diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/65608-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/65608-0.txt | 10620 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 10620 deletions
diff --git a/old/65608-0.txt b/old/65608-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index b592ea7..0000000 --- a/old/65608-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10620 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Great Green Diamond, by Inspector Stark - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Great Green Diamond - Thief Against Thief - -Author: Inspector Stark - -Release Date: June 13, 2021 [eBook #65608] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: David Edwards, Susan Carr and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT GREEN DIAMOND *** - - - - - The Biggest Line of Copyrighted Detective Literature Published - - - THE MAGNET LIBRARY OF FASCINATING DETECTIVE STORIES - - This line has become famous for its excellent stories of the - detection of crime. Of late, it has taken truly remarkable strides - in the public’s favor. The reason for this is that every book - is a marvel of its kind. They are high-class tales, not of the - “blood-and-thunder” order, but with plausible plots which hold - the reader fairly captivated with breathless expectation. Among - these are the stories of the adventures of Nick Carter and his - clever assistants; of “Old Spicer,” the clever private detective, - whose exploits are among the most remarkable ever performed by - any detective. If you are in search of good, interesting matter, - a decided change from that to which you have been accustomed, - purchase a few of these titles. They will not only please and - interest you, but will give you a clear insight into the methods of - the various classes of criminals. - - - PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK - - - To be Published During April - - 441--The Ring of Iron By Inspector Stark - 440--The Lure of Gold By Nicholas Carter - 439--The “L” Mystery By Dick Stewart - 438--Behind a Throne By Nicholas Carter - - - To be Published During March - - 437--A King Among Crooks By J. K. Stafford - 436--Under the Tiger’s Claws By Nicholas Carter - 435--The Great Green Diamond By Inspector Stark - 434--Through the Cellar Wall By Nicholas Carter - - - To be Published During February - - 433--The Human Cat By Dick Stewart - 432--The “Limited” Hold-Up By Nicholas Carter - 431--Shot From Above By J. K. Stafford - 430--Marked for Death By Nicholas Carter - - - To be Published During January - - 429--On the Trail of “Big Finger” By Scott Campbell - 428--Below the Dead Line By Scott Campbell - 427--The Sign of the Dagger By Nicholas Carter - 426--The Western Ferret By Inspector Stark - 425--The Crime of the Camera By Nicholas Carter - - * * * * * - - 424--The Belrox Mystery By Dick Stewart - 423--The Terrible Thirteen By Nicholas Carter - 422--The Crimson Blind By Fred M. White - 421--A Triple Identity By Nicholas Carter - 420--The Nitroglycerin League By Inspector Stark - 419--The Bloodstone Terror By Nicholas Carter - 418--The Man Who Hid By Dick Stewart - 417--A Victim of Deceit By Nicholas Carter - 416--The Broken Pen By J. K. Stafford - 415--The Key Ring Clew By Nicholas Carter - 414--A Modern Sorceress By Inspector Stark - 413--The Four-Fingered Glove By Nicholas Carter - 412--Checkmating a Countess By Dick Stewart - 411--The Boulevard Mutes By Nicholas Carter - 410--Shadowed ’Round the World By J. K. Stafford - 409--Nick Carter’s Double Catch By Nicholas Carter - 408--Only a Headless Nail By Dick Stewart - 407--The Pretty Stenographer Mystery By Nicholas Carter - 406--The Eye of Gold By Inspector Stark - 405--The Plot That Failed By Nicholas Carter - 404--The Red Stain By Scott Campbell - 403--The Marked Hand By Nicholas Carter - 402--The Albert Gate Affair By Louis Tracy - 401--The Fatal Legacy By Louis Tracy - 400--The Living Mask By Nicholas Carter - 399--An Oath of Vengeance By John K. Stafford - 398--Under a Black Veil By Nicholas Carter - 397--A Crime Without a Name By Dick Stewart - 396--A Baffled Oath By Nicholas Carter - 395--A Kentucky Moonshiner By Inspector Stark - 394--Playing for a Fortune By Nicholas Carter - 393--The Convent Mystery By John K. Stafford - 392--With Links of Steel By Nicholas Carter - - - - - THE GREAT GREEN DIAMOND; - - OR, - - THIEF AGAINST THIEF - - BY - INSPECTOR STARK - - AUTHOR OF - - “A Deed of Darkness,” “The Mafia’s Victim,” “The Telegraph Clew,” - “The Shadow of an Assassin,” “A Kentucky Moonshiner,” etc. - - [Illustration: Colophon] - - NEW YORK - STREET & SMITH, Publishers - 79-89 SEVENTH AVENUE - - - - - Copyright, 1906 - By STREET & SMITH - - The Great Green Diamond - - - - - CONTENTS - - PAGE - I. HENRY STOLBURST’S FEARS. 5 - II. PRINCESS ZULIMA. 12 - III. STOLBURST’S VISITOR. 19 - IV. MIKE QUICK’S DIVE. 26 - V. ENOCH COOK AND HIS PAL. 33 - VI. AJEEB’S NEW ALLY. 39 - VII. TRAPPED. 47 - VIII. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. 54 - IX. A TERRIBLE SURPRISE. 62 - X. ZULIMA AND THE DETECTIVE. 70 - XI. AJEEB SEES BURT. 74 - XII. COOK AND KIDD. 80 - XIII. MIKE QUICK’S MISSION. 86 - XIV. BURT KNOCKED OUT. 93 - XV. AJEEB’S GRIM HUMOR. 100 - XVI. A WISE BARTENDER. 107 - XVII. AT MONTE MURPHY’S. 114 - XVIII. MURPHY’S DEATH. 120 - XIX. BURT’S NEW ALLY. 126 - XX. IN AJEEB’S CLUTCHES. 134 - XXI. FRANK HARE’S MISSION. 143 - XXII. DETH KILLED BY ENOCH. 151 - XXIII. THE BIRD FLOWN. 158 - XXIV. HARE’S DISGUISE PENETRATED. 167 - XXV. ZULIMA BREAKS DOWN. 176 - XXVI. BULL BLAIR’S ESCAPE 184 - XXVII. BILLY BARRY, OF LONDON. 191 - XXVIII. MIKE QUICK GIVEN A SHOCK. 198 - XXIX. PIERRE JACQUET’S REVENGE. 204 - XXX. THE PRINCESS VISITS STOLBURST. 212 - XXXI. CONCLUSION. 218 - - - - - THE GREAT GREEN DIAMOND - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - HENRY STOLBURST’S FEARS. - - -Up the dingy flights of stairs in an old-fashioned down-town office -building, Mr. Henry Stolburst mounted with a vigor and energy that -belied the signs of age in his visage. Tall, spare, handsome, with -remarkably bright and keen eyes, he yet looked older than his -thirty-five years. This appearance of age was due to his heavily -lined face and his white hair. But close observation would have -revealed the fact that the lines on his face were those of care and -worry, rather than of age, and the color of his hair was of such a -peculiar shade of white that the observer would have felt perplexed -by the conflicting evidences of age and youthful vigor. - -With never a thought of his appearance, however, Henry Stolburst -rapidly climbed the stairs until he stood before a door on which -appeared the simple inscription: - - +--------------------------------------------------------------+ - | | - | | - | | - | BURT CROMWELL | - | | - | | - | SPECIAL AGENT | - +--------------------------------------------------------------+ - -Pausing but a moment, Stolburst opened the door and entered. Burt, -although this was but a branch office of his agency, happened to -be seated at the desk, and glanced up as his visitor crossed the -threshold. - -“Mr. Cromwell?” asked the newcomer interrogatively. - -“That’s my name.” - -The stranger handed Burt his card. - -“What!” said the latter, “are you Mr. Henry Stolburst, the African -explorer?” - -“Yes.” - -“I listened to one of your lectures on the Dark Continent with a good -deal of interest the other evening.” - -“Yes,” smiled Stolburst, “I do know a few interesting facts about -Africa.” - -“Can I serve you in any way?” asked the detective. - -“I trust you can.” - -“What do you require?” - -“That you save my life.” - -Burt looked at his visitor in considerable surprise. Was the man -crazy? That thought struck him at once. Having seen Stolburst on -the lecture platform, he knew his visitor to be none other than the -explorer. - -The latter interpreted the other’s inquiring glance. - -“You think me bereft of sense?” he quietly asked. - -“No,” said Burt; “but how can your life be possibly in danger while -you are in a large community like this?” - -“Nevertheless, it is. I have fought against savage tribes, and not -more savage beasts. Several times have I barely escaped assassination -by poison, knife, and other weapons; but never, in the jungles of -Africa, was my life in more danger than at the present moment. I am -not surprised you should think my statement a very rash one, yet it -is true, nevertheless.” - -As he spoke, the explorer and lecturer became pale even to the lips. - -“Perhaps if I heard your story,” said Burt, “I might more readily -understand whether your peril is fancied or not.” - -“Would to God it were the former,” said Stolburst, and he gave a -great start as he concluded speaking. - -“What’s the matter?” - -“Nothing; I only fancied I saw his greenish, snaky eyes looking into -mine.” - -“Whose eyes?” - -“Those of Ajeeb.” - -“You don’t mean the chess automaton?” - -“This is no jesting matter. The eyes I speak of belong to a living -creature.” - -“I’m, as yet, in the dark as to this person’s identity.” - -“Let me tell you there is in Abyssinia an order known as that of -the Blue Nile. It is secretly abetted by the priests, and even the -king, who fears it, is a member. This society is ruled by religious -fanatics, to whom murder is simply a pastime. The Order of the Blue -Nile has command of almost untold riches. - -“I incurred the anger of these men, and they have sent right here to -this country some of their members, I know not how many, to strike me -down.” - -“You have not said a single word about this Ajeeb,” remarked the -detective. - -“He is in New York.” - -“Is he any more to be feared than the others?” asked Burt. - -“Ajeeb is the head of the society,” replied the traveler. - -“You have seen him?” - -“How else would I know that he is in this city? He visited me this -morning.” - -“Did he threaten you?” - -A sad smile passed over the face of the man who had so often faced -death in many forms. - -“No,” he replied, “it was not necessary to threaten me; I know what -his pursuit of me means.” - -“Tell me all about it, and then I may discover a way to circumvent -your enemies.” - -“First, I wish you to promise not to disclose any revelations I shall -make now or at any other time.” - -“Willingly.” - -“Well,” said the traveler, “in a jungle near the city of Gondar, -which is the chief and capital city of Abyssinia, stands a temple, -the existence of which is known to few outside the members of this -Order of the Blue Nile. In this temple is an immense wooden idol -named Jobu. I never saw a more hideous-looking object than this same -idol. His followers say Jobu is over a thousand years old. - -“According to their belief, one day or another this monstrosity will -be endowed with life, and help his devotees to capture all Africa. - -“No European is allowed to gaze upon this idol, in front of whom a -fire of perfumed herbs is kept burning night and day. The richest -garments and jewels cover the inanimate Jobu. I saw the idol by -bribing one of his watchers, for, mind you, Jobu has quite a suite of -servants. - -“In some way or another the high priest, Ajeeb, heard of the -watcher’s infidelity. They have but one manner of punishing their -unfortunate victims. - -“They are slowly tortured to death!” - -Stolburst shivered from head to foot as he finished. - -“Why,” said the detective, “they cannot possibly desire to put you to -death simply because you gazed upon their idol?” - -“No.” - -“Other Europeans beside you must have seen Jobu.” - -“For that matter,” said the explorer, “I had two white men with me -when I visited the infidel shrine.” - -“You have not, then, finished your story,” remarked Burt. - -“The part most interesting to me is to come,” said Stolburst. - -“I am all attention.” - -“In the eye of this idol,” continued the explorer, “was a diamond -having, queer to say, a distinctively greenish tint. The stone is -larger and certainly more valuable than the great British crown -jewel. It is claimed I stole the jewel.” - -“Did you?” asked the detective. - -Stolburst changed color. - -“I purchased it,” he said, after a pause, “from the man in charge.” - -“You must have known he had no right to dispose of it.” - -“People do not have much scruple when they deal with untutored -barbarians,” replied Stolburst. - -“It is because of the theft you fear Ajeeb?” asked Burt. - -“Yes; could I return the stone all would be well.” - -“Then you have disposed of it?” - -“No.” - -“Did you lose it?” - -“The diamond was stolen from me by one of my servants, a man named -Dick Kidd.” - -Burt smiled. - -“Kidd,” he said, “seems a peculiarly fitting name for a thief.” - -“Now,” said Stolburst, not minding the interruption, “I want you to -find this man, and make him give up the stone.” - -“Does he know it was stolen?” asked the detective. - -“I believe not.” - -“If he does,” remarked Burt, “he will refuse to give it up. By the -way, is the man in this part of the country?” - -“I think both he and his fellow servant, Sam Henry, are here in New -York. It was here I engaged them before making my last trip into -Africa.” - -“How am I to know the pair?” - -“I have provided for that.” - -Stolburst took from his pocket two photographs, which he handed to -the detective. - -Burt looked at the photographs attentively. - -“I know that fellow; that is, I used to know him. He was a schoolmate -of mine, but he went to the bad upon reaching manhood.” - -“That,” said the explorer, “is Sam Henry. Do you know the other?” - -“No.” - -“If you can run across Henry, I guess you’ll find Kidd not far off.” - -“I have your word for it that if the diamond eye of the idol is -recovered and given you it will be turned over to its proper -custodians?” - -“Yes. Why do you ask?” - -“Because if the promise were not given I would not move in the -matter. Now as to the man you know as Sam Henry, if he is the same -party I take him to