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CHAPTER III – THE PERSISTENCE OF ACHMET
There was something decidedly ominous and sinister in the behavior of the coal-black giant and the silent, secretive Turk, who were whispering there in the shadows. In spite of himself, Dick felt a sudden faint chill, like an icy breath, sweep over him.
He stood quite still and regarded them steadily. They saw him, and their whispering stopped. The eyes of the tattooed black man seemed to gleam with a baleful fire, but his dark face remained as unchangeable as marble.
Slowly a strange smile overspread the countenance of Achmet. With a quick, silent step, he advanced toward the boy. He spoke in a low, soft tone:
“So you are safely here, my lad? I see no harm has befallen you.”
His English was almost perfect.
“What are you doing here?” demanded Dick. “This is not a place in which one of your faith should choose to linger, with the City of the Faithful so near. Indeed, I have been told that the better men of your religion never deign to contaminate themselves by setting foot in this place, which is polluted by the infidel. Your conduct is suspicious, to say the least.”
“It is seldom one who may not be well suspected is in such haste to suspect another,” retorted the Turk, still with that strange, faint smile which was very annoying to the boy.
Indignation swelled within Dick’s heart, for now he was fully satisfied that they were being spied upon by this man.
“Look here,” he said, “you’ll get into trouble if you continue to follow us about.”
“Be careful that you do not get into far more serious trouble.”
“There is no reason why we should get into trouble, for we have a way of minding our own business.”
“Then you are the first Americans I have seen who have that excellent habit,” retorted Achmet, in a manner that became more and more insulting.
Had Dick not learned by example and practice to control his temper, he might have lost his head. He kept cool, however – outwardly, at least.
“It is plain you have been spying on us,” he said. “We caught you in our stateroom on the steamer – ”
“An accident.”
“An accident, perhaps, that we caught you. It was no accident that you were there. What’s your game, man? You are up to some rascally business.”
“I like not your lack of politeness, boy. I am not the one to answer questions. It is you who should explain, but I will talk with the man whom you call professor.”
“I don’t know whether you will or not.”
“I demand to see him.”
“You will have to find him.”
“Is he not in those rooms?”
“No.”
“Let me see.”
The manner of Achmet plainly denoted that he did not believe Dick.
“We have engaged those rooms and paid in advance for them,” said Merriwell, still holding himself in check. “We are entitled to privacy in them, and we have no intention of admitting strange and suspicious visitors, especially a Turk of your questionable behavior.”
“You refuse me admittance?”
“Decidedly.”
Aziz Achmet made a quick sign to the black giant. Instantly the Nubian strode forward. Dick made a move to retreat, but the arm of the black man darted out and one powerful hand seized the lad. Merriwell had not overestimated the probable strength of the tattooed man, for, with scarcely an effort, it seemed, the boy was lifted from his feet and placed to one side.
Achmet quickly advanced to the door, flung it open, and entered the room.
Brad Buckhart had caught the hum of voices outside and was crossing the room to investigate when he found himself face to face with the Turk.
“Waugh!” exclaimed the Texan, in surprise.
“Pardon, boy,” said Achmet, still maintaining his quiet manner and soft speech. “I would speak with the professor.”
“Is that so?” said Brad. “Well, whoever invited you to walk in all unceremonious and chirklike? It strikes me that you are some forward in your deportment. Where’s my pard?”
“Here!” cried Dick, who had been released by the Nubian, and who now hastened into the room. “This man forced an entrance. He has dogged us here, Brad.”
“Dogged is a proper word for it, I reckon!” grated the Texan, beginning to bridle. “Forced his way in, did he? Well, I judge we’ll just shoot him out on his neck and teach him a bit of common decency!”
He proceeded to strip off his coat in a very businesslike manner.
“Hold!” commanded Achmet. “You will regret it, you infidel whelp, if you place your vile hands on me!”
“Whoop!” roared the Westerner. “We’ll sure see about that right away! Come on, partner!”
But now the Nubian stalked into the room, apparently ready to take a hand in the encounter, and Achmet called attention to him.
“This man alone,” he declared, “is more than the equal of twenty boys. He once slew a strong man with a single blow of his fist. If you lift a finger against me he will rend you. Be careful!”
