CHAPTER XXVI.
WAS IT A MISTAKE?
Although the Greeks pursued them into the city, they made no attempt torecover possession of Flavia.
What they did do, however, was something alarming.
At intervals they called to other men, friends or acquaintances, andmany of these joined them in following the girl and her escort. Thislittle band of dogged pursuers grew by ones and twos until there were inall at least ten of them.
Professor Gunn's agitation grew as the number of pursuers increased.
"Boys," he said, "I sadly fear we are going to have grave trouble. Itwould not surprise me if we were attacked and murdered right here in thecity of Athens. I am in favor of calling for protection by the 'Agentsof Peace,' as they call the police here."
"Now, don't you know, really I wouldn't do that," objected Sir AugustusCamberwell. "Really I wouldn't."
"Why not, sir?"
"On account of the girl, don't you understand! The blooming Agents ofPeace might ask us to explain what we are doing with the girl and why wewithheld her from her uncle, don't you see! Don't have anything to dowith the Greek bobbies. We have but a short distance farther to go--avery short distance."
So the Agents of Peace were not appealed to by them, and at last theyreached the hotel where Sir Augustus and Charles Cavendish werestopping.
"I have to thank you very much for your gallant protection of Flavia,"said Cavendish, again shaking hands with the boys and the old professor."She has explained fully how you risked your lives for her, as thatcrazy fellow, her uncle wishes her to marry, drew a knife on you. It isreally wonderful that two boys and an old man should be able to standthose two ruffians off."
"Old man!" exploded the professor indignantly. "Who are you calling anold man, sir? I would have you understand that I'm younger than lots ofmen half my age."
"No offense, professor," Cavendish hastened to say. "You are indeedremarkably young for your years."
Zenas sniffed and hemmed in a manner that denoted he was not fullypacified.
Both Cavendish and Sir Augustus seemed anxious to get rid of theAmericans.
Maro, Tyrus, and the rest of the pursuers had now disappeared, and,therefore, Dick proposed that they should return to their hotel.
Not until they were far away and had failed to discover further signs oftheir pursuers did Professor Gunn throw off his nervousness.
"I tell you, boys," he said, "this has been a very serious affair--very.Of course, we may yet have trouble over it. There is no telling. I can'tunderstand why we were not attacked by that band of men who gathered tofollow us. It is certain that the Greek of to-day is not much like theGreek of old. In ancient times we would have been overwhelmed andslaughtered like dogs."
Dick was silent and moody. He seemed thinking of something that was farfrom pleasant. Even after they had reached their hotel and were in theirrooms he maintained an air of gloomy thought.
"Whatever is troubling you, pard?" questioned Brad, when the professorhad retired to his room.
"I am thinking of Flavia--poor Flavia," answered Dick. "Her situationbothers me, Brad. I almost fear we made a mistake to-day."
"I've been thinking some that same way," declared the Texan, springingup and beginning to pace the floor with long strides. "I sure didn'tlike old Augustus any, and Cavendish didn't hit me any too well. Youdon't suppose that young snipe is fooling that girl, do you, Dick?"
"That is a hard question to answer. There is something queer about thisaffair. Flavia says Cavendish is going to take her to India, where herfather is; but still they met by accident on the Acropolis or near it.If Cavendish was sent here by the father of Flavia, why didn't he comedirect to the girl?"
"You tell!"
"Sir Augustus is an old rascal, and from his manner I inferred that heheld the idea that Cavendish is crooked. Brad, if we have beeninstrumental in getting that beautiful girl into trouble, instead ofhelping her out of trouble, I'll never forgive myself."
"What are we going to do, Dick?" asked the Texan, gravely.
"Perhaps it is our duty to go to the headquarters of the Agents of Peaceand tell all about it."
"And get up to our necks in trouble, sure as shooting."
"I suppose so. Sir Augustus must have influence, for he got Cavendishout of the jug in a hurry."
"Filthy lucre did it, partner. It will do almost anything in these days.Somehow I opine that old Tyrus doesn't rate very high in the family linehere, and it's likely good coin would cause the authorities to wink atan intrigue between a gay young Englishman and a girl of poor family."
At this moment Professor Gunn came prancing back into the room, verymuch excited in manner.
"I was sure of it!" he squawked, shaking a quivering finger in the air."I was sure I had heard of that old reprobate! I looked over my notes.Boys, he's a miserable old rounder! He's a man with a bad record! Heought to be in prison! He would be in prison if he had his just deserts!He disgraced himself and his family in England! He left his own countryon account of his reputation. That's the kind of man he is."
"Who are you talking about?" asked Dick.
"Sir Augustus Camberwell," answered the professor. "And he's the friendof Cavendish!"
"Now we know how the land lays, partner," said Brad.
Dick rose to his feet, catching up his hat and light topcoat.
"Come, Buckhart," he said grimly.
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm going out to get some air. I'm afraid we have been chumps of thechumpiest variety."
"I'm with you," said the Texan.
"Boys, boys, boys!" spluttered the professor. "I hope you are not goingto do anything more that is rash. I can't permit it. I must object. Imust put my foot down."
"Don't worry about us, professor," said Dick. "I feel the need of abrisk walk to cool off. My indignation is getting the better of me."
Zenas hurried to the door.
"You shall not go until you promise me you will do nothing rash," hedeclared. "I shall not permit you to leave this room."
Dick managed to appease and reassure him in a short time, and soon heleft the hotel, accompanied by his chum.
"What's your plan, pard?" asked Brad, as soon as they were on thestreet.
"I'm going direct to Cavendish and Camberwell," said Dick. "UnlessCavendish can satisfy me beyond the shadow of a doubt that hisintentions toward Flavia are perfectly honorable, I'll denounce him tothe authorities, and push the matter against him, even if I go to jailmyself for it!"
"Whoop!" cried the Texan. "That's the stuff! We'll take to the warpath,Dick, and there will be things doing in Athens. You hear me shout!"