"Where can we hide?" asked the other, somewhat disappointed, and amazed at the further risks which his companion appeared willing to take in order to gratify an insatiable curiosity. "The tables may be quickly turned upon us."
"We can shoot them as a last resort, if that is necessary," urged Keane, who knew the priceless value of the secrets which this place contained.
"Hist! They are coming."
"This way!" whispered Keane, and he drew his companion into a little recess, which had evidently been curtained off for the mechanic's sleeping berth.
They had barely withdrawn themselves into this narrow apartment when the two men entered, dragging the carcase of the wild boar with them.
"Leave it there for a moment, Strauss. The message from the Rittmeister is due. I must also send him that other message again, as the first has not been acknowledged," were the professor's first words.
"Yes, sir. Shall I start the dynamos again?" asked the assistant.
"Perhaps you'd better, but first hand me that message book and the secret code."
The next moment the professor was busy at the wireless keys, transmitting some message to the far deserts of Arabia.
"By all the saints," gasped Keane, "he's sending a message to the raider, the Scorpion, as he calls it. I must have that secret code at all hazards. I wonder what he is saying?"