Without a word the man seized the lad.

Other hands assisted, and Timokles was hurried away from the village, past palm trees and resting camels, toward the north.

Breathlessly the men dragged him a long distance over the rising ground.

No word of explanation was uttered.

Timokles was swept along, till at length the silent, determined company came to a solitary, ruined building.
Timokles was pulled over the fallen stones, across what had once been the court of the dwelling.