Dick Merriwell's Pranks Part 55

"No. He's a great bluffer. He likes to make people believe he has done wonderful things and been a gay old rascal in his day. I am satisfied that his story about having a harem once was pure fabrication."

"Mebbe you're right."

"I'm confident of it."

"What's his graft?"

"Perhaps it's graft, perhaps it's joking. It may be that he simply enjoys leading the professor on. But I have a scheme. If we can carry it out, we'll teach Zenas Gunn a lesson and have some fun on our own hook.

He'll never contemplate buying another harem."

The Texan was keenly interested now.

"What's the scheme, pard?"

"If we can rig up a job with Colonel Stringer, we'll furnish a harem for the professor to purchase, and we'll give him the shock of his life."

Brad's face began to glow and his eyes to gleam. His mouth expanded in a smile.

"Mebbe that's a good idea," he nodded. "Just tell me how it can be done."

He drew up a chair and sat down near d.i.c.k. For fully thirty minutes the boys had their heads close together, talking in low tones.

At intervals Buckhart laughed heartily.

The professor came in and found them thus.

"What are you up to now, boys?" he asked. "What are you whispering about?"

"You will find out in time, professor," answered d.i.c.k.

And both lads laughed.

CHAPTER XXVII-THE PROFESSOR'S GAME

Early in the afternoon of the following day, Professor Gunn informed d.i.c.k and Brad that he was going out with a friend to inspect some ancient Egyptian relics.

"Take us with you," urged Merriwell.

"Do take us," implored Buckhart.

"We're interested in relics," said d.i.c.k.

"Mightily interested," affirmed Brad.

"No, no, boys," said the old man, holding up his hands; "I can't take you."

"Why not?" they both demanded.

"Well-er-hem!-because you have not been invited, you see. These relics are a private collection, in a private house, and it is not the privilege of the general public to view them. I have obtained the privilege of looking them over only by great effort. It is a great concession to me on account of my standing as an educator in my own country. What I shall behold to-day will add greatly to my knowledge. I am sure I shall return, after examining the relics, a much wiser man.

Hum! ha!"

"I hope you do, professor," said d.i.c.k significantly, although the old pedagogue failed to note any underlying meaning in his words.

"Yes, I hope so," put in Brad.

From their window, they watched until they saw the professor, accompanied by a small, quick-stepping man in brown, leave the hotel.

"There he goes with the colonel, pard," said Buckhart. "We've got to move lively to get there ahead of them."

"Colonel Stringer will look out for that. He'll take plenty of time in conducting the professor by a roundabout course. Come on."

They paused a moment to speak to Budthorne and Nadia, who were to remain at the hotel.

Near the hotel a close carriage of English make was waiting. They sprang in and were off. Here and there through the streets of Cairo they went, coming at last to a house in a quiet quarter.

The door of this house, set low and deep in the wall, opened for them as soon as they left the carriage.

A ruddy-faced Englishman, John Coddington by name, the Eastern agent of a London house, welcomed them as soon as they entered.

"You see I was expecting you, boys," he said. "My friend, Stringer, told me when you would be likely to arrive."

"Is everything ready?" asked d.i.c.k.

"Yes, indeed. I have a lot of prize beauties all ready for the game. Oh, they are fine ones!"

"But you must make us the champion beauties of them all," said Merriwell.

"That's whatever," chuckled Brad. "We must be the peaches of your harem."

"I'll do my best. I have a customer waiting. Follow me."

They pa.s.sed through winding ways and came finally into a room where a little Frenchman waited, amid a collection of feminine garments.

"Here they are, Louis," said Coddington. "Make them into handsome girls.

Show your skill."

"Make us handsome, with the exception of our faces," said d.i.c.k "Those must be as hideous as possible."

"But ze faces will be covaired by ze veils," protested Louis.

"Not all the time," smiled d.i.c.k. "Some one is going to get a peep beneath my veil."

"Mine, too," nodded Brad. "I want a mug on me that would scare a dog into a fit."