be, his correct name is Enoch Cook.” - -“Do you think you can find him?” asked Stolburst. - -“If he is in New York I can.” - -“Both he and Kidd are very desperate men. I have seen their courage -proven more than a score of times.” - -“I never yet saw the man I feared,” remarked Burt, with quiet -dignity. “As a boy Enoch Cook was a great boaster. How long was he in -your employ?” - -“Henry was with me two years.” - -“I have missed Enoch from New York just about that length of time.” - -“I hope the men are identical; it will make your work so much easier.” - -“Did you promise Ajeeb to return the diamond?” - -“No,” replied the explorer, with some hesitation. - -“Why not?” - -“I thought it better to deny ever having had the accursed gem in my -possession.” - -“Then,” said the detective, “you may have made a fatal mistake.” - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - PRINCESS ZULIMA. - - -Seated in the neat and cozy parlor of an up-town flat was a very -dark-skinned young woman and her maid. The former was almost black, -but her features were oval, her lips small, and her hair straight and -long. The maid was a French girl and rather pretty. - -The pair were startled by a loud rap at the door. - -“Open the door, Marie.” - -The French girl obeyed. A small man with dark skin and still darker -eyes entered. His eyes were of extraordinary size, and for all that -they had a piercing expression. - -“You!” - -The expression seemed to have been painfully wrung from the woman’s -heart. The visitor laughed. - -“Zulima,” he said, “I would be alone with you.” - -Marie did not recognize the strange language used by the pair. For -all that she noticed a hunted and frightened expression in her -mistress’ eyes. - -“Go!” - -Zulima spoke in English, and waved her maid from the apartment. -Very reluctantly Marie obeyed the command. She had taken an instant -dislike to the visitor. - -Marie was smart beyond her class, and knew the newcomer meant her -mistress no good. She determined to remain in the hallway, where she -would be within call. - -“So, my pretty song-bird,” said the visitor, when the door closed -behind Marie, “I guess you did not expect to see me so soon?” - -“I believed, uncle, you were in Gondar,” said Zulima. - -“Your Uncle Ajeeb, you see, could not bear to have you out of his -sight.” - -“You do not come to drag me back to Abyssinia?” - -“Would you not like to go?” - -“No.” - -“Has this Western world made you forget that the son of our good King -John would make you queen of his harem?” - -“Did he send you to bring me back?” said Zulima, greatly affrighted -at the prospect. - -“He is the son of a king.” - -“And is that any reason why I should become his slave?” - -“I am your guardian.” - -“True, Uncle Ajeeb.” - -“You ran away from me?” - -“Yes, and was glad of the opportunity. In the world of the white -man, women are looked up to and not downtrodden, as in our unhappy -country.” - -Ajeeb laughed ironically. - -“You are not of age, and even the laws of this country will restore -you to my possession,” he said. - -Zulima shuddered. She had been taught to look up to this man and made -to believe that his wisdom surpassed even that of the head sheik of -Gondar. - -“I would die rather than go back,” the girl said. - -“You mean,” said Ajeeb, and his face became distorted with rage, -“that you would die rather than leave this American.” - -“Look what Mr. Stolburst has done for me, uncle.” - -“Don’t speak to me of what he has done,” thundered Ajeeb. - -“He has shown me that I have a better life before me than that of a -slave, even if my master should be a prince.” - -“Stolburst tore you away from home,” said the visitor. - -“It was because I asked him to help me that he did so.” - -“He enchanted you with his white face and lying promises.” - -“He only promised to have my voice cultivated.” - -“And then?” - -“I shall become rich, and courted by the great and mighty,” said -Zulima. “Already I am learning the language of the Franks.” - -“They will not crowd to see you; forget not you are an African, and a -black.” - -“I can overcome that.” - -Again Ajeeb laughed. - -“Can you make your skin white?” he inquired. - -“No, but my genius will overcome even that,” she replied -enthusiastically. - -“Who told you that you were a great singer, or should ever become -one?” - -“The American.” - -“Again he lied to you.” - -“Do not speak harshly of him,” said the girl. - -“Ah, has he already espoused you?” - -A flush showed beneath the girl’s features. - -“No.” - -“You love him?” - -“Why should I not? Has he not been more than a father to me?” - -“He did not so act when he induced you to leave those to whom you -were bound by ties of blood. Zulima, you will never be a singer for -the public; I, Ajeeb, have said it.” - -The man’s eyes blazed with a strange light, and a thrill seemed to -pass through him. - -“What do you mean?” cried the girl, greatly frightened. - -“My meaning will be made plain in due time,” said Ajeeb. - -“You would not harm me.” - -He laughed derisively. - -“Would I not? You should know I never allow aught to stand in the way -of the accomplishment of anything I set about.” - -“What has this American done that you hate him so?” - -“I was not speaking of him just now,” replied Ajeeb. - -“I care not what may happen to me, I would not have harm come to -him,” exclaimed the dark-skinned beauty. - -“Ah!” said the visitor; “the curse of Jobu be upon you!” - -Zulima shuddered. She had left Africa behind her forever, she hoped, -but not so the superstitious belief in which she was raised. She -believed the false god Jobu as great as his devotees claimed. - -None had been more devout in their worship of the misshapen wooden -idol than Zulima herself. She was quite certain that Jobu would one -day make the Abyssinians rulers of the whole of Africa. - -Stolburst had endeavored to teach the dark beauty Christianity. -She had listened patiently to him, but he found himself unable to -convince his charge that there could be a greater god than her own -Jobu. - -“Why should I be cursed?” Zulima asked, after a pause. - -“You are a princess.” - -“True.” - -“You were promised in marriage to a son of the king.” - -“Yes, but I was not consulted in the matter.” - -“Why should you be consulted? What woman among us can elect or -reject a husband without the consent of her male relatives?” - -“I know it, and believed the custom was right before I had my eyes -opened to the truth,” replied the girl. - -“In a spirit of rebellion you ran away with an unbeliever. It was not -altogether to bring you back to Gondar myself, Ashah, and Deth came -across the great seas.” - -“Is that terrible man, Ashah, with you?” cried Zulima. - -“Have I not said so? and I do not lie,” replied Ajeeb. - -The girl shuddered. - -“Ashah,” she said, “does not go forth except to kill.” - -“And he came out here into the West to kill,” hissed Ajeeb, his great -black eyes sparkling. - -“Me?” - -“Perhaps.” - -The girl was now, indeed, startled. - -Ashah, as she said, never went forth except to do murder. He was -the executioner at the temple of the great Jobu. Hundreds, probably -thousands, had met death at his hands. His very name was mentioned in -Gondar with bated breath, and women frightened refractory children by -naming him. - -“Why should I die?” asked Zulima, and she cowered beneath her uncle’s -fierce glance. - -“Because you may have been the American’s accomplice.” - -“I do not understand.” - -“Do you still adore Jobu?” - -“That was the faith of my fathers, and it shall always be mine.” - -The girl spoke in a spirit of religious fervor. - -Ajeeb looked hard at her, believing she might be shamming. He -satisfied himself that Zulima was sincere. - -“Don’t you know that this American has desecrated our god?” - -She gave a great start. - -“That cannot be.” - -“It is true; and that is the principal reason I had for crossing the -great seas.” - -“Uncle, you must be wrong.” - -“The wretch who was on guard at the time,” said Ajeeb, his cheeks -aflame with anger, “confessed all before he died.” - -“What did he confess?” - -“That he admitted the American, and allowed him to insult the great -Jobu.” - -“In what manner?” - -“He removed his eye.” - -“The green diamond?” cried Zulima, in great terror. - -“Yes; and more than that, he carried it away with him.” - -“What! Stole Jobu’s eye?” - -“’Tis true.” - -Zulima trembled with nervous excitement. - -“Is your charge a just one?” - -“Aye.” - -“Perhaps the eye was taken by one of the American’s servants?” - -“No.” - -“But it may be so. Have you seen him?” questioned Zulima. - -“Yes.” - -“What did he say?” - -“As I expected, he lied to me.” - -“He denied taking the stone?” - -“Yes; and he became pale as death and trembled all over.” - -Zulima believed her uncle was right in the premises. She did love -Henry Stolburst. Far better did she love Jobu. Then, besides, she -feared the god of her people. - -“Ajeeb, I will return home.” - -“Yes, when our work is done.” - -“What have we to do?” - -“I shall ask very little of you.” - -“Tell me what it is.” - -“Does the American come here often?” asked Ajeeb. - -“About once a week.” - -“Will he be here to-day?” - -“No; he was here yesterday.” - -“He would come to-night if you were to send for him?” - -“True.” - -“Then that is all I request you to do.” - -“Thy will shall be done,” said Zulima, and her heart was stricken -with terror. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - STOLBURST’S VISITOR. - - -Burt Cromwell had a good deal of hesitation about taking charge of -Stolburst’s affair. He bluntly asked the lecturer if he could furnish -references. This caused the latter displeasure. Burt cared nothing -for that. - -“Do you know the firm of Fremont & Cole?” Stolburst asked. - -“The bankers?” - -“Yes.” - -“I am well acquainted there, having done business for the firm.” - -“I refer you to them,” said Stolburst, rather stiffly. - -“I’ll see them in the morning.” - -“It seems to me,” said the explorer, “that you conduct your business -on a highly moral and independent plane.” - -“That is because I want to live up to my reputation of being an -honest man.” - -“We won’t quarrel. What are your terms, my dear sir?” - -Burt named them. The terms must have suited, for Stolburst agreed to -them without haggling. Then he took his leave. - -The explorer had a small suite of rooms in a leading hotel. That -evening he received a visitor there who was entirely unexpected. It -was Zulima, who had never before called upon him. - -The girl’s eyes were red from weeping, and her whole appearance -dejected. - -“My dear,” said the explorer kindly, as he conducted his visitor to -a chair, “what has happened? You seem unwell.” - -She turned her great sorrowful eyes upon him, but did not reply. - -“Why don’t you speak?” asked Stolburst, after a pause. - -“You have seen Ajeeb?” - -“Yes.” - -“So have I,” said Zulima. “Do you know who is with him?” - -“Not I.” - -“Ashah has also come.” - -“What difference can that make to me?” asked Stolburst. - -He had grown quite nervous under the girl’s inquiring and steady look. - -“You know Ashah never goes afar unless--to kill.” - -The last word seemed to tremble upon Zulima’s lips. - -“Even so.” - -“Do you not fear Ashah, the bloody-handed servant of Jobu?” - -“Not I.” - -“I have felt for you an affection never given to a fellow creature -before.” - -“My dear girl,” said the explorer, “what are you striving to get at?” - -Zulima paid no attention to the interruption. - -“Better than any living creature,” she said, “I love the god of my -fathers. To me devotion to the great Jobu means happiness in a future -life. Now he is angry with my people.” - -“Why?” - -“Because the stranger was allowed to desecrate him. Do you not -tremble?” - -Zulima spoke in an impassioned manner throughout. Now she burst into -tears. - -“My dear,” said Stolburst, “Ajeeb accused me of stealing the famous -green diamond that formed the idol’s eye.” - -“Ajeeb is wise, and does not speak idle words.” - -“Do you then think I am a thief?” - -“Were I sure of that,” said the girl, “I would not be here.” - -“How is that?” - -“I was to send for you.” - -“I see,” exclaimed Stolburst, in mingled anger and surprise; “your -uncle has turned you against me.” - -“I only owe you protection; if your services have a price, name it, -and I shall pay.” - -Zulima took a rather heavy purse from her pocket. Stolburst insisted -upon her putting up the money, and she complied. - -“Tell me,” said the dark-skinned princess, “did you steal the Eye of -Jobu?” - -Her look seemed to her companion to pierce him through and through. - -“No.” - -The explorer spoke with all the firmness he could command. There -was an undefinable something about the girl that seemed to daze his -faculties. - -Was she a mesmerist? - -The thought more than once suggested itself to him. He had never -experienced a like feeling when in her presence before. - -“Did you carry away the diamond?” - -Now Zulima looked even more fixedly at her companion. Again he -replied in the negative. - -“It was because I had a very slight doubt of your innocence that I -came here,” remarked Zulima. - -“I am innocent.” - -“False friend,” said the princess, and she trembled with emotion. “I -have read your heart.” - -Henry Stolburst gave a great start. - -“What have you read?” - -“That you lie to me!” exclaimed Zulima, rising from her chair and -drawing herself up to her full height. - -The blood mounted to the roots of the explorer’s hair. - -“This from you?” he angrily cried. - -“Yes; I can no longer bear friendship for one who has so deeply -injured my people.” - -“Nonsense. Haven’t I told you I did not steal the diamond?” - -“Yes; but your tongue spoke that which is false. Would that I could -forget I ever knew you. If you would live, return that which you -stole.” - -“I tell you I did not steal the eye of the idol.” - -“Then you obtained it from the thief,” she