CHAPTER XXVII.
THE PURSUIT.
Although it did not take them long to retrace their steps to the hotelwhere they had left the Englishmen and the Greek girl, they met with amost surprising disappointment when they arrived there. They wereinformed that Cavendish, Camberwell, and Flavia had just left in aclosed carriage. The carriage was pointed out to them, just disappearingdown a street that seemed to lead toward the outskirts of the city.
Only a moment was Dick Merriwell nonplused. Then he called for saddledhorses, and the money he displayed brought him the assurance that hiswants should be supplied.
"Lose not a second," he ordered. "We must overtake that carriage."
Buckhart was burning with impatience, but he bemoaned the fact that theywere not armed.
"Oh, for a brace of revolvers now!" he cried. "If we had the guns wecertain would take that girl away from them."
"We'll take her anyhow," declared Dick grimly.
Brad did not ask how they were going to do it, for he had perfectconfidence in his bosom friend. If Dick said they would do a thing, thatsettled it--it was as good as done.
So it happened that in a very few moments the two daring American boyswere mounted and riding at a breathless gallop along the street of thatGreek city.
The carriage had disappeared from view some time before, but the boyskept on, hoping fortune might be with them.
Not far from the outskirts of the city Dick paused to question somelaborers. One of the men could speak good English, and he immediatelydeclared that he remembered the carriage. He directed them, and theywere soon galloping onward once more.
The street they now followed quickly brought them to the open countryoutside the city. In the distance lay some low, rugged hills, which fromthat point seemed rather barren and forbidding. The road led up a steepincline.
"Pard," said Brad, "I'm sure afraid we've missed them. We can't seeanything of them anywhere."
"Perhaps we have," admitted Dick; "but let's get to the top of this hilland take a survey."
They clattered up the hill. Near the crest, the road wound round theshoulder of an immense bowlder, which was fully as large as a smallcottage.
Sitting on the ground with his back against the rock and his body in thesunshine, being fully protected from the rather chill wind that sweptthe top of the hill, was a ragged beggar. He held out his open palm tothem.
"Drachma," he said. "Drachma."
"Whatever does he mean by that?" asked Brad.
"Money," said Dick. "Evidently he takes us for wealthy foreigners, elsehe would not ask for drachma, which has a value of something like twentycents in our money."
Dick produced a coin and tossed it shimmering toward the beggar, whodeftly caught it.
Then the boy began to question him, using a little "modern Greek" andmany signs. The beggar was grateful and seemed anxious to understand andaid Dick. He even rose to his feet and drew nearer.
Dick sprang down from his horse, giving the bridle into the hand of hiscompanion. With his finger he swiftly drew a crude picture in a patch ofdust beside the road. It was the picture of a closed carriage.
The beggar understood in a twinkling. He nodded excitedly, jabbering inhis own language and motioning for the boys to follow him. Turning, heran to the point where the road disappeared round the shoulder of thebowlder, pausing again to beckon them on.
Merriwell leaped into the saddle and the two lads rounded the rock atthe heels of the beggar. The man pointed along the road, and amid somebare trees on a slope half a mile away the carriage was plainly seen, atiny cloud of dust rolling up behind it.
"Whoop!" shouted Buckhart. "There she is, pard! We're still on thetrail!"
They did not pause to thank the beggar, but were off down the hill, thehoofs of their horses ringing clear on the hard and stony road.
It was dangerous to ride as they rode, for that strip of road wasanything but good. Still they took chances and dashed onward.
It seemed that some one in the carriage observed them, for they soondecided that the horses attached to the vehicle had been forced togreater speed.
"But they can't get away from us now!" declared Dick grimly.
"What will we do when we overtake them?" questioned Brad.
"We'll hold them up and find out what they are trying to do withFlavia."
"It's a whole lot queer they were able to get away from that hotel andout of the city without any of that bunch of Greeks interfering."
"I've been thinking of that. After following them to the hotel, it seemsthat Maro, Tyrus, and their friends quit."
"I certain am afraid the Greek of to-day is a sure enough quitter."
"Look, Brad--look at the road yonder!"
"Horsemen, partner, and they're riding good and hard."
For a few moments a number of horsemen were in plain sight on anotherroad, and it was plain that they were pushing their mounts. They soondisappeared from view behind an intervening ridge.
"They were Greeks," said Dick.
"Sure thing."
"The carriage has disappeared."
"That's right."
"Brad, I think the road those horsemen were following intersects thisroad somewhere beyond that ridge."
"I judge she does."
"The occupants of that carriage could not see those horsemen."
"Because the ridge shut out the view of the other road."
"Exactly. But I think the horsemen knew the carriage must come roundthat ridge at the western end, and I believe they mean to intercept itwhere the roads cross."
"Partner, I allow you have figured it out proper. That being the case----"
"Tyrus and Maro are leading the horsemen."
"I'll bet on it."
"In which case there is liable to be bloodshed. Camberwell and Cavendishmay be butchered by the engaged uncle and lover."
"That's whatever."
