"We can't wait to see!" Will answered. "We've a friend of our own
in a tight place. The best we can do is to rescue you--"

"I don't need to be rescued!"

"--to rescue you--take you back to Tarsus, where you'll be safe until
the trouble's over--and then hurry to the help of our own man."

"Who is your own man? Tell me about him."

"He's a prince."

"Really?"

"No, really an earl--Earl of Montdidier. White. White all through
to the wish-bone. Whitest man I ever camped with. He's the goods."

"If you'd said less I'd have skinned you for an ingrate!" Fred
announced. "Monty is a man men love."

Miss Vanderman nodded. "Where is he?"

"On the way to a place called Zeitoon," answered Will.

"He's a hostage, held by Armenians in the hope of putting pressure
on the Turks. Kagig--the Armenians, that's to say--let us go to
rescue you, knowing that he was sufficiently important for
their purpose."

"And you left your friend to help me?"