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Updated: May 31, 2025
Seeing this, almost blinded by the smoke, Helmar and Osterberg dashed to the window, and, tearing away the two supports, sprang on to the sill. The supports gone, the weight of their bodies finished the work that time had begun, and with a terrible crash the wall gave way, and the companions fell with it.
As fugitives they were naturally suspicious of strangers, and he was about to speak, when he saw a slight figure step from an obscure corner. In a moment his eyes glistened, and an exclamation rose to his lips as he almost jumped forward and grasped the hand of his old chum Osterberg. George was simply thunderstruck.
The figure was so familiar that he paused and looked again. "By Jove! If I'm not very much mistaken, that's our old friend the doctor we met on the boat going to Constantinople!" Osterberg looked across at the man approaching. "You are right. It is he," he exclaimed, and they both made straight for the doctor. "Ah, my friends, we meet sooner than we anticipated.
"It is well to think. May Allah guide your thoughts into the right course! Go, and sleep well!" The two young men left Naoum's house and hurried back to the citadel; here Osterberg said good-night, and went back to his own quarters. That night Helmar did not sleep much, over and over again he thought of Naoum's offer, but with each attempt he failed to come to any decision.
Well, I'll meet you here in a couple of hours' time. I dare say by that time I shall have succeeded in changing them, and you in finding a suitable hotel." And he turned to go. "Yes, we'll be here in the ticket-office when you return," Helmar called out after him; "don't be longer than you can help." As soon as he had gone, Charlie Osterberg and Helmar left in search of quarters.
Then Helmar went again through his story, and Osterberg, when it was finished, in his turn told him that the peaceful life at the bank had not suited him, so he had thrown it up and got employment with the British army, attached to the Engineers. Before the two young men had finished exchanging confidences, the officer, having arranged the disposition of the prisoners, again approached.
Helmar and Osterberg had written to their respective parents explaining what they had done, and giving their reasons for their actions. Mark Arden had carefully abstained from leaving any trace of his whereabouts, he had made up his mind to await developments.
Osterberg was a simple fellow, believing good of every one, and Mark, with a tact born of a scheming mind, had fostered this trust in him, carefully keeping hidden any of his doings which might open his friend's eyes. His object, so far, was not quite clear even to himself, but when it was settled that they were to journey together, he realized the benefit of what he had done.
"And here I am taking refuge like the others, with the proprietor of this café," he wound up. "Not quite so eventful a time as yours, George, is it?" "And what are we going to do now? Do you think we are safe for any length of time? Surely they must attack us in due course?" said George. "I think we shall be unmolested for a while," replied Osterberg.
With this information he made his way through the slums until he came to the Governmental portion of the town. This he passed through, and at length reached the west gate. On making inquiries there, he was directed to the camp he sought, and with some difficulty discovered that Osterberg was with the troops.
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