atly puzzled.

By this time the boy was fairly trembling with excitement. He longed
to recover this valuable weapon, and feared that at any moment the
curious Turk would discover its use. He held out his hand toward the
tube, and tried to say, by motions, that he would show the fellow how
to use it. The man seemed to understand, by he would not let the
glittering instrument out of his possession.

Rob was almost in despair, when he happened to notice upon his hand the
ruby ring given him by the chief. Drawing the jewel from his finger he
made offer, by signs, that he would exchange it for the tube.

The Turk was much pleased with the idea, and nodded his head
repeatedly, holding out his hand for the ring. Rob had little
confidence in the man's honor, but he was so eager to regain the tube
that he decided to trust him. So he threw the ring to the top of the
wall, where the Turk caught it skilfully; but when Rob held out his
hand for the tube the scoundrel only laughed at him and began to
scramble to his feet in order to beat a retreat. Chance, however,
foiled this disgraceful treachery, for in his hurry the Turk allowed
the tube to slip from his grasp, and it rolled off the wall and fell
upon the sand at Rob's very feet.

The robber turned to watch its fall and, filled with sudden anger, the
boy grabbed the weapon, pointed it at his enemy, and pressed the
button. Down tumbled the Turk, without a cry, and lay motionless at
the foot of the wall.

Rob's first thought was to search the pockets of his captive, and to
his delight he found and recovered his box of food tablets. The Record
of Events and the traveling machine were doubtless in the possession of
the other robbers, but Rob did not despair of recovering them, now that
he had the tube to aid him.

Day was now breaking, and several of the Tatars appeared and examined
the body of the Turk with grunts of surprise, for there was no mark
upon him to show how he had been slain. Supposing him to be dead, they
tossed him aside and forgot all about him.

Rob had secured his ruby ring again, and going to the chief's tent he
showed the jewel to the guard and was at once admitted. The
black-bearded chieftain was still reclining upon his pillows, but Rob
bowed before him, and by means of signs managed to ask for a band of
warriors to assist him in assaulting the town. The chieftain appeared
to doubt the wisdom of the enterprise, not being able to understand ho