In spite of this warning Buckhart would have pitched in; but Dick had better judgment and hastened to restrain his friend.
“The black man is dangerous, Brad,” he said, in a low tone. “Unless we use deadly weapons, he can master us alone. Besides that, we do not wish to kick up an uproar unless forced to do so. Steady, old man!”
“Whoop!” cried Brad. “This business is making me sizzle a heap!”
“It is an outrage, and we’ll enter a complaint.”
“You bet your boots!”
“That is your privilege,” smiled Achmet, in his half-sneering way. “When I am through, you may complain as much as you like; but first bring forth the professor, that I may question him. Why is he hiding?”
“Hiding? Do you think he would hide from you?” exclaimed Dick. “I tell you he is not here. Look for yourself.”
“And be right careful that none of our belongings stick to your fingers,” growled the Texan. “We’ve been robbed in various ways from London all the way here; but this is the first time any one has tried the game open and brazen, like this.”
“You are not in the least danger of being robbed,” assured the Turk. “I invite you to watch me, in order that you may see you have no complaint of that sort to make.”
He then looked into the adjoining room, and the bath.
“Well, are you satisfied?” demanded Dick.
Achmet showed a trace of annoyance and disappointment. He stated that he had been told by the Nubian that the professor was there, and further that he was sure Zenas Gunn had not left the hotel since his arrival.
“Which makes it plain that he has played the spy on us right along,” said Dick, addressing Brad, but not lowering his voice.
“Sure!” rasped Buckhart.
“I will wait for his return,” said the Turk. “While I am waiting, perhaps you will inform me what business has brought you to this country.”
“Our business is none of your business,” declared Dick.
“Of that I will judge when I am satisfied that I have learned your business.”
“We are traveling.”
“For what purpose?”
“To see the world.”
“Two boys and an old man. In Italy your behavior was suspicious. You disappeared from Naples in great haste, without explaining why you left so suddenly or whither you went.”
“Great tarantulas!” muttered Brad. “He’s even got track of us as far back as that.”
“In Venice you were concerned in some singular and unaccountable things, and in Greece you had dealings with lawless characters. Had you remained in Athens, you must have explained your actions to officials of the city government. You left there, also, in haste.”
Dick wondered that the man should know so much of their movements.
“It seems,” continued Achmet, “that in various places the police have been warned against you; but that in each instance they sought to find out about you only to find you suddenly departed.”
“This certain is a plenty interesting!” gasped Buckhart. “What does it mean, pard? Can you tell?”
Dick had been thinking swiftly. His hand fell on his friend’s arm.
“Brad, it is the work of Bunol and Marsh, our bitter enemies. They were sore because we fooled them by getting the Budthornes out of their power. They have lost track of Dunbar Budthorne and his sister, Nadia, but have managed somehow to keep trace of us, and have tried to cause us as much annoyance as possible.”
“I opine you’re right, Dick,” nodded Buckhart. “That’s just it. I wouldn’t be surprised to see those two onery varmints turn up any time. Well, they’ve succeeded in making a lot of fool work for a lot of fool people, and this is the first time we’ve been touched by it.”
Achmet had listened to their words with a manner of mingled interest and doubt. It was plain that he did not understand, and he was on the point of questioning them further when the sudden sound of excited and angry voices reached their ears through the partly open doorway.
“The professor!” cried Dick. “Something is doing, Brad! Come on!”
“Lay the trail, pard! I’m at your heels!”
They rushed forth and ran toward the point from which came the sound of those voices.
“You’re a miserable, crawling worm! You’re a whisky-soaked, dried-up, offensive squid! You have annoyed the lady by your obnoxious attentions, and they must cease!”
It was the voice of Zenas.
“Yo’, suh, are a long-eared jackass, suh, and I demand satisfaction fo’ your insults, suh!”
“Major Fitts!” exclaimed Dick, in dismay.
“Gentlemen, gentlemen!” shrilled another voice. “This is scandalous! You must not quarrel over me! It is shocking to my delicate sensibilities. I cannot permit it!”
“And Sarah Ann, sure as shooting!” cried Brad.
At the head of the stairs were three persons. Zenas Gunn was shaking his fist down at Major Fitts, while the major was shaking his fist up at the professor. Miss Ketchum had her hands clasped in an attitude of despair, while she implored them to desist.