retorted. - -“Zulima,” said Stolburst tenderly. “I love you as I might a daughter; -do not let this foolish matter break our friendship.” - -“I cannot forget my faith.” - -Stolburst saw that Ajeeb had, by working on the girl’s fear of the -heathen god, completely won her. - -“Ajeeb means to kill me?” - -“You know how to save yourself,” said Zulima coldly. - -“But I cannot comply with his wishes,” answered Stolburst. - -“Then you must die.” - -The man laughed, but his laugh was hollow and forced. - -“Ajeeb seems to forget,” he said, “that he is in a civilized country. -Here there are hundreds and hundreds of men to protect me. What is he -and that demon Ashah against so many?” - -“The priests of Jobu will prevail,” said the girl. - -Stolburst trembled. Her words filled him with dread, for they seemed -prophetic. - -“I go,” added Zulima, “and I never want to see you again.” - -She moved majestically from the apartment. - -Stolburst thought of leaving the country. He dismissed the idea -immediately after it was conceived. No matter where he went, he -believed the Abyssinians would discover him. He was too well known a -character both in Europe and America to long conceal his movements -from being chronicled in the newspapers. - -Ajeeb, he knew, was highly educated both in English and French. -Moreover, the fellow had passed some years in Europe, and had even -paid a long visit to New York, previous to the opening of this story. - -This last fact was unknown to Stolburst. More than anything else, -almost, the explorer regretted the stand taken by the princess. - -Zulima left the hotel with a very heavy heart. She had hoped if -Stolburst had the diamond he would give it up. The girl felt sure he -had stolen the Eye of Jobu. Why did he not return the gem? - -That puzzled Zulima. - -Stolburst had lived long enough among her people to know that no -effort would be spared to secure a return of the diamond. Surely he -could not value the stone more than life. - -Despite her present attitude, the princess had great affection for -the man. He had aided her escape from the semibondage in which she -was born, and had acted as a father to her. She would willingly -sacrifice all to her affection, except her idolatrous belief. - -Zulima had not proceeded far when a heavy hand was laid upon her -shoulder. She was about to scream, when she heard a familiar voice -say in her own language: - -“Make no outcry.” - -“Ashah!” - -Zulima found herself confronted by a gigantic member of her race. - -“I follow you, princess,” he said, and his voice was hard and stern. - -“I know that.” - -“It was the bidding of Ajeeb.” - -“Are you sufficiently acquainted with the streets to travel the city -alone?” - -The giant smiled. - -“I have followed men over the trackless desert. Why should I get lost -in the city? I know enough English to make myself understood.” - -“By what right did you follow me?” asked Zulima. - -“I but obeyed Ajeeb,” replied the giant; “you disobeyed him.” - -“How?” - -“He ordered you to have this American visit you.” - -“Well?” - -“Instead of obeying the command you went to the man and told him he -was in danger,” answered Ashah. - -“Ajeeb had already threatened him,” retorted the princess. - -“That is his right as our high priest. You would save the American.” - -“Yes.” - -“So thought Ajeeb and myself, but you are helpless.” - -“I would only ask to save him if he returned the Eye of Jobu.” - -“Ajeeb offered him his life on the same terms,” said Ashah. - -“Yes, and he denied having stolen the sacred gem.” - -“True, but you love this mortal more than you reverence Jobu.” - -“It is a lie.” - -“Then why did you visit him when he is under the ban?” - -“I have already told you the object of my visit,” replied Zulima. - -“Did he steal the gem, think you?” - -“Yes.” - -“Does he deserve death?” - -“Yes.” - -Ashah smiled grimly. - -“Your heart is true to your people,” he said, “even if your fancies -led you away from them. This man shall be tortured into giving up the -sacred emblem.” - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - MIKE QUICK’S DIVE. - - -After his new client departed, Burt entered an inner office, where -was seated a rosy-cheeked young fellow of about one-and-twenty. This -was Frank Hare, who was Burt’s assistant. - -“Frank,” said Burt, “I’ve got one of the queerest cases to work up.” - -Then he related Stolburst’s story to his youthful assistant. - -“I don’t see anything strikingly queer about the matter,” said Hare, -when the other finished. “It’s a clear case of simple theft.” - -“You idiot,” smiled Burt, “do you think this Stolburst told me the -whole truth?” - -“That’s for you to say. I did not even see the man.” - -“Take my word for it, there is a great deal behind this business.” - -“That is not our affair. What we want is good pay.” - -“Stolburst has agreed to put up a liberal sum, and we are to have a -bonus in the event of our being successful.” - -“First of all, I suppose you mean to find Enoch Cook?” - -“Yes; the lecturer knows the chap as Sam Henry.” - -“I don’t think there will be much difficulty in finding Enoch if he -is in New York.” - -“You know him?” - -“I’ve seen him a couple of times; he used to hang out with the gang -that made Mike Quick’s place their headquarters.” - -“I wonder what possessed him to become a servant for the explorer?” - -“Oh, I suppose that was a sudden freak upon his part.” - -“You don’t know the fellow Stolburst calls Dick Kidd?” remarked Burt. - -“I may, but I don’t know him by that name,” replied Frank. “If the -diamond is as valuable as described, Kidd will have some difficulty -in disposing of it.” - -“Well, I won’t move in the affair until I see Stolburst’s references -and satisfy myself that he is straight up and down.” - -On the morning following Burt visited the bankers whom the lecturer -had given as references. They joined in pronouncing Stolburst as a -perfectly reliable man. Afterward Burt wrote his new client that he -would undertake the case at the terms agreed upon. - -In a small saloon near the East River and between the Fulton -and Catharine ferries Mike Quick resided. Mr. Quick had several -disfiguring marks. Both his cheeks had been slashed some time by a -knife, part of one ear was gone, and his great rubicund nose was -broken. - -His eyes were deep set and overshadowed by heavy gray brows. - -He was big in build, and probably fifty years of age. Quite a number -of those years had been passed by Quick behind prison-bars. Taken all -in all, he was not the sort of chap a man would care to meet in a -lonely place after dark. - -Quick was behind his dirty and antiquated bar when Burt entered, -early in the evening of the day he had interviewed Stolburst’s banker -friends. - -Mike knew the detective quite well. - -“How are you, Burt?” - -The man’s voice was hoarse and guttural. - -“Glad to see me, of course?” - -“Can’t say that I am. Whom do you expect to find here?” - -“How do you know I am looking to find any one?” - -Quick indulged in a hoarse laugh so loud that it seemed to set the -bottles behind the bar dancing. - -“Young fellow,” he said, “it wasn’t simply to get a drink you stepped -in.” - -“Perhaps.” - -“Then you are a long time about asking for it. This hotel may not -have any oil-paintings or statuary scattered about, but you’ll find -brandy here as good as can be got in town.” - -“Give me a pony, then, and have a drink yourself.” - -The order was quickly filled. Burt found Quick’s statement fulfilled. -The liquor was of the best. - -“Now, my boy,” said Mike, with a knowing wink, “what’s your game?” - -“I want to find Enoch Cook.” - -Quick emitted a low whistle and looked very wise. - -“Why,” he said, “your man went to foreign parts about two years ago.” - -Burt smiled. Cook and Sam Henry were identical. Any doubts he might -have had on the subject were laid at rest by the dive-keeper’s words. - -“Yes,” said Burt, “I know all about his going away, but he has -returned.” - -“What do you want him for?” - -“To ask him a few questions.” - -“Nothing more?” - -“Nothing.” - -“You surely ain’t giving me a yarn, old man?” - -“’Pon my honor, I ain’t.” - -“I’ve seen Enoch since he came home. I’ve always put him down for a -mighty liar, but now I find he is the most magnificent one I ever ran -across.” - -“How is that?” - -“He’s been telling me he spent over a year killing tigers, lions, and -elephants.” - -“I guess Enoch only told you truth,” said Burt. - -“If he did, he is a bigger man than ever I took him to be.” - -“When did you see him last?” - -“About fifteen minutes ago.” - -“Where?” - -“In the back room, reading the paper,” grinned Quick. - -“Why didn’t you tell me that before?” inquired Burt. - -“You didn’t ask me.” - -Burt found his man in the room back of the saloon, and he was alone. - -“Hello, Burt! It does my eyes good to see you,” said the detective’s -former schoolmate. - -Burt took the hand that was extended to him. He could not forget the -old days, even if the man had sunk to the level of a thief. - -“You knew where I could be found if you were anxious to see me.” - -“I’ve been abroad.” - -“Turning over a new leaf, I suppose?” remarked Burt. - -“Don’t be sarcastic, Burt; that’s just what I’m about.” - -“Is this crib a fit lounging-place for a reformed criminal?” - -Cook, as we shall continue to call him, actually blushed. - -“I can come here without falling from grace.” - -“You were in Africa.” - -Enoch started. - -“Who told you that?” - -“I know all about your trip with Henry Stolburst.” - -“You don’t know how mean he treated me, I’ll bet.” - -“How did he treat you mean?” - -“Left me in Gondar, Abyssinia, with just enough money to get to New -York with.” - -“Does he owe you money, then?” - -“Yes,” replied Cook. - -“He is here in New York.” - -“I know it.” - -“Have you made any effort to collect what you claim due?” - -“Yes, but he won’t admit the claim,” replied Enoch. - -“That story sounds fishy.” - -Cook moved uneasily in his chair. It was clear to him that his -companion and Stolburst were not strangers to each other. - -“I’m giving you a straight statement,” said Enoch. - -“I’ve seen Stolburst.” - -“So I suppose. What does he say?” - -“That you ran away from him.” - -“He lies.” - -“Let that go. You had a companion servant.” - -“Dick Kidd?” - -“That’s the party I have reference to,” replied Burt. - -“What about Dick?” - -“I want to know where he is.” - -Cook laughed. - -“I shouldn’t wonder he was inside a French prison just now,” he -replied. - -“Why do you say that?” - -“I left Dick in Paris; he wanted me to remain with him, saying that -the graft for two sharp chaps was immense over there.” - -“I happen to know that Dick Kidd came to this country with you.” - -As we know, Burt had no knowledge of the arrival of either. He simply -made the statement as a feeler. - -“What do you want with Kidd?” inquired Enoch, after a pause. - -“First, I want you to admit he came to New York with you.” - -Cook hesitated. - -“Well, he did. What of it?” he finally blurted out. - -“There is this ‘of it,’” said Burt. “I’ve detected you in a lie.” - -“That may be a sin, but it is not reckoned a crime to lie, except -under oath.” - -“Where is Kidd now?” - -“I don’t know.” - -“I suppose I may consider that lie number two?” - -“Can’t you tell me what you want with him.” - -“Are you and this man very close?” asked Burt. - -“We were sort of chummy, but I never trusted him much. He thinks too -much of himself to suit my taste.” - -“If you will act on the square with me, I can put some money in your -way.” - -Cook regarded his old acquaintance suspiciously. - -“What do you require?” he asked. - -“That you make me acquainted with this Dick Kidd.” - -“Perhaps I’ll have to ask his permission first,” said Enoch. - -“You know what I am after?” - -“I’ll swear I don’t.” - -“You know that Kidd robbed his employer?” said Burt sternly. - -“No--I don’t.” - -“Come, Enoch, you must have seen that wondrous green diamond?” - -Cook appeared overcome with surprise. - -“Do you mean the eye of the idol?” he inquired. - -“Yes.” - -“So Dick got away with that, eh?” - -“You know he did, and I rather think you were in the job.” - -“I swear to you that if Dick Kidd stole that diamond, I never knew -anything about it until now.” - -“Cook,” said Burt, “you know I am not to be deceived by your acting.” - -“I am not acting.” - -“Kidd must have shown you the gem?” - -“No.” - -“Did you steal it?” - -“No; I don’t mind telling you that if I had the opportunity I should -have stolen it. Why, the price I could have got for the stone would -have made me rich for life.” - -Burt looked sharp at his companion. - -It seemed plain to him that the fellow was lying. - -“Well,” said Burt, “you were Kidd’s accomplice in the theft, and I -propose to arrest you.” - -“No, you don’t!” - -The voice came from behind the detective. He turned around. - -Mike Quick stood near him and the saloon-keeper had a revolver -leveled at his head. