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But the fellow, thinking the shining metal might be of some value to him,

put the tube in his own pocket and then took from the prisoner the silver

box of tablets.

Rob writhed and groaned at losing his possessions in this way, and while

his hands were fastened behind him tried to feel for and touch the

indicator of the traveling machine. When he found that the machine also

had been taken, his anger gave way to fear, for he realized he was in a

dangerously helpless condition.

The third Turk now drew the Record of Events from the boy's inner

pocket. He knew nothing of the springs that opened the lids, so, after a

curious glance at it, he secreted the box in the folds of his sash and

continued the search of the captive. The Character Marking Spectacles

were next abstracted, but the Turk, seeing in them nothing but

spectacles, scornfully thrust them back into Rob's pocket, while his

comrades laughed at him. The boy was now rifled of seventeen cents in

pennies, a broken pocket knife and a lead-pencil, the last article seeming

to be highly prized.

After they had secured all the booty they could find, the tall Turk, who

seemed the leader of the three, violently kicked at the prisoner with his

heavy boot. His surprise was great when the Garment of Repulsion

arrested the blow and nearly overthrew the aggressor in turn. Snatching

a dagger from his sash, he bounded upon the boy so fiercely that the

next instant the enraged Turk found himself lying upon his back three

yards away, while his dagger flew through the air and landed deep in the

desert sands.

Keep it up!" cried Rob, bitterly. "I hope you'll enjoy yourself."

The other Turks raised their comrade to his feet, and the three stared at

one another in surprise, being unable to understand how a bound

prisoner could so effectually defend himself. But at a whispered word

from the leader, they drew their long pistols and fired point blank into

Rob's face. The volley echoed sharply from the city walls, but as the

smoke drifted slowly away the Turks were horrified to see their intended

victim laughing at them.

Uttering cries of terror and dismay, the three took to their heels and

bounded towards the wall, where a gate quickly opened to receive them,

the populace feeling sure the Tatar horde was upon them.

The Master Key