"They may deserve it, but still it's our duty to prevent it, ifpossible."
Even while riding at full gallop the boys had managed to carry on thisconversation. But now, as they reached the last declivity of the road,and were descending into the valley between the two ridges, Dick's horsestepped on a loose stone and fell as if shot.
Had not Merriwell been an expert horseman that accident might have beenfatal. He shot over the head of the horse, having managed to free hisfeet from the stirrups with the quickness of thought itself. Striking onhis feet, he managed to keep up for two springs, and, when he did fall,he regained an upright position and wheeled so swiftly that it wasalmost impossible to say that he had been down at all.
As the horse rose Dick had the creature by the bit and was talkingsoothingly to it.
Having uttered an exclamation of dismay, Buckhart reined in as soon aspossible and turned about. An expression of relief shot over his ruggedface as he saw his friend on his feet, holding the frightened horse bythe bit.
"Good work!" shouted the delighted Texan. "It certain takes more than alittle thing like that to put you down and out, partner."
Dick managed to fling himself into the saddle. As his feet found thestirrups once more, he waved his hand to Buckhart.
Brad wheeled his own horse as Merriwell came alongside, and they wereoff again, making for the rise beyond the hollow.
Dick, however, quickly made an unpleasant discovery. His horse had beeninjured, and quickly showed signs of lameness as they struck the rise.In fact, the creature limped and betrayed signs of distress, beginningto fall back.
"Hard luck, Brad!" said Dick. "The beast is hurt, and will be scarcelyable to hobble in a few moments."
The other boy drew up somewhat, turning his head to anxiously regard hisfriend's faltering mount.
"That's right," he said. "At first I reckoned you both had come throughall right. If the horse is that lame as quick as this, it will be plumbdone up in ten minutes' time."
"I'm afraid we won't be on hand when the pursuers stop that carriage.Ten to one I'll ruin this horse if
I try to push him."
Always sympathetic for dumb beasts, Dick was hurt by every hobblingstride of the animal he bestrode.
"Keep him going, pard," urged the Texan. "This is a right desperatecase, and you'll not be to blame for the horse if he is ruined. I'm someanxious to see that the Maid of Athens gets a fair deal in the game, andI'm afraid the cards are stacked against her."
So Dick urged the faltering horse onward, and they toiled up the road onwhich they had last seen the closed carriage.
Suddenly from beyond the ridge came electrifying sounds. The air bore totheir ears the distant barking of firearms.
"I judge the scrimmage is on, Dick!" palpitated Buckhart. "The battle istaking place and we're not in it. What a howling shame!"
"Wait, Brad!" cried Dick. "I've got to quit this horse. Your animal mustcarry us both."
He leaped to the ground as the Texan pulled up. With another bound hewas up behind the Texan. The lame horse was abandoned.
"Git!" cried Buckhart.
The animal bearing the double burden responded nobly. Up the road andround the shoulder of the ridge they went.
The shooting had ceased as suddenly as it began. All was silent beforethem. That silence was ominous.
"I'm afraid we'll arrive too late," said Dick regretfully.
Soon they were dashing down the road. To the left they caught a glimpseof another brown highway, the one on which they had seen the gallopinghorsemen. It was plain that the two roads met not far beyond.
They had made no mistake in thinking it the purpose of those horsemen tointercept the carriage. The sound of firearms had told them that themeeting was not of a peaceful nature. Dick dreaded yet was anxious toknow the result.
Beyond and beneath them was a gloomy hollow. But for the clatterproduced by their own horse, they might have heard the echo of hoofbeatsreceding and dying out in the distance of that hollow. The nature of thelandscape concealed from their eyes the road that led through it andinto the rugged hills beyond.
Soon they came dashing into view of the carriage they had pursued. Itwas overthrown on its side. One of the two horses that had drawn it wasdown. The driver had managed to clear the other animal, which was takingall of his attention. He was the only human being in sight. As they cameon, he gave them an apprehensive look, seeming on the point ofabandoning the horse and taking to his heels.
"There sure has been the old blazes to pay there, Dick!" cried Brad.
All at once, as they drew near, out from the wreck of the carriageleaped a puff of smoke. A pistol spoke and a bullet sung unpleasantlynear the boys.
"Mighty bad shooting," observed the Texan.
He flung the horse to a stand. Dick was the first to leap to the ground.Advancing toward the carriage, peering forth from which he caught aglimpse of an ashen face, he cried:
"Let up on that carelessness! Are you trying to shoot up friends?"
Immediately the head and shoulders of a man rose through a shattereddoor of the carriage.
It was Sir Augustus Camberwell, and his whole appearance was that of aman so badly frightened that he was liable to do almost any freakishthing. He held in his hand the pistol with which he had fired at theapproaching lads. A bit of smoke still curled from the muzzle of theweapon.
"Really is--is it you--my--my dear boys?" he chattered, seeming to shakeall over like a man with the palsy. "I--I thought it was--those ruffiansreturned to--to finish me up, don't you understand."