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - ENOCH COOK AND HIS PAL. - - -The moment Quick appeared upon the scene Cook made a successful dash -for liberty, Burt did not make a move to intercept him. - -Mike had the drop on him, and Burt believed the rascal would shoot if -he grappled with Cook. - -“Ain’t you a nice member of society?” remarked Quick. - -“Put up that gun.” - -“You just hold your horses; I want to give Enoch a good start,” said -Mike. “You gave me your word of honor you would not attempt to arrest -the man.” - -“What is it to you whether Cook is arrested or not?” - -“A good deal; that is, if the arrest was made here.” - -“Find him a good customer, eh?” - -“It ain’t that.” - -“Then what is it?” - -“The thing would get in the newspapers,” said Mike. - -“Suppose it did.” - -“Then my place would be given a bad name; savvy?” - -Burt was mad enough to eat Quick, but he felt compelled to laugh -at the fellow’s conceit. In all New York there was not a more -disreputable dive than Quick’s, and it had enjoyed that reputation -for years. - -“That’s all gammon,” remarked the detective. “Put up your gun.” - -“I guess Cook has got far enough away now.” - -Mike put the revolver in his pocket. That was what Burt was waiting -for. With a catlike spring he landed directly in front of Quick, -and planted his fist between that gentleman’s eyes. The attack was -wholly unexpected by the dive-keeper. Mike fell like a log. - -Burt turned the prostrate man over, and took possession of his -revolver. Then he allowed Quick to rise. The latter was mad as a wild -bull. He made a rush at the detective. Again Burt’s fist shot out. - -The result was the same as before. The bartender and several others -who were in the front room now appeared. - -Turning to the bartender, Burt said: - -“Sweep that thing into the gutter.” - -Then, drawing his own revolver, he made his way from the room, and -none sought to bar his progress. - -It may readily be assumed that Enoch Cook lost no time in getting out -of that neighborhood. He went directly across the city, and brought -up at a small hotel on West Street. - -Without asking questions of the clerk, he went up-stairs and entered -a room on the second floor. A small, wiry, and hatchet-faced man -arose from a lounge upon which he had been stretched. This was the -Honorable Richard Kidd. - -“What’s the matter, Enoch? Have you been interviewing a ghost?” - -“Why do you ask that question?” - -“You’re as pale as death,” said Kidd; “what caused it?” - -“The diamond.” - -“The diamond, eh?” - -Kidd was quite wide-awake now. - -“What do you suppose?” asked Cook; “this fellow Stolburst has put a -detective on your track. Ain’t that pleasant news?” - -“How do you know?” - -“I’ve been talking with the detective,” replied Enoch. - -“How did he come to know you?” inquired Kidd. - -“He and I used to be schoolmates, but I don’t understand how he knew -that Sam Henry and Enoch Cook were one.” - -“This fellow knows we have the stone, eh?” - -“Sure.” - -“I don’t see we have anything to fear from him.” - -“Why not?” - -“Suppose he knows of you pushing Aimee Jacquet overboard when our -ship was in mid-ocean?” remarked Enoch. - -It was now Kidd who became very pale. - -“You dropped no hint of that?” he said, in a low and tremulous -whisper. - -“Do you take me to be a fool?” - -“The captain of the vessel reported that my wife, Aimee, committed -suicide by leaping overboard while suffering from an attack of -temporary insanity.” - -“She was not insane.” - -“Of course not; but didn’t I bribe the ship’s surgeon to say he had -noticed the woman’s mind giving way for several days before she was -lost?” - -“Dick,” said Cook, “I never could understand why you wanted pretty -Aimee out of the way after the hard work you had in succeeding to -have her desert her husband.” - -Kidd laughed, and then all at once he became very serious again. - -“One night when drunk--it was the night before we sailed for New -York--I told her all about the diamond. The first day out my wife and -I had a little tiff. The quarrel grew in dimensions, and she several -times taunted me with being a thief. - -“I was afraid that if she arrived over here she might give me away -to the police. That’s why I pushed her overboard that stormy night.” - -“Do you think Pierre Jacquet knows his wife ran away with you?” - -“No; the ruffian believed she was entirely devoted to him. Poor -little Aimee, if she had not such a nimble tongue she would be alive. -The silly creature believed we could have been legally married in -this country.” - -“I think possession of that green diamond is unlucky,” remarked Enoch -seriously. - -The other laughed. - -“I’ll bet,” said Kidd, “that if I asked you to take charge of it you -would not refuse.” - -“No; but I’d sell it as soon as possible,” returned Enoch. - -“How much do you suppose it is worth?” - -“That does not signify; we can never get anything like its real -worth.” - -“We should be able to get fifty thousand dollars or more.” - -“I think I can find a purchaser.” - -“I wish you would, then.” - -“I’ll try to see the party I have in view to-night.” - -“Now,” said Kidd, and he appeared very anxious, “you have me in your -power.” - -“What do you mean?” asked Enoch, in pretended surprise. - -“You alone know how Aimee Jacquet came to her death. Come what may, -never inform on me. I will treat you square. As I intended all along, -half the money received for the green diamond will be yours, Enoch.” - -Cook smiled. He was extremely avaricious, and the prospect of -becoming possessor of a large sum of money was peculiarly pleasing to -him. - -“I have had many pals,” he said, “and not one of them can say I ever -played him false.” - -“I put you down as a true man when I first met you.” - -Enoch chuckled to himself. Had he possession of the Eye of Jobu, Kidd -would soon discover how square his pal was. Cook would most certainly -have appropriated the gem for himself. - -“I’m glad,” said the hypocrite, “you put confidence in me.” - -“Now,” remarked Dick, “you have not told me about that detective -friend of yours.” - -“I met him down at Mike Quick’s, and he told me he had been engaged -by our old master, Henry Stolburst. I told him Stolburst gave me the -shake, but that wouldn’t go down. - -“When he spoke of the diamond, I pretended I knew nothing about it, -and when he said you took it, I claimed I was ignorant of the fact. -Then the detective wanted me to sell out to him.” - -“What do you mean by that?” inquired Kidd, in some surprise. - -“He told me I would be well paid if I put him onto you.” - -“Well?” - -“Of course I refused, and then he undertook to arrest me.” - -“How did you get away--knock him out, eh?” remarked Kidd. - -“Well, no,” replied Enoch, “I don’t think I’d be able to do that.” - -“I always supposed you were very fly in using your dukes.” - -“Yes, but I am not a marker to the other fellow.” - -“Daisy, eh?” - -“You bet.” - -“What’s the chap’s name?” - -“Burt Cromwell.” - -“I’ve heard of him before.” - -“He’s a chap that would never stand any fooling,” said Cook. - -“I guess we’ll fool him some,” remarked Dick, smiling. - -“I only wish we may.” - -“If the fellow becomes too troublesome,” said Kidd, “I’ll give him a -taste of cold steel.” - -“No.” - -“Why not?” - -“I won’t have you attempt anything of that kind.” - -“Are you dead stuck on your old schoolmate?” - -“No; I never liked him.” - -“Then why do you display so much interest in his personal safety?” - -“It is your safety I am interested in,” smiled Enoch. - -“I guess I am able to paddle against this fellow and win.” - -“Go ahead; I won’t attempt to force advice upon you.” - -“Now,” said Kidd, “I have one greater to fear than the detective.” - -“Who?” - -“Guess who I saw to-day?” - -“Give it up.” - -“Ajeeb, the head ‘cocalorum’ of the temple of Jobu, and you can bet -he is onto Henry Stolburst. Next he’ll get onto us, and then there -will be music.” - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - AJEEB’S NEW ALLY. - - -“Zulima,” said the giant Ashah, “it is well for you that you remain -true to your faith.” - -“Why?” - -“Sooner than have you become a heretic, Ajeeb would have me spoil -that beautiful voice of yours. That would have been very hard on me, -princess, for I always liked you; still, I should have obeyed my -master, even unto sacrificing my own child.” - -“What do you mean by spoiling my voice?” the girl asked. - -“Without the tongue, we could not speak, much less sing.” - -“True, Ashah.” - -“The good Ajeeb would have had me pluck out your tongue!” - -Zulima was horrified. - -“Surely, uncle would not have gone that far?” she said. - -“Aye.” - -“I go this way.” - -The princess was about to turn a corner. - -“Nay; you must go with me,” remarked the giant. - -“Where?” - -“To where Ajeeb awaits us.” - -“He surely does not expect a visit from me. I saw him once to-day.” - -“He told me if you visited the American’s hotel, I was to conduct you -into his presence.” - -“You can return and say I did not leave my home.” - -Ashah started with surprise. - -“What!” he cried; “would you have me try to deceive the high priest?” - -“There will be no harm done,” answered the princess. - -“I would give up this worthless life of mine sooner. How could I ever -look Ajeeb in the face again if I told him a lie?” - -“Nonsense! You can’t make me believe you never told a lie!” - -“True, I have told many, but never one to Ajeeb. Come, let us hurry.” - -Much against her inclination, Zulima accompanied the giant. - -Ashah had only been a short period in New York, but he seemed to know -the streets in that section of the city. Their journey ended at a -handsome house on Forty-third Street. - -In answer to Ashah’s ring, the door was opened by Ajeeb in person. -The latter’s face was clouded, and he bestowed a fierce glance upon -the princess. - -“So,” he said, taking hold of her arm savagely, “you are false to us!” - -“No, uncle.” - -Ashah ascended to the second story, and the others entered a very -elegantly appointed parlor. - -“You visited Stolburst?” - -“Yes.” - -“And told him I meant to kill him?” growled Ajeeb. - -“True; you had already threatened him with death yourself.” - -“I suppose you also counseled him to fly, Zulima?” - -“No; I visited him to question him about the Eye of Jobu.” - -“Well?” - -“He denied ever having had it in his possession,” replied the -princess. - -“You believed him, of course?” - -“No, uncle; he lied.” - -Ajeeb looked at her in surprise. He had expected she would have -endeavored to exculpate the explorer. - -“Did you tell him he lied?” - -“Yes.” - -“What then?” - -“He persisted in his denial; I offered him pay for the services he -had rendered me, and he refused the money.” - -“Good! I find, after all, that you are a worthy daughter of your -race.” - -“I would not throw aside my belief for any mortal living.” - -“Zulima, there is but one course open to me in this matter.” - -“I understand.” - -“What do you understand?” - -“Stolburst must be captured, and tortured into giving up the Eye of -Jobu.” - -The beautiful-featured princess spoke as calmly as if she was -discussing some every-day topic. Away down in her heart, however, -there raged a war of conflicting feelings. Try as she might to -disabuse her mind of the fact, she had grown to love Stolburst. - -“Zulima,” said Ajeeb, “you now talk so sensibly that it seems -incredible to me this man should so have blinded you that you -deserted your people without regret.” - -“I shall go back to Abyssinia when I am old and ugly.” - -“When you are old and ugly?” repeated Ajeeb, in surprise. - -“Yes; then no one will want to marry me, prince or else.” - -“But you should marry the young son of King John.” - -“I shall never marry.” - -Zulima had kept her feelings from betraying themselves up to this -time. Now she burst into a flood of tears. - -“My child,” said Ajeeb, in kinder tones than he had yet used, “you -have some secret sorrow; let me share it with you.” - -“No; it is nothing.” - -“Then why do you weep?” - -“Because this man is so foolish for himself,” replied Zulima. - -Ajeeb frowned. It was plain to him that she had conceived more than a -passing affection for the explorer. This was exceedingly displeasing -to him, but he judged it better not to speak of it. - -“The man is a vandal,” said Ajeeb; “he knows what to expect, and has -a chance to save himself. Now, let his punishment be upon his own -head. I will not go home without the Eye of Jobu.” - -“Perhaps,” said Zulima, “were I to see him again, I might obtain it.” - -“No; with the grasping avarice of his race, he thinks he can retain -the diamond. The fool! Were he to throw it in the ocean, one day or -another it would be found by a priest of Jobu.” - -“Perhaps he has lost it?” - -“No; in that case, he would have so informed me.” - -“He may think you would not believe him,” said the girl. - -“Neither should I,” remarked Ajeeb. “Now, Zulima, you know where to -find me?” - -“Yes, uncle.” - -“Well, before you go, I want you to promise not to again visit this -vandal.” - -“I promise.” - -“Good! You have plenty of money?” said Ajeeb. - -“Yes.” - -“Good! Should you want more, call upon me.” - -“I have enough to live upon in splendor, if I so choose.” - -“Now, my child, you can go; and, before many sunsets, I will have -recovered that for which I traveled so many miles.” - -Ajeeb kissed her lightly on the forehead. It was with a head weighed -down with sorrow that Zulima returned to her home. - -Soon after her departure from the house in Forty-third Street Ajeeb -had another visitor. The latter’s appearance and general make-up -pronounced him an Englishman. - -“Well, old man!” he cried, upon meeting the Abyssinian priest; “how -does the world wag for you, and what are you doing in New York?” - -Ajeeb was another man in this person’s presence. Before Zulima and -Ashah, he carried a very stern front. Now he unbent his rigid dignity. - -“I came here on a very serious mission, friend of long ago!” - -“Can Billy Barry do anything to help you along, old man?” - -“I sent for you, thinking you could be of great assistance.” - -“How did you find me out?” - -“Don’t you know I am something of a magician?” - -“That be blowed! Honor bright, how did you discover my address?” - -“I got it from Harry Swinck.” - -“Do you know that old pirate?” - -“He is known to me. This is not the first time I visited to New York.” - -“You wear European clothes much better now than when I first made -your acquaintance in London.” - -“Don’t speak of those days,” said Ajeeb. “I guess I must then have -broken about every commandment of my religion.” - -“Well, you did get in with a pretty stiff crowd after becoming -acquainted with me; but I was to blame for all that.” - -“Yes,” smiled the Abyssinian, “and I rank high as a priest at home.” - -“You old hypocrite!” - -Ajeeb’s brow darkened. - -“No,” he said; “you misjudge me; I but