It seemed that some one in the carriage observed them, for they soon decided that the horses attached to the vehicle had been forced to greater speed.

"But they can't get away from us now!" declared d.i.c.k grimly.

"What will we do when we overtake them?" questioned Brad.

"We'll hold them up and find out what they are trying to do with Flavia."

"It's a whole lot queer they were able to get away from that hotel and out of the city without any of that bunch of Greeks interfering."

"I've been thinking of that. After following them to the hotel, it seems that Maro, Tyrus, and their friends quit."

"I certain am afraid the Greek of to-day is a sure enough quitter."

"Look, Brad-look at the road yonder!"

"Hors.e.m.e.n, partner, and they're riding good and hard."

For a few moments a number of hors.e.m.e.n were in plain sight on another road, and it was plain that they were pushing their mounts. They soon disappeared from view behind an intervening ridge.

"They were Greeks," said d.i.c.k.

"Sure thing."

"The carriage has disappeared."

"That's right."

"Brad, I think the road those hors.e.m.e.n were following intersects this road somewhere beyond that ridge."

"I judge she does."

"The occupants of that carriage could not see those hors.e.m.e.n."

"Because the ridge shut out the view of the other road."

"Exactly. But I think the hors.e.m.e.n knew the carriage must come round that ridge at the western end, and I believe they mean to intercept it where the roads cross."

"Partner, I allow you have figured it out proper. That being the case--"

"Tyrus and Maro are leading the hors.e.m.e.n."

"I'll bet on it."

"In which case there is liable to be bloodshed. Camberwell and Cavendish may be butchered by the engaged uncle and lover."

"That's whatever."

"They may deserve it, but still it's our duty to prevent it, if possible."

Even while riding at full gallop the boys had managed to carry on this conversation. But now, as they reached the last declivity of the road, and were descending into the valley between the two ridges, d.i.c.k's horse stepped on a loose stone and fell as if shot.

Had not Merriwell been an expert horseman that accident might have been fatal. He shot over the head of the horse, having managed to free his feet from the stirrups with the quickness of thought itself. Striking on his feet, he managed to keep up for two springs, and, when he did fall, he regained an upright position and wheeled so swiftly that it was almost impossible to say that he had been down at all.

As the horse rose d.i.c.k had the creature by the bit and was talking soothingly to it.

Having uttered an exclamation of dismay, Buckhart reined in as soon as possible and turned about. An expression of relief shot over his rugged face as he saw his friend on his feet, holding the frightened horse by the bit.

"Good work!" shouted the delighted Texan. "It certain takes more than a little thing like that to put you down and out, partner."

d.i.c.k managed to fling himself into the saddle. As his feet found the stirrups once more, he waved his hand to Buckhart.

Brad wheeled his own horse as Merriwell came alongside, and they were off again, making for the rise beyond the hollow.

d.i.c.k, however, quickly made an unpleasant discovery. His horse had been injured, and quickly showed signs of lameness as they struck the rise.

In fact, the creature limped and betrayed signs of distress, beginning to fall back.

"Hard luck, Brad!" said d.i.c.k. "The beast is hurt, and will be scarcely able to hobble in a few moments."

The other boy drew up somewhat, turning his head to anxiously regard his friend's faltering mount.

"That's right," he said. "At first I reckoned you both had come through all right. If the horse is that lame as quick as this, it will be plumb done up in ten minutes' time."

"I'm afraid we won't be on hand when the pursuers stop that carriage.

Ten to one I'll ruin this horse if I try to push him."

Always sympathetic for dumb beasts, d.i.c.k was hurt by every hobbling stride of the animal he bestrode.

"Keep him going, pard," urged the Texan. "This is a right desperate case, and you'll not be to blame for the horse if he is ruined. I'm some anxious to see that the Maid of Athens gets a fair deal in the game, and I'm afraid the cards are stacked against her."

So d.i.c.k urged the faltering horse onward, and they toiled up the road on which they had last seen the closed carriage.

Suddenly from beyond the ridge came electrifying sounds. The air bore to their ears the distant barking of firearms.

"I judge the scrimmage is on, d.i.c.k!" palpitated Buckhart. "The battle is taking place and we're not in it. What a howling shame!"

"Wait, Brad!" cried d.i.c.k. "I've got to quit this horse. Your animal must carry us both."

He leaped to the ground as the Texan pulled up. With another bound he was up behind the Texan. The lame horse was abandoned.

"Git!" cried Buckhart.

The animal bearing the double burden responded n.o.bly. Up the road and round the shoulder of the ridge they went.

The shooting had ceased as suddenly as it began. All was silent before them. That silence was ominous.

"I'm afraid we'll arrive too late," said d.i.c.k regretfully.

Soon they were dashing down the road. To the left they caught a glimpse of another brown highway, the one on which they had seen the galloping hors.e.m.e.n. It was plain that the two roads met not far beyond.