"Yes, we understand," said Dick. "You lost your wits completely. Luckyfor us that your hand shook so you couldn't hit a house when you fired."
"I--I hope you will pardon me."
"We'll have to. What's happened here?"
"Ruffians, highwaymen, cutthroats dashed upon us! Shot down one of ourhorses! Tried to murder me! Fell on Cavendish and dragged him forth!Seized the girl! Upset the carriage! That's about all I know, don't youknow. I'm hurt. I fancy they thought me killed. I kept still. They left.Cavendish is gone. Girl is gone. Confound the girl! She made all thetrouble. Cavendish was a fool! I told him so."
"Why did you leave Athens?"
"Dangerous there. Greeks followed us to hotel. Knew a quiet place in alittle village where Charlie and the girl could stay till he got readyto quit his foolishness. Thought the Greeks had gone to notify theauthorities, and raise a row. Thought they were satisfied after theyfound where we were stopping. Saw nothing of them. Improved theopportunity to get away."
It was not the habit of Sir Augustus to express himself clearly andconcisely, but his condition of nervousness seemed to jerk the words outof him in an astonishingly crisp manner.
"What do you mean by saying that Cavendish and the girl could stay inyour quiet little village until he quit his foolishness?" demanded Dick."Do you intend to convey the idea that he was not going to marryFlavia?"
"Marry her?" cried Camberwell. "How ridiculous! Why, he would disgracehis family, don't you know!"
Dick Merriwell's eyes blazed with anger.
"Then it is evident at last that Charles Cavendish is as great ascoundrel as Sir Augustus Camberwell!" he said, in deep disgust.
"What, sir--what?" gasped the Englishman, in astonishment. "How dare youuse such language to me!"
"Give it to him, pard!" advised Brad, who was standing near, holding thehorse. "Tell him a few things good and plain."
"You got off too easily," said Dick. "They should have hanged you to thelimb of a tree--and Cavendish with you!"
Sir Augustus choked and spluttered.
"Do you know whom you're addressing?" he fumed.
"Yes; I'm addressing an old reprobate--a miserable old toad! I know yourrecord, Camberwell. I know that you disgraced your family in England. Iknow you have left a track of wretchedness and ruin behind you allthrough life. And now you connive with a young reprobate to deceive aninnocent and trusting girl! You plot to break her heart and destroy her!I cannot find words to tell you exactly what I do think of you. Youought to get twenty years in a Greek prison--you and Cavendish."
"Be careful!" snorted Sir Augustus, rising to his full height andclambering forth from the smashed carriage, while he shook his pistol atthe daring American lad. "I have money and influence--and friends inGreece."
"I don't care what you have; you have entered into a dastardly plot, andI hope to see you properly punished."
"I knew nothing of it to begin with," averred the Englishman. "Charliesent for me. I was his father's friend. Of course, I brought myinfluence to bear to have him released. I had no part in forging theletter. That was done before I knew Cavendish was in Athens. The girlknew the letter was forged. Don't think she is such an innocentlittle----"
"That's enough!" blazed Dick, taking a step toward the man.
Involuntarily Sir Augustus lifted the hand that contained the pistol.Like a flash the boy grasped the weapon, turned its muzzle aside andwrenched it from the grasp of the Englishman.
"You're not fit to handle such dangerous playthings," he said.
Brad had made a move to assist Dick, but he stopped, a grim smile on hisface, for he saw his friend needed no aid.
"Why--why, you're worse than the ruffians!" gasped Sir Augustus.
"Look here," said the fearless American boy, "you had better keep adecent tongue in your vile mouth! Don't say a nasty word about Flavia,unless you're anxious to get hurt. Cavendish is a rascal, like yourself.He has led her to believe it is his intention to marry her. There is noquestion about that, for she told us so. She has fled from Maro, whowould have married her any day, to this English reprobate, who onlymeans to deceive her. But I fancy that Cavendish will get all that'scoming to him, for doubtless both Maro and Tyrus, the uncle of the girl,are with the band that dropped on you here. It is mighty doubtful if youever set eyes on Charles Cavendish again."
"If they dare injure him they'll suffer for it!" cried the Englishman."If they are wise, they'll set him free without delay. I hope they dokeep the girl, for he's crazy over her, and I can't swear he wouldn't befoo
lish enough to marry her."
Dick turned in disgust from Camberwell to the driver, who stood lookingdown mournfully at the dead horse.
"Can you speak English?" asked Merriwell.
"I spik it well," was the answer.
"Who attacked you here?"
"It was Donatus."
"Who is Donatus?"
"You never hear of him?"
"No."
"He outlaw. One time Suliote chief. Price on his head."
"And this outlaw, Donatus, led the men who attacked you here?"
"I have said it."
"How did he happen to be so near the city?"
The driver shook his head.
"Some time he come into city. See hills yonder. He stay there much.Think he go there now. Take Englishman. Englishman have friends perhaps.They pay Donatus well if ever see him 'live again."
"It's right evident," said Buckhart, "that Mr. Cavendish is in a verybad scrape."
"As he richly deserves to be," declared Dick.