“Sure, I will,” responded Don, and went off at once.
The dahabiyeh of Zeta Phalos was perhaps a quarter of a mile away moored to a wharf. Don had already visited it that morning, and had no trouble in reaching it. The native watchman, Ismillah, greeted him with a smile that showed all his gleaming teeth and helped Don look for the revolver, that had slipped behind one of the cushions.
With a word of thanks, Don turned to go back. As in most ports, the district along the waterfront was low and disreputable. The streets were narrow and ill-lighted.
As Don was passing along one of the darkest of the streets, two men stepped out from an alley and confronted him.
Don’s heart gave a sudden bound as he recognized them.
They were Tezra and Nepahak!
CHAPTER XI
A Dash for Liberty
That the rascals had been waiting for Don was evident from the fact that they showed no surprise at the meeting. On the contrary, there was a look of evil determination on their faces that betrayed a deliberate plan. It was evident that they had been lurking about the Phalos villa, had seen the boy depart, noted his route and planned to waylay him on his return.
“So here you are,” snarled Tezra, thrusting his face close to Don’s.
“Don’t seem to be anywhere else, do I?” answered Don, with an airiness that he was far from feeling.