Their next hop took them to Lagos, Nigeria, and then came Leopoldville, deep in the heart of the Belgian Congo. The following day they took off for their final destination, Aden, Arabia.

As they flew over a barren African plain, Alec’s thoughts turned to the trip ahead. According to Mr. Volence they were to take a train from Aden to Haribwan, which was located just southwest of the Great Central Desert. It was there that they would meet Mr. Volence’s friend, who had assured them that he would be able to acquire a caravan and a guide to take them across the desert.

It was late afternoon when the steward touched Alec on the shoulder. “There’s the Bab el Mandeb,” he said, pointing to a large expanse of water ahead. “It’s just a short hop across to Arabia, so we’ll be in Aden in less than a half-hour.”

“Are we the only ones getting off there?” Alec asked, nodding toward his friends.

“On the contrary, practically all the passengers are bound for Aden. We’ll take on some more there tomorrow, and then it’s Cairo and across the northern coast of Africa to Morocco. We’ll be back at La Guardia inside of six days with any luck at all.”

“That’s certainly getting around to a lot of places,” Alec said.

Soon they had left Africa behind and were crossing the channel of Bab el Mandeb. “It connects the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea,” Alec explained to Henry. He had been through it twice, as his ships had taken that route to and from Bombay, India, when he had visited his Uncle Ralph. As Alec’s thoughts turned to the Drake and that disastrous home voyage, he became depressed. To think that only he and a few others had been rescued of all the passengers and crew. And little had they known what was ahead of them when they had docked at Aden.

He could see the white buildings of the city ahead. His gaze turned northward, for it would be that direction in which they would go.

The plane circled slowly above its base. “Well, here we are,” mumbled Henry.

Mr. Volence, winking at Alec, said, “Only the beginning, Henry. We won’t waste much time in Aden … try to catch the first train to Haribwan that we can get. After just sitting all this time, I’m itching to pick up the trail.”

“The trail of the Black,” added Alec. He paused, then added confidently, “We’ll find him.”

“I wish I could share your optimism, Alec,” Mr. Volence said. “However, I can assure you that we won’t leave Arabia until we’ve made a thorough search.”

They were coming in now, and the plane glided smoothly toward the water. The silver hull cut the channel and the water streamed up and covered the window. A few minutes later they were taxiing to the dock. As the plane was cabled, the passengers rose from their seats, each concerned with his own business. For days they had lived in a small confined world of their own, but now it had ended and they were eager to get along.

After passing through customs, Alec and his companions awaited the car which would take them to their hotel. Ibn al Khaldun came out of the building and headed for a black sedan. He was wearing a white suit and shirt, open at the neck. His bald head was bare.