joked when I spoke of breaking -commandments of my faith. We take a different view of sin to the -outer world, my friend.” - -“Don’t tell me anything about religion,” said Barry. “What did you -come to this country for?” - -“To run down a man.” - -“Have you succeeded?” - -“In running him down, yes,” replied Ajeeb; “but he refuses to return -that which he stole from our temple.” - -“What did he steal?” - -“A wondrous diamond, larger, perhaps, than any other in the known -world.” - -“The lucky devil!” - -“Barry,” said Ajeeb, “I would rather part with ten thousand pounds -than you were in that man’s position.” - -“Do you value the diamond so very much?” asked the Englishman. - -“It is not that.” - -“What then?” - -“He desecrated our temple, and his life has been forfeited.” - -“Mean to kill the rooster, eh?” - -“Yes.” - -“I don’t suppose he is a common thief,” remarked Barry. - -“Neither is he. The man has great learning, and bears a high name -among the people here and in Europe.” - -“What’s his name?” - -“Henry Stolburst.” - -“The African explorer?” - -“The same.” - -“Ajeeb, my friend,” said Barry, “I think you have undertaken to crack -a very hard nut.” - -“No,” smiled the Abyssinian. “I shall not fail in this matter.” - -“Does Stolburst suspect your purpose?” - -“I told him all about it.” - -“That was foolish; he has probably told some one else of your threat.” - -“What harm? His body will never be found, and who can prove murder -against me, or my chosen instruments?” - -“What do you mean by saying the man’s body will never be found?” - -“Just what I said.” - -“Explain.” - -“I want him kidnaped; then the rest will be easy.” - -Barry threw himself back in his chair, and laughed heartily. Ajeeb -knew he was the object of the other’s mirth, and was naturally -displeased. - -“My dear fellow,” said Billy, “you seem to forget you are in a -civilized community.” - -“Is that why you laugh?” - -“Don’t get mad about it; I was forced to laugh.” - -“I will have this man in my power before thirty-six hours have -passed, mark my words for it!” - -“You are taking a fearful risk--the laws here are very stringent.” - -“Nothing can prevent my success. I have said it.” - -“I wish you all sorts of good luck, old fellow; but, in my humble -opinion, you are completely off.” - -Ajeeb laughed in a cold, hard manner. - -“My friend,” he said, “I shall succeed.” - -“Where do I come in?” - -“You will kidnap this man!” - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - TRAPPED. - - -Henry Stolburst was thoroughly frightened at the dangers which seemed -to environ him. He had put great faith in Zulima’s affection for -himself. - -Now he found himself with but one friend in New York. The latter was -a girl named Lizzie Nightingale, and a distant relation. She was an -orphan, and in good circumstances. - -On the evening of Zulima’s visit, the explorer was about to start out -to call on this young lady, when a visitor was announced. - -“William Barry,” he said; “why, I never heard that name before. I -suppose you might as well show him up.” - -This speech was addressed to the bell-boy. In due time Barry put in -an appearance. Billy had discarded his striking raiment, and was then -dressed in very ordinary clothing. - -“Who are you?” - -“The janitor at the St. Joseph flat,” said the visitor. - -The place named was where the princess had her home. - -Stolburst looked hard at the man. Barry’s features were immovable. To -look at him, a stranger would not credit him with possessing even an -average amount of brains. - -“What do you want with me?” asked the explorer. - -“I have a message for you.” - -“Where is it?” - -Stolburst held out his hand. - -“It is by word of mouth,” said Barry quite innocently. - -“Who is it from?” - -“The dark-skinned young lady.” - -“Zulima!” exclaimed Stolburst, in the greatest surprise. - -“I don’t know what you call her; the servant’s name is Marie.” - -“You seem to know the servant, at all events,” said the lecturer. - -Billy smiled from ear to ear. It struck Stolburst the janitor took -more than a passing interest in Zulima’s maid. - -Of course, Barry had never as yet seen that young woman. - -“What is your message about?” said Stolburst. - -“The dark lady, she visited you this afternoon,” said Barry. - -“How do you know?” interrupted Stolburst. - -“Marie told me what to say.” - -“What has she to do with it?” - -“She told me she was acting for her mistress,” replied Barry. - -“Go on.” - -“Well, Marie said to me: Billy, tell the gentleman that my mistress -is sorry she parted from him in anger. She would ask him to come -here, but it would be dangerous, as persons whom he will know are -watching the house. The lady would come to you, only these same -persons might follow her. Marie will meet you to-night, and deliver -a message from her mistress, who begs you not to attempt to see her. -Marie will tell you how to get rid of these people whom you don’t -like.” - -“Is that all?” - -“All--except Marie will meet you in the Battery Park, near the Barge -Office, at nine o’clock to-night.” - -“Did this Marie name any of the parties I do not like?” - -“Yes--one of them.” - -“The name?” - -“Lord bless you, sir, I tried to remember it, but I couldn’t.” - -“Was it Ajeeb?” - -Barry scratched his head, and seemed puzzled. - -“It sounded something like that, but that wasn’t the name.” - -This reply confirmed Stolburst in the belief that the messenger did -come indirectly from the princess. - -So Zulima had relented! She found, on mature thought, that she -had more affection for the explorer than for the teachings of the -devotees of Jobu. - -Stolburst was glad of that. Indeed, he had often thought that his -intimate friendship with the girl would end with him falling in love -with her. She was not a negro, or even a black. - -Zulima looked, in her oriental beauty, just what she was--a princess. - -“Tell your mistress I will keep the appointment,” said Stolburst. - -“I haven’t any mistress, or master, either, for that matter; the flat -is owned by an insurance company.” - -“I forgot.” - -“You bet you did.” - -“Tell the young woman----” - -“Marie?” - -“Yes, stupid!” - -“What will I tell her?” - -“That I’ll keep the appointment she has made.” - -Stolburst tossed the fellow a silver dollar. - -Billy deftly caught the coin, and, with a low bow, took his -departure. It might have surprised the explorer to see the janitor -of the St. Joseph flat invest that dollar in a Manhattan cocktail and -a Reina cigar at the Hoffman House café. - -Stolburst deferred his visit to Miss Lizzie Nightingale. He tried to -think as to the manner Zulima had devised by which he could escape -the wrath of her uncle. - -Could it be that she had discovered a weak spot in subtle Ajeeb’s -armor? But it took a master mind in cunning to overreach Ajeeb. - -“I wish I could see the princess in person,” thought Stolburst; “but -I suppose I must be satisfied to take things as I can get them.” - -It never once struck him that nothing prevented Marie from coming to -the hotel. - -Come what might, Stolburst determined to see the maid. He knew the -girl was very faithful, and that Zulima regarded her more as a friend -than as a servant. - -The hour of nine struck by Trinity when Henry Stolburst entered -Battery Park. The night was windy, and there was a steady downpour of -rain. - -Despite this latter annoyance, he carried no umbrella. What was a -sound ducking to a man of his experience? - -The park was dark and lonely, as it always is at night in winter. - -Stolburst wore a heavy cloak, and underneath its folds his right hand -grasped the handle of a revolver. He was directed by a policeman to -the Barge Office. The building was closed, and no Marie awaited him. - -Stolburst walked slowly up and down. - -Crunch! - -A heavy blow was struck him with a piece of iron pipe from behind. He -fell inanimate to the pavement. - -It was hours afterward when Stolburst regained consciousness. Then -he found himself in a room without windows that was hung on all four -sides with very brilliant red curtains. In the middle of the room, -and underneath a chandelier, stood an Abyssinian, dressed in the garb -of his country. - -Stolburst rubbed his eyes. For a moment he believed himself back in -Africa. Then, with a rush, everything came to him. - -“Trapped like a fool!” he muttered. - -The Abyssinian he recognized as one of Ajeeb’s familiars. - -“Deth,” said the prisoner, “how came I here?” - -The man did not answer. - -Stolburst saw that the fellow was armed with a short and heavy sword. - -“Have you lost your tongue?” - -Still no reply. - -Stolburst put his hand to his head. He found a lump there, and he -suffered great pain. Upon placing his fingers upon the spot where he -had been struck, he discovered the Abyssinian had been doctoring him. -Everything about him, even to the lounge upon which he found himself -stretched, and the sweet, aromatic odor that pervaded the atmosphere, -suggested the Orient. - -“Deth, why the devil don’t you speak?” he cried, assuming a sitting -position. - -A cruel smile played across the Abyssinian’s dark features, and he -clapped his hands three times in rapid succession. The curtains at -one side of the room parted. Ajeeb appeared. - -“Go!” - -Deth obeyed his master’s command. A fiercely triumphant expression -appeared in Ajeeb’s eyes as he steadily regarded his prisoner. - -“You spoke about police protection,” he said. “The police were not -able to protect you. Base vandal, I, Ajeeb, never make idle threats. - -“You are in my power, and beyond the reach of help. In a few hours -Ajeeb will rack your body. Give up the green diamond, and be saved -from torture.” - -Stolburst looked steadfastly at his companion. - -Ajeeb bore a terrible reputation for cruelty among those who knew him -best. It even struck Stolburst as odd that right in the great city of -New York this fellow could carry out his practises. - -The prisoner believed himself doomed. Ajeeb’s cold, cruel, and crafty -features seemed to enchant him. Try as Stolburst might, he could not -keep his gaze off the man. - -The Abyssinian wore a rich silken cloak wound around the upper -portion of the body, leaving his arms and legs naked. In his hand he -held a simitar, studded with jewels. - -Stolburst was a brave man, but he certainly felt a fluttering at the -heart. His prospects of leaving that place alive were dim. He did -not suspect Barry of being the knowing tool of Ajeeb. Instead, he -condemned Zulima for his being in his then position. - -“Have you nothing to say?” remarked the Abyssinian, after a pause. - -“Only this--I haven’t that which you seek,” replied Stolburst. - -“Dog of a liar, did you not carry it away with you?” - -Stolburst hesitated. What answer should he make? - -That was, just then, a momentous question with him. - -“Yes,” he finally said. - -Ajeeb’s diabolical features lit up with unholy joy. - -“So,” he said, “I made no mistake? The spirit of Jobu directed me.” - -“Would that I had the green diamond, that I might return it.” - -The Abyssinian started. After the admission made by his prisoner, he -considered the jewel within reach. - -“You sold it--to whom?” - -“I did not sell the diamond,” answered Stolburst. - -“Nor give it away?” - -“No.” - -“Then what became of it?” - -“It was stolen from me.” - -The expression on Ajeeb’s features increased in ferocity. He half -raised his simitar. Every moment the helpless prisoner expected to be -his last. He gave up all hope when Ajeeb moved a few steps nearer. - -“Who stole it?” - -“I suspect it was taken by one of my servants, both of whom deserted -me.” - -“I don’t believe you.” - -“Nor did I expect you would, but I have not uttered an untruth.” - -Stolburst spoke with the calmness born of desperation. - -“Which of your servants do you suspect of the theft? I know them -both.” - -“Kidd.” - -“Why did you not tell me all this when I visited you at the hotel? -Then I might have believed you. Ashah!” - -The giant could not have been far away, for he almost instantly -appeared. Ajeeb made a sign. - -Ashah’s simitar described a circle in the air. - -Stolburst’s torture had begun! - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. - - -We left Enoch Cook and Dick Kidd in the latter’s room. - -“So,” said Cook, “that nigger high priest is in New York?” - -“Haven’t I just said so?” - -“You can bet I wouldn’t want to be in Stolburst’s shoes.” - -“Why not?” - -“Ajeeb will kill him for taking the diamond,” said Enoch. - -“Suppose Stolburst tells the pagan we have the stone?” - -“Then I guess we’ll want to keep our weather eye skinned.” - -“You say you’ll see that party about buying the jewel to-night?” - -“Yes.” - -“I’ll meet you at Mike Quick’s at ten,” said Kidd. - -“Oh, no!” - -“Why not?” - -“I guess it would be dangerous for me to show up there.” - -“This detective chap will reason that you won’t dare return.” - -“Well?” - -“Then he won’t look for you.” - -“He may have had Quick arrested.” - -“Well, I’ll take a walk around there and see.” - -“Don’t.” - -“I have nothing to fear. This Burt Cromwell don’t know me.” - -“You’re bound to have your way, no matter what I say,” remarked Enoch. - -“Yes, my lad; and I’ll start for Mike’s this very moment.” - -Dick went across town to Quick’s. The latter gentleman was fuming -with rage. Both his eyes were blackened and his nose was cut. - -“Well, I swear!” said Kidd, upon entering. “But you have got a pretty -pair of bungers, and no mistake!” - -“Did you come here to have a laugh at me?” growled Mike. - -“Can’t a man laugh?” - -“Yes; but it is wise to be sure you can lick the man you laugh at.” - -“Come down from your perch, Mike! You and I ain’t going to fall out.” - -“Then don’t be so infernally funny, that’s all.” - -“Who did you have the run-in with?” - -“Have you seen Cook lately?” - -“About an hour ago.” - -“He could about tell you whom I ran up against,” said Quick. - -“It wasn’t the