peration? Then I shall begin. Boys, I regret to inform you that
Mr. Kemel Moustafa is a member of a conspiracy to overthrow the United
Arab Republic government."

Rick and Scotty turned to look at the mustached man. He sat impassively.

"His brothers also are in this conspiracy. He told you they were in
Beirut, but he was not truthful. They are in jail, here in Cairo,
awaiting trial. We picked up Ali the day before you arrived. We did not
get Fuad until an hour before you visited him. The local people were
nervous over the arrest. Many in that neighborhood support the
Moustafas."

Kemel Moustafa spoke. "I'm not in it. You can't prove that I am."

Ben nodded. "Proof may be difficult. That is why you were allowed to
remain at large while we collected your brothers. But, meanwhile, we
have you on a charge of armed robbery, since you used a pistol to get
the cat from our American friends a few minutes ago." He turned to the
boys. "Talk of overthrowing a government probably sounds strange to you.
It has been many years since the American government was in any danger
of revolt."

"We don't understand some of the foreign revolutions," Rick agreed. "But
I suppose when a group isn't satisfied, it's apt to plot a revolution if
there seems to be a chance of success."

"That's right," Ben agreed. "Our country is much older than yours,
historically, but actually it's much younger. The Republic is pretty
new. Some of our dissatisfied citizens still think it's more efficient
to make changes with bullets instead of ballots."

Scotty asked, "Why do they want to make changes? What kind of changes?"

The inspector grinned. "Many kinds. We have groups that think the
monarchy ought to be restored. We have others who think our foreign
policy is too neutral, or that it isn't neutral enough. And we also have
people who don't like our currency controls because they prevent
tremendous profits from speculation. There are other groups, too. All
are minorities and the only way they can see to make rapid changes is to
overthrow the government and set up their own."

"Then you have revolutionaries plotting all over the place!" Rick
exclaimed.

"It's not quite that bad. Most groups have little support, and only one
or two have any funds. It takes money for revolution, you know."

Rick could see that revolutions cost plenty, and he began to see the
importance of the Egyptian cat. In the little plastic statue, in some
form, were the finance