t is impossible, Feerda," he said. "You do not understand. I cannot tell
you everything. Sometimes I almost think that the best thing I could do
would be to return with them to the countries you know nothing of."

"That's what you are going to do, any way," Quest declared, suddenly
making his appearance. "Hands up!"

He covered Craig with his revolver, but his arm was scarcely extended
before Feerda sprang at him like a little wild-cat. He gripped her with
his left arm and held her away with difficulty.

"Craig," he continued, "you're coming with us. You know the way to Port
Said and we want you--you know why. Untie that sash from your waist.
Quickly!"

Craig obeyed. He had the stupefied air of a man who has lost for the time
his volition.

"Tie it to the tree," Quest ordered. "Leave room enough."

Craig did as he was told. Then he turned and held the loose ends up. Quest
lowered his revolver for a moment as he pushed Feerda toward it. Craig,
with a wonderful spring, reached his side and kicked the revolver away.
Before Quest could even stoop to recover it, he saw the glitter of the
other's knife pressed against his chest.

"Listen," Craig declared. "I've made up my mind. I won't go back to
America. I've had enough of being hunted all over the world. This time I
think I'll rid myself of one of you, at any rate."

"Will you?"

The interruption was so unexpected that Craig lost his nerve. Through an
opening in the trees, only a few feet away, Lenora had suddenly appeared.
She, too, held a revolver; her hand was as steady as a rock.

"Drop your knife," she ordered Craig.

He obeyed without hesitation.

"Now tie the sash around the girl."

He obeyed mechanically. Feerda, who had been fiercely resisting Quest's
efforts to hold her, yielded without a struggle as soon as Craig touched
her. She looked at him, however, with bitter reproach.

"You would tie me here?" she murmured. "You would leave me?"

[Illustration: FEERDA, THE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER, LISTENS ENRAPTURED TO CRAIG'S
TALES OF FARAWAY AMERICA.]

[Illustration: CRAIG FRANTICALLY ASSISTED IN DRAGGING PEOPLE FROM THE
BURNING CAR.]

"It is Fate," Craig muttered. "I am worn out with trying to escape,
Feerda. They will come soon and release you."

She opened her lips to shriek, but Quest, who had made a gag of her linen
head-dress, thrust it suddenly into her mouth. He took Craig by the collar
and led him to the spot where the others were waiting. They ho