Part 6 (1/2)

”Say, but you're a b.u.m lot!” he cried. ”Why don't you go back to the Pyramids and sleep for another thousand years? There ain't no nourishment in sitting up there like a dime museum, for there's no one sellin' tickets at the door.”

”Look behind you!”

That was the English voice again, seemingly out of the heavy air, or out of the storm outside. Jimmie turned quickly and saw his chums nicely tied up.

In a moment he turned back to the row of six, without even exchanging a look with his friends.

”Who's doin' the talkin',” he asked.

Frank and Jack were now too impatient to know what had become of their leader to delay longer. The latter asked:

”Where's Ned?”

”Ask this lineup,” Jimmie replied. ”I don't know. Gee! If I had a face like that man on the end, I'd sell it to the wild man of Borneo, its an improvement on anythin' he could get up. Say, Old Socks!” he added, ”where is Ned?”

”Packed up, ready for delivery,” was the reply. ”Say, how would you wild animals like to take a jaunt on your motorcycles to-night? Nice cool night for a ride! You might reach Poking by morning and report to the American amba.s.sador!”

”We'll get there in due time,” Frank answered.

”I've drawn the teeth of this collection of wild animals, at all events,” said the voice. ”No more Wolves and Black Bears will be apt to come to China. Such collections are not popular here.”

Jimmie dropped back to where his chums were seated. Serious as the situation was, the boy could not restrain a smile as he threw himself down beside Frank. The storm was still thundering outside, and splashes of rain now and then whirled in at the open cas.e.m.e.nt.

The lantern which illuminated the interior of the room showed only a round blotch against the darkness. In this circle sat the six silent men, watchful but motionless.

”It might be a scene in a play!” Jimmie exclaimed.

Frank nodded and whispered:

”Did they get Ned, too?”

Jimmie nodded. His face was grave in an instant.

”Where is he?” Frank whispered.

The little fellow shook his head. Then the voice which seemed to come from nowhere was heard again:

”You'll meet him in due time,” it said.

A long silence followed. The lantern which gave out the light flickered in the wind and the beat of the rain increased in violence. In all the adventurous lives of the Boy Scouts nothing so weird, so uncanny, as this had ever occurred.

”Well,” Jack said, more to break the strange silence than for any other purpose, ”why don't you say something?”

Then, through the clamor of the storm, came the sharp ring of steel. It sounded to the listening boys like the purring of two swords directed against each other by strong hands.

Instantly the light was extinguished, and the shuffling of feet told the captives that the watchful six were getting into upright positions.

”h.e.l.lo, the house!”