hashim,” he added, bitterly.
“Ah; that is your affair,” I replied, indifferently.
I went on deck with Archie and directed the men in getting the Ackley cases hoisted from the hold and swung aboard a small lighter, which landed them safely on the quay. I intended to send the boy’s two big telescopes with the goods, but Archie objected.
“Wait a bit,” he whispered to me, soberly. “I haven’t yet decided to go ashore.”
“Not to deliver your father’s goods to the merchants at Luxor?” I asked, with a smile.
“No. See here, Sam; I’m in on this deal,” he announced, earnestly. “If you fellows go fortune-hunting you must take me along.”
“Oh, you want a share, do you?” I said, sarcastically.