He was seated near the fire with Royson and Stump. Irene had gone to
Mrs. Haxton the instant she heard Dick's tragic story.
"Has Mrs. Haxton thrown any light on events?" Fenshawe asked. "You say
she was completely broken down. Did you gather from her words that von
Kerber brought her here knowing that this oasis was the place described
by the Greek?"
"She did not even mention the treasure. Perhaps I could have induced
her to speak, but--"
"You forbore. I am glad of it. Has any of the loot been discovered?"
"It was dark when I visited the trench von Kerber was cutting. Alfieri
sent a volley at him, and stopped the work before much was done, but
the Arabs tell me that some leather wallets are visible. The men who
were here this morning know that the contents are valuable, so I have
stationed an armed guard there."
"I wish I could destroy every vestige of the wretched stuff. There is a
curse on it."
Fenshawe's tone revealed how deeply he was moved.
"Where is Abdullah?" he cried suddenly. "If he will tell us the truth,
we may reach firm ground in the midst of all this morass of lies and
treachery.
Pages:
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449