Page:Taylor - In the Dwellings of the Wilderness.djvu/81

 Merritt straightened up and looked at him.

"How's that?" he demanded.

Said Holloway patiently:

"I thought you must have packed it, because it is not in the tomb. I was there not fifteen minutes ago. And Ibraheem was not there. He was eating his supper with—what's his name—Hafiz, the cooky. I'll bet those beggars have swiped it to loot the jewels."

Deane and Merritt answered nothing. Simultaneously they rose and made for the trenches. Holloway went after them leisurely, his hands in his pockets. Halfway down he met the two returning. Both were ejaculating profanely.

"Well?" said Holloway. "Was I right? Now there'll be the devil to pay."