ng insects, spiders,
scorpions, and the like, and crammed with learned descriptions
bristling with Latin names; and he showed such an innocent delight in
his new acquisition that Dick's mind was made up. He did not like
Germans, but this old chap was so naive, so full of human-kindness, so
innocent and ignorant of all but his science that it would have been
infamous not to have warned him of what was happening. For Dick could
see plainly enough that if nothing were said this poor kind-hearted old
scientist would have to bear the blame when the gigantic swindle was at
length discovered, and the victimized public demanded a scapegoat.

He lifted the fly of the tent and looked out. There was no light in any
of the tents, and the sound of snoring came from them in chorus.
Farther away by the still flickering embers of the campfire could be
dimly seen a dozen or more recumbent forms, where the native boys
huddled. The waning moon was just rising, and except for the snores all
was quiet as only the desert can be; yet Dick, when he turned once more
towards the professor, stood with a warning finger on his lips, and
spoke but in a whisper. For he knew that he and the man he spoke to
were the only honest men in this lonely camp; and that the others would
not hesitate to put either himself or the professor out of the way if
once they suspected that their villainy was known, he never doubted.
Not that he was afraid; but here in the wilds, with six well-armed and
determined men against him, he saw the need for caution. The professor
he did not count not just then!

The old man still sat at his little camp-table, magnifying glass in
hand, and at Dick's low "Hist," he turned a bland, inquiring gaze in
his direction. Dick came close to him, and with head half averted so
that he could listen for the slightest sound outside, he whispered his
story. Not a sound came either from the camp or from his listener till
his brief tale was ended.

"They are all in it all rogues together, sir," he whispered in
conclusion; "and it's part of a big swindle that people will blame you
for."

And for the first time since he began his tale he looked the professor
full in the face. He started with amazement as he did so: for now he
saw not a benign, smiling old scientist, beaming good nature and
affability through his spectacles, but a stern-faced, iron-mouthed man,
whose jaw was set with grim inflexibility, and whose eyes seemed
actually to blaze wi