detective?” - -“That’s just exactly who it was, and it all come of me standing as a -friend by Enoch,” replied Mike. - -“He told me he would have been scooped but for you.” - -“Yes; and I hardly think he would stand by me if I was in a muss.” - -“Oh, yes, he would.” - -“Here’s a whole lot of duffers,” Quick waved his arm around, “and -every one of them claims to be my dear friend. Did any of them go to -the front for me? Not one.” - -He threw a look of withering scorn upon the habitues of the dive that -were gathered at the bar. - -“I’m a pretty good friend,” he added, “when they are broke and want a -drink.” - -“Boss,” said the bartender, “when we got to the back room, Burt -Cromwell had out his gun.” - -“You shut up!” exclaimed Quick angrily; “or you will find yourself -out of a job mighty soon!” - -Kidd threw some oil upon the troubled waters by inviting every one -in the place to have a drink. Soon afterward he and the dive-keeper -adjourned to the rear room, where they seated themselves. - -“What is there in the wind?” asked Mike, looking knowingly at his -companion. - -“I do not understand.” - -“Of course you don’t, because you don’t want to.” - -“’Pon my soul, I don’t know what you are trying to get at!” - -“What has Enoch been doing? Now do you understand?” - -“I understand. My pal hasn’t been doing anything.” - -“That’s too thin.” - -“How too thin?” - -“Detectives ain’t going around arresting people unless they have some -good reason for it,” said Quick. - -“I’m the party Burt Cromwell wants.” - -“You?” - -“Yes; and this chap ain’t going to get me,” remarked Kidd. - -“If he wants you, why did he try to arrest Enoch?” - -“He wanted to frighten him, more than anything else.” - -“Burt Cromwell knows Cook is not to be frightened by a bluff.” - -“He claimed Enoch was my accomplice in a little matter.” - -“Oh, that’s the way the cat jumps, is it?” said Mike. - -“Just about.” - -“Might I ask what the little matter is, without giving offense?” - -Kidd looked astonished. - -“Perhaps,” added the dive-keeper, “you don’t care to trust me. Is -that it?” - -“Oh, no.” - -“It appears that way to me.” - -“Well,” said Dick, “the matter is simple enough. I lifted a diamond, -and, when it is sold, why, Enoch and I will divide the proceeds.” - -“Is the jewel worth much?” - -“A few thousands.” - -“It must be a dandy.” - -Kidd had no idea of allowing Quick to know how valuable the Eye of -Jobu was. - -Dick was wise in his generation, but he was not a match for his pal. -As the saying goes, Cook knew more in a minute than the other knew in -a year. - -“Yes,” said Kidd, “the stone is a very pretty one.” - -“Have you tried to sell it?” - -“Enoch is attending to that end of the business just about at the -present moment.” - -Kidd was right in his surmise. - -Just then Cook was closeted with one of the most famous fences in -New York--Monte Murphy. In appearance and manner, Murphy seemed an -uncouth and ignorant man. A more shrewd rascal at driving a bargain -did not exist. - -We will leave Kidd and Quick, and give our attention for awhile to -Enoch. - -Murphy lived in a tumble-down sort of house on Elizabeth Street, and, -when Cook called, he found the fence at home. Monte had not seen his -visitor in years, but he knew him at first glance. This the fence -did not allow to appear, and he pretended not to recognize Cook for -some time. - -“Well, my boy,” said Murphy, after admitting he remembered his -caller, “what can I do for you now?” - -“Can’t you guess?” smiled Enoch. - -“Not I.” - -“I have something to sell.” - -“Peddling, are you?” - -“Oh, come off! I’ve got swag.” - -“Then you came to the wrong shop.” - -“How is that?” - -“I have retired from the business. The police made things too -uncomfortable for me.” - -“Why, Bull English told me to come and see you.” - -“Well, you do see me.” - -“Now, Monte, what’s the use of your acting this way?” - -“What way would you have me act, young man?” - -“Bull told me you were still on the ‘cross,’” remarked Enoch. - -“English was only joking.” - -“It ain’t common stuff I want to get rid of.” - -“What have you--bonds?” - -“Something better.” - -“I’m not buying, so there’s no use of your talking.” - -Cook seemed nonplused. He knew the old rascal in front of him was -still engaged in business as a “fence.” - -Enoch could not understand Murphy’s disinclination to deal with him. -Monte was playing his fish. If he appeared too eager to do business, -the other might seek to take advantage of that fact. - -“You know I am square.” - -“Now, I have your own word for it,” remarked Murphy. - -“You can do the biggest stroke of business of your life through me.” - -“Sit down; it will do no harm for you to tell me about it.” - -“You have dealt in diamonds?” - -“Yes; I’ve handled a few.” - -“I have the largest diamond in the known world, I believe.” - -Monte smiled. - -“Let me see it,” he said. - -“I can’t.” - -“Then you haven’t got it?” - -“Well, it amounts to the same thing; a pal has the stone.” - -“Do you own it?” - -“We hold equal shares.” - -“Sure I couldn’t tell how much the jewel is worth without seeing it; -and, by the way, I haven’t seen anything in the newspapers about any -one losing such a great diamond. I think, young man, you are slightly -off your base.” - -“The diamond was not ‘lifted’ in this country,” remarked Cook. - -“Europe?” - -“No; Africa.” - -“I don’t take much stock in diamonds from there.” - -“This is a pure stone, and it has a peculiar green tint.” - -Again the “fence” smiled. - -“By the Lord Harry, then,” he said, “it must be an Irish diamond!” - -Enoch paid no attention to the interruption. - -“It formed,” he continued, “the eye of an Abyssinian idol for many -centuries. I am positive it is a genuine diamond.” - -“Why don’t you take it to Tiffany’s?” - -“And get jugged?” - -“Sure, the law couldn’t reach you for a theft committed on the -heathen of Africa.” - -“But I’m a known ‘crook,’ and the police would not believe my story.” - -“How much do you value the diamond at?” asked the “fence.” - -“It should bring a hundred thousand dollars, my pal and I think.” - -“A hundred thousand dollars?” - -The astonishment exhibited by Monte was not counterfeit. - -“That’s the figure.” - -“I’ll take my oath, I think you have gone crazy!” - -“I’m as sane as ever I was.” - -“Then you’ve been drinking.” - -“Not to signify.” - -“Why, if the diamond was worth even one-tenth of the sum you name, -and I was ever so much disposed to deal with you, I could not find -the money. Besides, I never heard of a green diamond before; it is -probably an emerald.” - -“It is a diamond.” - -“Whether or not, you will have to carry your ware to some other shop.” - -“You could obtain double what we ask for the stone,” said Enoch. “If -you haven’t the money, you know how to raise it.” - -“Tell me, first of all, how the jewel came into your possession.” - -Cook did so, only that he did not disclose Stolburst’s name. - -“Enoch,” said the “fence,” when the other finished, “I’d like to see -that stone.” - -“Will you purchase if you find my story as to its value correct?” - -“I can better answer that question when I have seen the green -diamond,” replied Murphy; “but I will not pay any such sum as one -hundred thousand dollars.” - -“You may change your mind about that; my pal and I will call here not -later than to-morrow night.” - -Then Enoch took his leave. If the old fence paid half what he -demanded for the wondrous jewel, Cook would be highly satisfied. - -He headed directly for Mike Quick’s. When Enoch was within a few -blocks of his destination, a man sprang at him and clutched his -throat. - -“Where is your friend?” - -Cook found himself looking into the eyes of Pierre Jacquet, whose -wife Dick Kidd had stolen and then murdered. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - A TERRIBLE SURPRISE. - - -“Curse you!” exclaimed Enoch; “do you mean to strangle me?” - -“Where is he?” asked the outraged husband. - -Now Cook succeeded in shaking himself free of the other’s grasp. - -“Who the deuce are you, anyway?” - -A bitter smile passed over the Frenchman’s features. - -“You know Pierre Jacquet?” he said. - -“Who do you take me to be?” - -“Monsieur Cook.” - -Enoch hesitated. - -“Yes,” he finally said; “that is my name: but I have no recollection -of ever having seen you before.” - -“So,” said the other, “you have already forgotten Pierre Jacquet?” - -“Come to think of it, your features do look quite familiar.” - -“My Aimee’s features are more familiar to you now.” - -“Who’s Aimee?” - -“My wife.” - -A groan escaped the almost distracted husband. - -No greater rascal than Pierre Jacquet called Paris home, and that is -a very broad statement. Yet Monsieur Jacquet was devotedly fond of -his wife, and he could have forgiven her for her escapade, even then, -if she appealed to him. Not so the man who had stolen the woman’s -affections. - -Pierre had crossed the ocean with the avowed intention of recovering -his wife, and avenging his honor. He owned a prosperous cabaret in -Paris, and the two Americans had been his guests during a stay they -made in that city. - -“I do not know the lady to whom you refer,” said Enoch coolly. - -“You don’t know Aimee?” - -Jacquet seemed overwhelmed with astonishment. - -“No.” - -“I mean my wife.” - -“Oh!” exclaimed Cook; “has anything serious happened to madame?” - -“Curse your impudence, you know she ran away with your companion!” - -“I know nothing of the kind,” returned Enoch, perfectly unruffled. - -“I tracked you three to Havre, and learned you had sailed together -for America.” - -Cook laughed. - -“I came to New York,” he said, “by way of Liverpool.” - -Monsieur Jacquet looked hard at his companion. - -“You are trying to deceive me,” he said. - -“No.” - -“Will you swear you know nothing of my wife running off with Monsieur -Kidd?” - -“Certainly I will swear to it.” - -Cook was quite willing to swear to almost anything. - -The Frenchman’s breath came hard and fast. His eyes were directed -full at his companion. That did not annoy Enoch in the least. - -“_Peste!_” exclaimed Monsieur Jacquet; “where could have been your -eyes?” - -“I do not understand.” - -“It seems you do not care to understand anything.” - -“You wrong me. I am naturally very dull,” said Enoch. - -“Did you not notice the intimacy that sprang up between my wife and -Monsieur Kidd?” - -“No; did you?” - -“Yes.” - -“Then why did you not put a stop to it?” asked Cook. - -“Aimee assured me I had no cause to be jealous.” - -“Well,” said Cook, “I never thought Dick Kidd would run off with -another’s wife. He certainly isn’t very beautiful.” - -“He succeeded in making himself loved by that foolish woman.” - -“Jacquet, old man,” said Enoch flippantly, “I feel sorry for you.” - -“Where is this man?” - -“I don’t know.” - -“You should know.” - -“Why should I?” - -“He is your friend.” - -“You mean, rather, he was once my friend,” said Cook. - -“Did you two fall out?” - -“Yes.” - -“About what?” - -“Excuse me, that is a personal affair,” replied Enoch. - -“Is Monsieur Kidd here in this city?” - -“I hardly think so; I have never seen him since my return.” - -“Monsieur Cook,” exclaimed Pierre, and his voice became harsh and -loud, “you are trying to shield this man from my just vengeance!” - -Enoch laughed. Again the Frenchman grasped his throat. - -“Conduct me to Kidd,” said Monsieur Jacquet, “or I shall strangle -you!” - -“Two can play at that game!” - -A bright knife-blade flashed under the electric light, the Frenchman -groaned, his hold on Enoch’s throat was released, he staggered and -fell upon the sidewalk in a heap. The man’s blood had spurted over -his assailant’s face and hand. - -Enoch wiped away the blood as well as he could with a handkerchief. - -“I’m a murderer now!” he muttered between his set teeth. - -Cook hurried to Quick’s. - -“What’s up?” cried the latter and Kidd, in a single breath, as Enoch -entered the back room, where they were seated. - -“I don’t know of anything.” - -Enoch tried to appear cool. He found that undertaking a vast one. The -rascal had never before shed human blood, and he stood in great dread -of the consequences of his act. - -“Why!” exclaimed Dick; “your face and neck are bloody! Are you -wounded?” - -Cook forced a smile. - -“No,” he replied; “but I must have cut the other fellow.” - -“The detective?” queried Kidd. - -“No; an old friend of yours, Dick.” - -“Who?” - -“Monsieur Pierre Jacquet.” - -Kidd’s cheeks blanched. - -“You are joking,” he muttered. - -“Does this seem the record of a joke?” - -Enoch held out his blood-stained hand. Mike Quick very politely arose -and left the friends together. - -“So the fellow has followed us, eh?” remarked Kidd. - -“He has followed you, just as Ajeeb has followed our friend the -explorer.” - -“Tell me about your meeting with the French bully.” - -Enoch complied. - -“You are sure,” said Kidd, “you said nothing about Aimee falling -overboard?” - -“Quite.” - -“Wash away those blood-stains.” - -Dick procured a basin of tepid water for his pal, and helped him -cleanse himself. Then Enoch told him of his interview with Monte -Murphy. - -“Has the fence plenty of money?” asked Kidd. - -“Yes; he has thousands on top of thousands in his safe.” - -“Let us, then, get rid of the green diamond at once.” - -“I told him we would bring it to him before to-morrow night.” - -“What’s the matter with going there now?” inquired Kidd. - -“Have you the diamond with you?” - -Dick laughed. - -“Do you think,” he said, “I would trust it out of my possession? It -is not every day a man runs up against a fortune.” - -“Then we will visit Murphy.” - -“Are you sure the fellow is square?” asked Kidd. - -“Yes; I could get a dozen ‘high-rollers’ to vouch for him.” - -“But, according to your own statement, he did not say he would buy -the stone.” - -“No; but he intimated that he would,” answered Enoch. - -“Well, we’ll give him a chance to make an offer, at all events.” - -The pair