Dick halted, folding his arms.
“Now what do you think of that?” he muttered, in disgust.
“It certain is some annoying,” chuckled Buckhart, pausing with his hands resting on his hips. “Shall we pitch in, pard, and break it up?”
“I’m tempted to let those two old fools have it out,” said Merriwell.
“Good idea! Mebbe it will cure them both.”
“Take your fist away!” snarled the professor, knocking the hand of the little man aside.
“Don’t yo’ strike at me, suh!” panted the major, his face red as a boiled lobster, and his gray mustache bristling.
“Strike at you!” retorted Zenas scornfully. “If I ever struck at you, you human wart, there wouldn’t be anything left of you but a grease spot!”
“Oh, please, please stop!” sobbed Sarah Ann, trying to get hold of them and force them apart.
“Yo’ had better hide behind a lady’s petticoat!” raged the man from Mississippi.
“Hide behind nothing!” retorted Gunn, giving Miss Ketchum an embrace and looking over one shoulder, while he reached over her other shoulder to again shake his fist at Fitts. “She is trying to keep me from annihilating you.”
Finding herself in the professor’s embrace, Miss Ketchum screamed and seemed on the point of fainting.
“Oh, Moses!” laughed Buckhart. “Look at that, pard – just look!”
“I see,” said Dick, also convulsed. “The professor isn’t losing the opportunity to hug Sarah Ann, and it makes the major bloodthirsty.”
Fitts danced round in an endeavor to get hold of Gunn, but the latter skillfully turned so that he kept Miss Ketchum’s limp form between them.
“Unhand that lady!” rasped the man from Mississippi, fairly frothing. “How dare yo’ behave in such a manner!”
“Oh, go back to your kennel!” advised Zenas.
The major caught hold of Sarah Ann and managed to dance round until he could get his hands on the professor.
“Release her!” he commanded.
Miss Ketchum straightened up a little.
“Such a shocking scandal!” she sobbed.
“Yo’ have compromised her, suh!” panted Fitts. “Yo’ shall pay the penalty with your life, suh!”
“I’ve stood just as much of this as I can!” grated Zenas. “I’ll just throw you downstairs!”
Which he attempted to do, while Sarah Ann again tried to part them. On the top stair both lost their balance. Wildly they grabbed at something as they toppled. The right hand of Zenas caught Miss Ketchum. The left hand of the major closed on her, also. Then all three toppled, a shriek of terror escaped the woman, and down they went.
Bump, bump, bump-ety-bump!
Tangled in a most astonishing manner, the three seemed to bound like a huge rubber ball from stair to stair. At intervals legs and arms shot out from the mass and described half circles in the air. The woman continued to scream, the professor yelled, while the major grunted and gasped with every thump. It sounded as if the entire hotel was falling.
“Oh, say, pard, this is awful!” cried Buckhart, rushing toward the stairs.
“I’m afraid the professor will be somewhat dented,” said Dick, also losing no time.
Thud! crash!
The trio landed at the bottom of the stairs.
Sarah Ann struck in a sitting posture, with her skirts outspread. She was minus a wig and a full set of false teeth, and she presented a ludicrous spectacle of wreck and despair. Both men were beneath her, and having landed on them she did not seem to be seriously harmed.
Dick and Brad bounded down the stairs and reached her.
“Are you hurt, madam?” questioned Merriwell, his natural chivalry causing him to express anxiety for her first.
She spoke, and strange were the mumbling sounds which issued from her toothless mouth. “I’ve sost my seesh in thish dishgrashful affairsh,” she answered. “Be sho kindsh to reshtorsh my seesh, pleash.”
“Here madam,” said Dick, picking up something, “are part of them.”
“And here, madam,” said Brad, also picking something up, “are the rest of them.”
She hastily slipped them into her mouth, while Mowbry Fitts began to kick and shout.
“Let me get up!” he called, in a muffled voice.
“Be quiet,” said Miss Ketchum, “until I have arranged my toilet.”
Her head was almost entirely devoid of hair.
“Perhaps this may assist you,” said Dick, discovering her wig and handing it to her.
“Help!” called the husky voice of Professor Gunn. “I’m smothering! I can’t breathe!”
