[CHAPTER XII.]
MATT LAYS HIS PLANS.
On the way through the woods and back to the road by the car track, Motor Matt was extremely thoughtful.
By Ben Ali's cleverness in getting some white man to represent the agent of the British ambassador, the Hindoo had succeeded in luring his niece from the home of the English woman in whose care the girl had been left.
Once this was accomplished, it was easy to guess how the artful Hindoo had proceeded. Miss Manners had been a hypnotic subject for so long that it was useless for her to attempt to fight against the black magic of her rascally uncle. He had but to catch her eye and snap his fingers, and the girl would be utterly in his power.
To fight such a man as Ben Ali called for ways and means at once bold and wary. He was not to be easily snared.
"You're as mum as an oyster," grunted Burton, as they neared the road. "I've spoken to you half a dozen times, and you didn't seem to hear me. Come back to earth now, and tell me what's on your mind?"
"I'll tell you later, Burton," laughed Matt. "I've got a hard problem to solve, and I don't want to say anything about it until it's all worked out."
"From what you said at that house with the green shutters, I take it you're not going back to the show with me?"