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BRAVE AND BOLD. 7
and saw no more of him during the voyage across the
Mediterranean.
Ismailia was reached safely and quickly, and six days
later Tom arrived in Aden.
Here an adventure awaited him which gave Nellie Bly
a decided advantage over him, and placed him in the
most perilous position of his life.
CHAPTER V.
A MEETING WITH NELLIE.
It was in Aden that Tom once more met Nellie Bly.
He had scarcely been an hour in the place when they
met face to face.
"VVhy, I thought I had left you far behind." laughed
the pretty World correspondent. in evident surprise.
“And I thought that I had beaten you," responded
Tom, well pleased to meet Miss Bly again. but a little
chagrined that he had been mistaken on this important
point. “yet here we are againssneck and neck. How does
it happen?”
"There have been several choices of route between
Southampton and this place. and we have not taken the
same ones always. but I am amazed that you have
kept up with me: for I did not think it possible that any
better time could be made than mine.”
“Oh, I don't intend to let you beat me,” said Tom.
"You’re smarter than I thought you," laughed Nellie.
“Thank you.”
“But I shall be in
that.”
“We shall see.”
“I have all the influence that a great newspaper can
give. and unlimited funds.”
“And I have Yankee brains and pluck, and am not
short of funds either.”
Nellie gazed admiringly upon our hero’s handsome,
animated face.
“VVell. if you should happen to get home first, you will
have my hearty congratulations as soon as I meet you."
“Thank you; but you see, I intend to be one of the
admiring‘throng to greet you on your arrival in New
York.” -
"That can hardly be," said Miss Bly, with a determined
shake of her pretty head. ,
Tom did not dispute her again,'but asked:
“VVell, how have you enjoyed your trip so far P"
“Oh, immensely." was the animated reply. “In France
I met Jules Verne. the. great novelist. the feat of whose
hero I am trying to cast in the shade. I had a long talk
with him and his wife at their home, and he wished me
all sorts of luck in not very good English."
“I wish I could have seen him," said Tom, who had
always been a great admirer of Verne: "but l suppose he
woul(l have given me the cold shoulder with true Iirench
gallantry, because I was attempting to outdo the achieve-
ments of one of the loveliest of my couutrywomen. “
“I guess you have a spice of l“rench in you. too.‘
smiled Nellie. “lhit a truce to c<unpliments-Vthey dont
go for much with me. Let us talk about personal mat-
New York ahead of you, for all
“I thought you would consider my compliment a per-
sonal matter."
“Nonsense. Tom-if you will allow me to call you so.
You mustn't try to flirt with me-Dr. Hauglit-;m's pretty
daughter. whose life you saved, and who seemed so fond
of you, might hear of it."
“Nonsense,” said Tom.
“There is very little that escapes me." replied Miss
Bly, “although you did-and I have heard all about your
adventure on the train with that scoundrel Duftield."
“Indeed !”
“Yes. and I congratulate you on your singular escape.
You must be as fortunate as you are plucky."
“VVell, I guess I've seen the last of him, at all events.”
“That's just what I want to tal’ to you about. I'm
afraid you haven't.”
“VVhy, he could hardly follow me as you have." as-
serted Tom, confidently, “for I left him shaking his list
at me. standing beside the railroad track, while I went
on in the train."
“Oh. yes, he could." interrupted Nellie; "and he did."
“How ?" demanded Tom. in surprise.
"He chartered a special engine, and reached London
as soon as we did."
“Chartered an engine !"
“Yes; he was fortunate enough to be able to do so
in very quick time. it seems. Now, what puzzles me is
where this man. who only a very short time ago was an
impecunious employee of the World, and was discharged
for dishonesty, has procured the money for such lavish
expenditures. And further. what can be his motive in
pursuing you so vindictively? l have no doubt it was
he who attacked you on board the Augusta Virtoria.
though it could not be proyen."
“Nor I. Miss Nellie: and I think I can give a guess
as to his motive. too.”
“Inde ‘ 1? May I hear it .7“
In rep y Tom frankly informed her of his suspicions of
his uncle. and his reasons for believing that Dunield was
in complicity with him.
“I believe that you are right." said Bliss llly. when he
had finished. “XV'l1y, there is material for a romance in
this story. Tom. you must beware of that man.“
And a look of anxiety appeared upon the ll"0rld cor-
respondents pretty face that flattered our somewhat sus-
ceptihle hero not a little. ‘
“I'm not afraid of him." he laughed. “Besides. he is
hundreds of miles behind us by this time. if he has not
given up the chase in disgust."
“It may be." returned Nellie. gravely. “but. on the
other hand. he may he almost at your elbow in disguise."
At this moment the stranger to whom reference has
been made, passed and gave Tom another searching;
glance. also bestowing upon Nellie a glance in which
there seemed much more of disfavor than of admiration.
“XYliat a vindictive-looking maul" sluuldered the girl.
“Really. there was something in his gl:u1ce that gzive me
a cold chill. hit. pshaw l" she added. quickly. changing
her tone, "it won’t do for me to get superstitious. nor
for me to stand here all day talking to you.
of business on hand, an(l can't wait any longer.
rcr'n1'r. then. Tom. ' i
wonder?"
l have lots
‘ xlu
W hen shall we tuo meet again. I
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