“You don’t deserve to breathe,” said Miss Ketchum, calmly adjusting the wig. “You are two indecent creatures, and I am sure you have disgraced me forever.”
Major Fitts was becoming frantic.
“I’m dying!” he groaned.
“I’m dead!” came faintly from Professor Gunn.
By this time scores of guests had reached the spot and stood asking questions. Others were coming. The whole house had been aroused.
“Dick,” said Brad, “I do believe the professor is smothering! She’s sitting on his head, and his struggles are growing weaker.”
“Lift her, Brad,” said Merriwell.
They caught hold of her and stood her on her feet.
“Water!” gasped the professor.
“Whisky!” wheezed the major.
They lay on their backs, having managed to roll over, gasping for breath.
Miss Ketchum looked down at them with an air of contempt.
“I hope,” she said, “that the proprietor has you both locked up as lunatics! You are the worst old fools I ever saw! So there!”
Then, declining assistance, she hurried up the stairs.
CHAPTER IV – THE CHALLENGE
The final words of Sarah Ann ere she pranced up the stairs did much to revive the professor and the major. They sat up and looked at each other. The expression on their faces was comical in the extreme.
“She meant you, sir!” rasped Gunn.
“She meant yo’, suh!” snapped Fitts.
“I think she plainly included both of you,” said Dick; “and I fancy it is the opinion of all present that she hit the nail on the head.”
“I don’t know about the nail,” groaned Zenas; “but I’m sure something hit me on the head. And that woman – that heartless jade – sat on me! She nearly finished me!”
“Had she completed the job,” declared the major, “it would have been a blessing, suh. It would have disposed of a pestiferous, weak-minded, addle-pated, goggle-eyed – ”
“Hold on! Stop right there!” cried Zenas. “That will do! You have reached the limit, sir – the limit!”
“Yo’ may think so, suh; but yo’ll find this is far from the limit. I am a man of honor, and I demand satisfaction. I demand blood!”
“He’s a butcher!” chuckled Brad.
“You have it already,” said Zenas. “Your nose is bleeding, sir.”
“You know what I mean. I demand that you meet me in mortal combat. You escaped me once, but you shall not escape again. I caught you sneaking around the door of Miss Ketchum’s room and – ”
“I caught you there, you fabricator!” flung back the professor.
At this point the proprietor of the hotel appeared on the scene and promptly announced that he would not have such things in his house. He threatened to eject them both, whereupon Dick hastened to assure the angry man that he would take care of the professor and see that there was no further disturbance.
Then Dick and Brad lifted Zenas to his feet and started him up the stairs, one on either side.
“You shall hear from me again!” cried the major, in defiance of those who had raised him and were dragging him away.
“Bah, sir!” Zenas flung over his shoulder.
“Boo, suh!” Fitts hurled back.
“Slowly, slowly, boys!” groaned the old pedagogue. “I feel as if all my joints were dislocated and half my bones were broken. It’s a wonder my head is not mashed flat, for that woman – that creature – sat on it! Then she called me an old fool!”
“But,” said Dick, “you know you could spend your life at her feet, listening to the musical murmur of her heavenly voice.”
“Her voice sounds like tearing a rag!” sneered Zenas. “She’s all skin and bones, and – ”
“Why, professor!” interrupted Brad. “I heard you assert that her form had the grace of a gazelle.”
“Never – never said it! She’s a hatchet-faced old – ”
“Tut! tut!” chided Dick. “You know you admired her the first time you beheld her intellectual and classic countenance.”
“Now stop it, boys! Did you see her glare at me with those fishy eyes?”
“Awful!” exclaimed Dick. “You called her eyes limpid lakes.”
“I deny it! I deny it! And she has false teeth, for I heard her mumble that she lost them when she fell.”
“You distinctly stated,” reminded Buckhart, “that her teeth were pearls beyond price.”
“I think they cost about eleven dollars a set,” estimated Dick.
“And her golden halo of hair came off in the shuffle,” said the Texan. “She’s as bald as a billiard ball.”
“Say no more!” entreated Zenas. “Get me to my room and spread me on the bed. Boys, if you ever tell of this – if you ever even mention it again – I’ll send you both back home!”
