“We seem to have come to Shangore at an opportune moment,” remarked the detective.
“You have. So I promise that if you die, you shall at least die fighting. If you live, and I also, then you may take your toll of the treasures of the temple. Those treasures are enormous, for the Bolongus are a wealthy people.”
“That listens good!” commented Patsy.
“We are lucky, I should say,” added Chick, delighted at the prospect of a big fight, with prize money as a pleasant incidental.
“Speak on, Lord Slava,” requested Nick Carter. “You have done much for us already. For that we owe you thanks—not in words, but in deeds. As for the treasure, we are not thinking of that.”
“Speak for yourself, chief?” murmured Patsy, and this time he spoke so low that not even Nick Carter overheard.
“We will help you with this stroke of yours, Lord Slava,” declared Nick. “If it gives us a chance to get even with that rascally Calaman, so much the better.”
CHAPTER VI.
ARMED FOR THE RUSH.
“It is against Calaman that our stroke will be directed,” declared Lord Slava sternly. “He and his followers. I will tell you in brief why we hate him.”