went out into the barroom proper, and called for drinks. - -Cook drank at least half a bottle of brandy before his nerves became -steady. The pair hurried to the “fence,” and, after some difficulty, -aroused Murphy. - -“So,” said Monte, upon perceiving Cook, “you are back again?” - -“Yes; this is my pal, Dick Kidd.” - -“Happy to know you, Kidd.” - -“Ain’t you going to ask us in?” remarked Enoch sullenly. - -“What for?” - -“We’ve brought the diamond.” - -“That is another thing; walk right in, boys,” said the fence. - -The visitors were ushered into Murphy’s little parlor. - -Monte excused himself for a moment. When he returned, he carried -a tray, upon which was a bottle of whisky and some glasses. This -display of hospitality quite surprised Enoch. - -Murphy bore the reputation of being very close-fisted. The three men -drank together, and then Kidd produced the diamond. - -The old “fence” took the gem in his hand, and held it near the light. -His well-trained facial muscles betrayed no astonishment. His hand -trembled as he gazed upon the wondrous stone. - -“An emerald, as I remarked before seeing it.” - -“That is no emerald!” said Enoch. - -Kidd’s jaw fell. The latter knew an emerald, even of that size, was -vastly inferior to a diamond in value. - -“My friends,” said Monte, “I believe I can honestly claim to -correctly tell one jewel from another. I say this is an emerald.” - -Murphy knew the stone was what Enoch claimed it to be. Never had he -seen a jewel so beautiful. It was worth the ransom of a king. - -“But,” continued Monte, after a pause, “emerald though it is, the -stone is quite valuable.” - -“How valuable?” asked Kidd, speaking for the first time. - -“I might be able to get eight or ten thousand dollars for it, but I -am not going to pay you that price.” - -Kidd and Enoch exchanged looks. Both felt rather crestfallen. Dick -believed Murphy’s statement. Cook did not. - -“Well,” said the latter, “I guess we will have to take the jewel to -another mart.” - -“I will give you five thousand dollars for it.” - -“I’d throw it in a sewer before I’d accept that price!” said Enoch. - -“You must be well supplied with funds, when you can throw away five -thousand dollars,” remarked Monte. - -“We won’t take less than fifty thousand, not a penny.” - -“You’ll never get it.” - -“Give me the stone!” - -Enoch held out his hand. - -“I rather think I shall keep it!” said Murphy, and he coolly pocketed -the gem. Both the others sprang to their feet. - -“Stop!” - -The door was thrown open, and two men rushed into the room. Each of -the newcomers had a revolver in hand, and they covered Cook and his -pal. - -“What does this mean?” - -“It means,” said Joe Snell, one of the intruders, “that, if you or -your friend raise a hand, we will send the pair of you to visit the -devil!” - -Monte smiled at his visitors’ great discomfiture. - -“Do you mean to rob us?” cried Enoch hoarsely. - -Both he and Kidd were deathly pale. - -“I shall keep the diamond,” said Murphy, “until an owner for it turns -up.” - -“You old villain, it is ours!” cried Kidd. - -“Joe Snell,” said Enoch, “I didn’t think you would act like this.” - -“Shut up!” - -“No,” said Monte; “throw them out.” - -Covered by the revolvers of his friends, Murphy backed out of the -room. Both Kidd and Enoch were beside themselves with rage. A fortune -had slipped out of their hands. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - ZULIMA AND THE DETECTIVE. - - -On the morning following the capture of Henry Stolburst, Burt visited -the latter’s hotel. The explorer’s valet told him his master had left -the hotel the evening before, promising to return in a few hours. - -“Do you know where he went?” inquired the detective. - -“He did not say,” replied the valet, whose name was Jacob Bude. - -“Have you no idea?” - -“I know that he sometimes visits a foreign lady up-town.” - -“A foreign lady?” - -“Yes; master says she was a princess in her own country.” - -“Have you ever seen her?” - -“Yes, sir; she is almost as black as a negro, but she is very -handsome, for all that.” - -“What is her name?” - -“Master calls her Zulima.” - -“Does she visit him?” - -“No.” - -“Then how came you to see her?” - -“I’ve gone to her house with messages more than once.” - -“Where does she live?” - -Bude told him. - -“I’m afraid,” said the valet, “that Mr. Stolburst has met with some -misfortune.” - -“How came you to form that idea?” inquired the detective. - -“Master has not been himself these last few days. There was a -horrible-looking little man here the other day, and ever since Mr. -Stolburst has seemed depressed. Who are you? I had almost forgotten -to ask.” - -“I am a detective.” - -“Mr. Stolburst has not been murdered?” - -Bude was alarmed. - -“Not to my knowledge; but why do you fear that he has?” - -“I’ve heard him mutter in his sleep about murder.” - -“Did he have any one with him when he left?” - -“No.” - -“Then you suppose he visited this woman, Zulima?” - -“How can I tell?” - -Burt left the hotel, and returned again that night. - -Stolburst had not as yet put in an appearance. Now the matter assumed -a serious aspect. Could it be that Ajeeb had made away with the -explorer? - -Burt feared the worst. Bude was quite positive something terrible had -happened to his master. Why he entertained that belief he could not -tell. The fellow was attached to his employer. - -Burt determined to visit Zulima. From Bude’s description, he believed -her to be an Abyssinian. He thought it strange Stolburst had not -spoken to him about the princess. - -Burt went directly to the St. Joseph flat. After looking the visitor -over quite curiously, Marie admitted him to the presence of her -mistress. The conversation between Zulima and the detective was -carried on in French. - -“Monsieur,” said the princess, rising upon his entry, “I cannot -imagine what you can want with me.” - -“I’ll tell you privately.” - -“Leave us, Marie,” said Zulima, after some hesitation. - -Throwing an angry glance at Burt, the maid flounced out of the room. - -“Madame,” said Burt, “you are acquainted with a gentleman named Henry -Stolburst?” - -“What has that to do with your visit here?” demanded Zulima. - -“I am a detective officer.” - -The princess did not understand what that meant, and Burt explained. - -“Has Mr. Stolburst been here since yesterday afternoon?” he wound up -by asking. - -“No.” - -“You are quite sure?” - -“Quite,” replied Zulima. “Has anything happened to him?” - -“Would you be very sorry if there had?” asked Burt abruptly. - -“He was a very kind friend of mine,” said the princess. - -“Mr. Stolburst has disappeared, under very suspicious circumstances.” - -“Why suspicious?” - -Burt made up his mind the girl knew something about the explorer’s -disappearance. - -“His life has been threatened by one of your countrymen.” - -“How do you know my country?” - -“You are an Abyssinian.” - -“Did Monsieur Stolburst ever speak to you of me?” - -“No.” - -“Then how did you find me out?” - -“That is part of my trade, to find people. Now, you know the man -called Ajeeb?” - -“I’ve heard of him.” - -“Do you know that Ajeeb came to this country especially to kill Henry -Stolburst?” - -“I refuse to answer!” - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - AJEEB SEES BURT. - - -“You had better answer my question,” said the detective, with a -pleasant smile. - -Zulima hesitated. - -“This Ajeeb is a high priest, and does not shed human blood,” she -said finally. - -Burt had his doubts on the subject, but did not give them expression. - -“He came to this country to recover a diamond that had once formed -the eye of an idol,” remarked Burt. - -The Abyssinian beauty looked hard at her visitor. - -“Mr. Stolburst has confessed to you, I see,” she said. - -“He had nothing to confess.” - -“You are not so deep in the gentleman’s confidence, I see, as I had -at first supposed,” remarked Zulima. - -“Explain.” - -“He forgot to tell you that he is a thief.” - -The woman’s splendid eyes flashed angrily. - -“I understand. You refer to his having purchased the Eye of Jobu.” - -“He either stole it himself, or had it stolen,” maintained Zulima. - -“I hardly think Mr. Stolburst would descend so low.” - -The girl felt a keen pain at the heart. Up to within a few days she -had also believed Henry Stolburst was all that was good and noble. -Had his crime been that of killing her Uncle Ajeeb, high priest -though the latter was, she could have forgiven him. But the insult to -the god of her people, that could not be overlooked. - -“Now,” continued the detective, “I know positively that this famous -green diamond is not in the possession of Mr. Stolburst.” - -Zulima gave a great start. Then she turned her wonderful eyes upon -her visitor. - -Could it be, after all, that her protector and friend had told her -the truth in declaring he did not possess the stone? - -He had not parted with it for a money consideration, she felt quite -sure. Zulima knew the explorer was very wealthy. - -What had become of the Eye of Jobu, then? - -Ajeeb would not return to Africa without it. - -“Mr. Stolburst did have the stone in his possession,” she said. - -“Quite true; it was stolen from him,” returned the detective. - -A scornful smile played about the brown beauty’s lips. - -“The possessor of so great a gem,” she said, “would guard it so -carefully that its theft would be almost impossible.” - -“It was stolen by one of his servants,” said Burt. - -“I know both, and believe them honest.” - -“Your judgment is at fault. The one you knew as Henry is noted in -this city as a thief. It was to recover the green diamond that Mr. -Stolburst engaged me.” - -“Suppose you were to succeed?” - -“I have his promise that the gem shall be returned to its proper -custodians.” - -“You speak false.” - -Burt reddened. - -“Madame,” he said, “I am unaccustomed to having my veracity doubted, -more especially by a lady.” - -“It is given to me the power to read men’s minds. Again I declare you -speak false. My false friend would never give up the diamond.” - -“You admit you long regarded Stolburst as a friend?” - -“Yes; did he not show me how great the world is?” - -“You do not intend to return to Abyssinia?” said Burt. - -“Not for years, at least.” - -“Then why do you sacrifice the friendship of this gentleman because -he may have had something to do with the desecration of a heathen -shrine?” - -“Because I am true to my faith, if not to my people.” - -Burt wondered that, with all the opportunities Stolburst had, he did -not succeed in converting the princess to Christianity. - -“My dear madame,” said Burt, “I feel satisfied I shall recover this -diamond, and I promise it will be returned, unless harm has come to -Henry Stolburst.” - -Had harm come to her late friend? - -That was the question the girl asked herself. The thought caused her -to shudder. - -If Stolburst was in Ajeeb’s power, and was, as the detective stated, -unable to return the Eye of Jobu, what might not have happened? She -knew her uncle’s heart could not be moved by pity, and she also felt -sure he would not credit the story that the explorer had been robbed. - -Zulima felt herself in great measure responsible for Stolburst’s -safety. But, then, she dare not tell the detective where her uncle -could be found. - -“I am sure,” she said, “that, beyond giving him a fright, Ajeeb would -not injure Mr. Stolburst.” - -“You have seen Ajeeb?” - -“Is he not my uncle? What could be more natural than that he should -visit me?” returned Zulima. - -“Did you ever visit him?” - -“Yes.” - -“Where does he live?” - -The girl smiled. - -“Monsieur forgets I am a stranger here. I only know that his house is -of stone, and is one of a row.” - -Zulima spoke the truth. - -“You could not find the house again?” asked the detective. - -“I went there when it was night,” was the evasive reply. - -“When your uncle visited you, did he make threats against Stolburst?” - -“He was very angry that the gentleman should have assisted me to -leave my country.” - -“That is not a direct answer to my question,” said Burt. - -“I don’t remember whether he made any threats. I should not be -surprised if he did. Uncle is quite given to making threats.” - -“Does he ever carry a threat out?” - -Burt looked steadfastly into the girl’s eyes. She did not betray -emotion, if she felt any. - -“I have no means of knowing,” she said. “In our country, the men -never take women into their council.” - -The princess was very beautiful, but Burt believed her a trained -prevaricator, for all that. Nothing was to be gained from her, as -was evident, at that stage of the proceedings. If he had known the -treatment to which Stolburst had been subjected, Burt would have -arrested the princess as an accomplice of Ajeeb. - -“Madame,” he said, taking his leave, “we shall meet again; and, if -anything befalls Mr. Stolburst, I shall hold you responsible.” - -Zulima smiled in his face. When the door closed behind her visitor, -the smile departed, and she became sad. - -Again the door opened. She looked toward it, expecting to see her -maid. Instead of Marie, it was Ajeeb who entered. - -“You have had a visitor,” he said, advancing toward her. - -“Did you see him?” - -“I have eyes,” replied the high priest. “His visit seems to have made -you sad. Who is he, may I ask?” - -“He is a detective, in the employ of Henry Stolburst.” - -“So?” laughed Ajeeb. “And what did he say to make you feel sad?” - -Zulima detailed the conversation between herself and Burt. - -“Did you believe him?” Ajeeb asked, when she had concluded. - -“Why not?” - -The high priest scowled. Nothing could drive it from his mind but -that Stolburst possessed the Eye of Jobu. - -“The thief,” he said, “tells almost a similar story.” - -“Where is Stolburst?” - -“What matters it to you?” - -“Do not be so harsh.” - -“Who knew me ever to be anything but harsh?” he said. - -“What I desire to know is if Stolburst is in your power?” - -“Would you like to know, that you might tell the detective?” - -The girl blushed. - -“Uncle,” she said, “I am quite as anxious you should succeed in this -matter as you can possibly be.” - -Ajeeb looked hard at her. - -“I will tell you this much,” he said, “the man has already begun to -feel the punishment I designed for him.” - -Zulima shuddered. All the kind acts Stolburst had performed for her -passed in rapid succession before the girl’s mind. - -She knew he was not dead. Might not the unfortunate man be dying by -painful and slow degrees? - -Ajeeb had sworn to torture him to death, and Ajeeb always carried -out his purpose, at least, so she had been taught. The high priest -sneered at the emotion his niece took no pains to conceal. - -“Now,” he said, “you regret that this man fell into my hands.” - -“Yes--if he is innocent.” - -“You told me yourself that you knew he was guilty.” - -“So I thought.” - -“Have you had any reason to change your mind?” - -“I have had doubts whether my judgment was correct.” - -Ajeeb laughed harshly. - -“Those doubts were brought into being by what your late visitor said?” - -“True.” - -“He, too, may stand in the way of our success,” said Ajeeb. - -“The man seems honest.” - -“You believed Stolburst honest?” - -“Yes.” - -“The outcome proves you are no judge of character. There is a memento -of your friend.” - -Zulima shrieked. - -The brute had tossed her an ear that had been severed from the -explorer’s head. