answered Mark, with apparent relief. "Well, if
you'll come into this house I'll give it you. Oh, it's all right!"
as Helmar did not offer to move, "there's not a soul about besides
ourselves. Come along."

"But why can't you pay me here? I have no time to fool about, and
must get back to the quay in time to catch the boat."

"I know--at least, that is--all right," said Mark, seeing that he
had made a mistake. "But you don't understand. This is where I have
to live."

"Since you robbed those who helped you here, eh?" said George,
contemptuously.

"I see you have heard of that, then," replied Mark, with a smile.
"But really I had no intention of stealing, I only borrowed it as I
borrowed it from you, and am equally as ready to return it as I am
yours."

"Why don't you do so, then?" said Helmar, a little mollified at the
man's open words. "Look here, Mark, I don't want to say hard things,
but if you're not a knave you are a fool, and the sooner you pull
yourself together and live a decent life, the better!"

"Oh, don't preach, Helmar!" cried Arden impatiently. "Allow me to
do as I think fit. Now, will you come and get that money, or must I,
on account of some silly notion of yours, go and fetch it? Of
course, if you will not, then----"

"All right, lead the way," said Helmar, "I'll follow."

Arden led the way to a tumble-down, two-storied building, and the
trio entered. It was dark inside.

"You'd better follow me pretty closely," said their guide, "the
floor is none too sound, and you may have a tumble if you don't."

The two friends followed close up to their guide, and as they turned
into a room, Osterberg fancied he heard a sound proceed from it. As
nothing further alarmed him, he put it down to his straining nerves.
As soon as they were inside, the door closed sharply behind them,
and the ominous click of the lock made them both start. Helmar was
about to say something, when Mark anticipated him.

"Hold on while I strike a light. The beastly wind has blown the door
to."

This was such palpable nonsense that George expostulated.

"There isn't a breath of wind, man. Hurry up with the light!"

Arden fumbled with some matches for a moment, and then a light was
struck.

[Illustration: "'Trapped, by Heavens!' shouted Helmar." p. 124]

"Trapped, by Heavens!" shouted Helmar, as the light revealed the
room filled with armed Arabs.

"Yes, as you say--trapped!" said Arden, with a leer on his dark
face. "