By this time they had reached their rooms, and they helped the old fellow to the bed, on which he slowly sank, groaning as if in great distress.
“Bring me my medicine, Richard,” he entreated. “I must have a small dose. You will find it in my medicine case. The leather-covered flask, Richard. That’s it. Never mind pouring any. I’ll take it directly from the flask. It is a harmless tonic, and I need it greatly just now.”
He took a long pull at the leather-covered flask. After that he lay back and closed his eyes for a moment. Suddenly they popped open and he exclaimed:
“To think that creature should call me an old fool!”
“But you know pearls of wisdom drop from her sweet lips,” laughed Dick.
“And she is a lofty-minded, angelic girl,” added Brad.
“Get out of here, you two rascals!” cried the old man. “You’re laughing at me, you ungrateful scamps! Do you want to drive me crazy? Leave me to meditate on the frailty of human flesh.”
The laughing lads retired to the adjoining room.
“Well, one good thing happened,” said Dick; “it cured him of his foolishness over Sarah Ann.”
“He sure is well cured,” agreed Buckhart.
There came a sharp knock on the door. Before they could open it, it was flung wide by the giant Nubian, and Aziz Achmet again entered the room.
“This is too much!” exclaimed Dick. “I’ll call the proprietor and see if we are to be annoyed by this man in this outrageous manner.”
“Wait a moment, boy,” advised the Turk, still maintaining his cool and insolent manner. “I am here on most important business. Professor Gunn has been challenged to mortal combat by Major Fitts, and I have come as the representative of the major to make arrangements for the affair of honor.”
“Well,” said Dick, “you may return and tell that little blusterer to go to a warmer clime! Professor Gunn is not a fighting man, and he will not meet Major Fitts in a duel.”
“Hold on – hold on, Richard!” called the professor, who was beginning to feel the influence of the “medicine” from the leather-covered flask. “Don’t be so hasty! I want you to understand that I am no coward! That withered old pippin can’t frighten me! No, sir! If he wants to fight a duel, I’ll meet him, and I’ll give him all he wants of it!”
“Professor, you – ”
“Stop, Richard – stop right there! I know my own business. If I were to let that mistake from Mississippi drive me into my boots I’d never after have the face to look at my own reflection in a mirror.”
“But a duel, professor – a real duel – ”
“I know. It’s all right. I’ll show him the kind of stuff I’m made of, I will! He thinks he’ll frighten me, but he’ll find out he can’t jar me a bit. I’ll meet him with weapons of any sort. I’ll meet him anywhere!”
“Whoop!” cried Buckhart. “The old boy means it, pard, and I reckon he’ll make good!”
“Mowbry Fitts will find out that I’ll make good,” said Zenas. “He can’t send his representative here and frighten Zenas Gunn, of Fardale. Fix it up, Richard. You shall be my second. I leave it all to you. That unfortunate fall shook me up, and I’m a trifle dizzy. I’ll retire again. But this gentleman had better tell old Fitts to prepare for his funeral. That’s all he’ll be good for when I am through with him.”
Then Zenas again retired to his room.
Aziz Achmet waited. Dick Merriwell thought swiftly.
“Where and when shall this duel take place?” he asked.
“There is an old cemetery a short distance up the street,” said the Turk.
“Well?”
“It will be an excellent place for the meeting.”
“And the hour?”
“Daybreak to-morrow, if it suits you.”
“That’s all right.”
“The weapons – ”
“We have the choice of weapons,” interrupted Merriwell.
“And you choose swords – or pistols?”
“We will not only choose the weapons, we’ll provide them,” said the boy. “I’ll have them on hand, Mr. Achmet.”
“But it is customary to settle all these little details in advance, boy.”
“You have forced this affair on Professor Gunn. I guarantee that he will be on hand at the appointed time to-morrow morning. I also guarantee that he will have the weapons. If you’re not satisfied with that, get out of these rooms and cease to annoy us further.”
“That’s business!” cried Buckhart.
Achmet seemed to think a moment, but he finally bowed, retreating gracefully toward the door.
“It is only a single point,” he said, “and I shall advise my principal to concede it. But I wish you to understand that we shall be on our guard for trickery, and I’ll see that Major Fitts has a fair and even chance.”
Then he passed through the door, which the Nubian closed.