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - COOK AND KIDD. - - -“Well,” said Dick Kidd, after he and his pal had been ejected from -Monte Murphy’s, “ain’t you a nice citizen?” - -Kidd was boiling over with anger. Small wonder. The equivalent of a -fortune had just passed from his possession. The great green diamond -was his no longer. - -“What’s the matter with you?” growled Enoch Cook. - -“You’ve treated me to a jolly time, but I’m not blind.” - -“Blind?” - -“Yes; that’s what I said.” - -“I don’t understand what you mean,” remarked Enoch. - -“Oh, no, of course not, you poor, blooming innocent!” - -Kidd’s eyes gleamed murderously as he glanced at his pal. Cook caught -the other’s glance, but could not understand it. - -“Surely, you are not angry with me?” he said. - -“If I had a weapon, I’d just about kill you, that’s all!” - -“Kill me?” - -“That’s it!” - -“If you try it on, you will find that two can play at that game! But -what have I done to incur your anger?” - -“You don’t know?” sneered Dick. - -“I wouldn’t have asked you if I did,” returned Cook. - -“You put up this job!” - -“What job?” - -“To have your friend collar the diamond,” replied Kidd. - -Enoch was astounded. - -“Do you mean that?” - -“You bet I do!” - -“Well,” said Cook, drawing a long breath, “this is the first time I -was ever accused of betraying a pal.” - -“What share are you to have out of the proceeds of the sale of the -gem?” - -“Dick, you are talking nonsense!” exclaimed Enoch. - -“Didn’t you tell me, when I questioned you, that this Monte Murphy -was a square man, and that I could find a dozen high-rollers who -would say the same thing?” - -“I believed Murphy was square. He always treated me so until now.” - -“I would never have had anything to do with him but for you.” - -“Still, you can’t blame me. I thought I was doing everything for the -best.” - -Enoch talked in a smooth, easy tone, free of excitement. His manner -more than his words impressed Kidd. - -“Why,” added Cook, after a pause, “if you sold the diamond, I was to -have half the proceeds.” - -“Yes; and you can bet your sweet life I would have kept my word!” - -“Do you suppose, even if I were inclined to give you the -‘razzle-dazzle,’ I could make better terms with Murphy?” - -“I never gave that side of the case a thought,” said Kidd -hesitatingly. - -“Now,” said Enoch, “the question confronts us--how are we going to -get back the diamond?” - -“Unarmed as we are, we can’t burst in the door.” - -“We would be shot down if we tried that racket.” - -“What would you suggest?” - -“That we take Mike Quick into partnership,” replied Cook. - -“Perhaps he may be a friend of Murphy?” - -“That don’t matter.” - -“Why?” - -“Quick thinks more about money than any mere bond of friendship.” - -“Well,” said Kidd, “I’ll leave the whole business in your hands. -Monte Murphy would not have the diamond in the first place but for -you.” - -“Don’t harp forever on that string,” returned Enoch. - -“Now Murphy knows the gem was stolen by us, and how can Quick force -him to give it up?” - -“Mike and I will think of a way.” - -“When will you set about it?” - -“When?” repeated Cook; “why, we must get down to business at once.” - -“I’ll meet you at Quick’s in about an hour,” said Dick. - -“Where are you going?” - -“Home.” - -“What for?” - -“That is my affair.” - -“Don’t be so saucy about it.” - -“I’ll tell you this much, if I don’t recover the diamond, Monte -Murphy will never sell it!” - -“You mean to kill him?” - -“Yes; and others besides, mayhap.” - -The pair of precious rascals parted on Broadway, near Chambers -Street. Enoch went directly to Quick’s. It was long after midnight, -but the place was in full blast. Petty gamblers and thieves formed -the bulk of the body of customers. - -“Mike, I want to see you alone for a few minutes.” - -“Say, Enoch, don’t you see I am up to my eyes in biz?” - -“Yes, but this is a very important matter.” - -“Can’t we talk about it to-morrow?” remarked Quick. - -“It may then be too late.” - -Mike called one of his cronies to take his place behind the bar. -Then he conducted his visitor to a room on the floor above the store. - -“Now, spit out this precious business of yours, and be quick about -it.” - -“You remember the diamond I spoke to you about?” - -“Yes; you said Kidd had a stone worth a few thousands.” - -“It is worth half a million dollars, if it is worth a cent.” - -“Oh, come off! You don’t expect me to swallow any such yarn?” - -“Mike,” said Cook solemnly, “I swear I only speak the truth!” - -“Well, what about the stone?” - -“Kidd and I have talked the matter over, and we have concluded to -give you a third share in it,” replied Enoch. - -“Very kind of you and Mister Kidd, I am sure,” remarked Quick. “Of -course, I am expected to give up value in return?” - -“We won’t ask you to give up a dollar.” - -“Kidd has the diamond?” - -“No----” - -“Then you have it?” - -“No; as a matter of fact, neither of us have it,” said Enoch. - -Quick threw himself back in his chair, and laughed until tears ran -down his cheeks. - -“You seem to have lost your senses, boy,” he finally said. - -“How do you make that out?” - -“You come here and offer me that which you haven’t got.” - -“But we want you to help us recover the diamond.” - -“Why!” ejaculated the dive-keeper; “have you lost it?” - -“Yes.” - -“And you say it is worth half a million dollars?” - -“Far more than that, if anything,” answered Enoch. “It was stolen -from a temple in Africa, where for centuries it was venerated by a -rich and idolatrous people.” - -Quick was not altogether illiterate. He had read of great diamonds -being found in temples, and at other shrines, by travelers. - -“You have seen the stone?” he said, after a pause. - -“I’ve had it in my hand a thousand or more times.” - -“You say it is lost?” - -“Stolen, rather.” - -“By whom?” - -“Monte Murphy.” - -“The old shark! So you let him ‘do’ you out of your property?” - -“We couldn’t well help ourselves,” replied Enoch, with a sickly smile. - -“Tell me all about it.” - -“That’s what I propose to do.” - -“Well, hurry up about it.” - -Quick was very serious when Cook finished his narrative. - -“Who was the chap that entered the room with Snell?” - -“Pat Brady.” - -“That gentleman honors me with a visit almost every day.” - -“So much the better. We may be able to work Monte through him.” - -“No; Murphy will give Snell and Brady the ‘razzle-dazzle,’ just the -same as he gave it to you and Kidd.” - -“How, then, can we make him disgorge?” asked Cook. - -“I’ll attend to him.” - -“How?” - -“Leave that to me.” - -“When will you go about the work?” - -“Inside of an hour.” - -“Dick Kidd will be here by that time. Won’t you wait until he comes -before you make a move?” - -“Why should I wait?” - -“He may have some valuable suggestions to offer.” - -Quick smiled. The sodden expression had disappeared from his eyes. -Now they sparkled with intelligence. - -His features, marked with dissipation though they were, had also -brightened up. For the nonce, he was the Mike Quick who years before -had led the detectives many a merry chase by his shrewdness in -eluding pursuit, and had almost paralyzed them by the boldness of his -operations. - -“I have already mapped out my course,” said the dive-keeper. “How -shall I know the diamond?” - -“It is as large as a bantam’s egg, and of a peculiar greenish tint.” - -“I shall get it.” - -“Remember,” said Enoch, “you are a third partner in the gem.” - -“I shall bring the diamond back in two hours, or--well, we shall see -what we shall see.” - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - MIKE QUICK’S MISSION. - - -Bidding Cook good night, Quick left his saloon. His objective point -was Monte Murphy’s, in Elizabeth Street. - -Mike had proceeded on his journey as far as Broadway, when he -encountered Joe Snell. The meeting was accidental. - -Snell seemed to be considerably under the influence of liquor, and -his first act was to invite Quick to go and have a drink with him. - -Mike gladly accepted the invitation. His business with Murphy could -wait. - -Late as the hour was, the pair found a saloon open. Snell seemed to -be in the highest spirits. - -“Made a cool five hundred to-night, Mike,” he said, “just as easy as -wink.” - -“The last time I saw you I think you were broke.” - -“Sure; why, I’ve been walking on my uppers for two months.” - -“Cracked a crib, eh?” - -Snell laughed loudly. - -“Easier than that.” - -“I don’t care to know anything about it,” said Quick, believing that, -pretending indifference, he would draw the drunken thief out. Mike’s -surmise was correct. - -“But,” said Joe, “perhaps I shall tell you. I always knew you were a -man in whom a friend could trust.” - -Quick chuckled softly to himself. - -“Say,” added Snell, “you know Enoch Cook?” - -“Yes; he’s no good.” - -Joe smiled all over. Quick didn’t like Cook. - -“Well,” said Snell, “Pat Brady and I pulled off a thousand between us -for doing Cook and a friend of his.” - -“You didn’t commit murder, I hope?” exclaimed Mike. - -“Oh, no; you don’t catch me putting my precious neck in jeopardy.” - -“Then what do you mean by ‘doing him’?” inquired Quick. - -“We just held the two coves up, while Monte Murphy gathered in some -of their swag.” - -“What did the swag consist of?” - -“A big brilliant that Monte calls an emerald. Murphy was expecting -the pair, and had me and Pat on deck.” - -“Do you call your action square?” - -“Why not?” - -“How should you like to be done out of the proceeds of a job?” - -“Shouldn’t like it at all.” - -“Yet you were willing to give that medicine to another?” - -“I was broke; and, besides, there is an old grudge between Cook and -me.” - -“You have no grudge against his pal?” said Quick. - -“No; I felt a bit sorry for that chap,” answered Joe. - -“What did Monte do with the stone?” - -“How can I tell? That old thief don’t take any one very deep into his -confidence.” - -“I’ve seen Cook.” - -Snell started. - -“The devil!” he exclaimed; “why didn’t you tell me that at first?” - -“I didn’t think it necessary.” - -“Did he tell you all about it?” - -“No; he merely said he and his pal had a bad run-in with you and -Brady.” - -“Do you know his pal?” - -“Quite well.” - -“Snide, eh?” - -“Nothing of the kind; I wouldn’t stand in place of you or Brady for a -good deal, and you know I’m counted pretty tough?” - -Something nearly akin to a pained expression appeared on Snell’s -countenance. He was not afraid of Cook, but he did not like the hint -Quick threw out regarding Kidd. - -“Who is Enoch’s pal?” - -“Dick Kidd is no stranger in New York. You should know him.” - -“Didn’t he operate in Philadelphia some two or three years ago?” - -“Same man.” - -“I’ve heard of him.” - -“Then you must have heard that a tougher man never cracked a safe.” - -“You’ll see that I’ll steer clear of him.” - -“He swears to kill you and Brady on sight, and Dick Kidd generally -carries out such little programs after making them.” - -“How about Murphy?” - -“Kidd will take care of him, too, if the facts are as you state.” - -“If I had known I was risking my life,” said Snell, “you can bet -I would not let Monte off so light. I’d have made him give us a -thousand apiece at the very least.” - -“You’re in for it now.” - -“Well,” muttered Joe, “to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Have -another drink, then I’ll go around and see Brady.” - -“Where is he?” - -“Gone home to roost.” - -They drank and parted. - -When Monte Murphy found himself, after the departure of Brady and -Snell, alone with the “Eye of Jobu,” he could hardly contain himself -from very joy. Time and time again he gazed fondly upon the wondrous -gem. - -It was a diamond. Who ever before had seen a green diamond? - -Monte tested the stone over and over again. There could be no doubt -of its being genuine. He had in his possession the most wonderful -diamond in existence. - -What was he to do with it? - -Who would pay him one-half its value? - -A thought struck him; he would take it to Europe and there look for a -purchaser. Monte ascended to his bedroom, which was under the eaves. - -The room was lighted by a single lamp. In a corner stood a small -safe, which the “fence” opened. Wrapping a piece of newspaper about -the Eye of Jobu, he placed it within the safe, and locked the iron -door behind it. - -Monte neither knew nor cared anything about the history of the stone. -Would it bring bad luck to him? - -He would have laughed in the face of any one who might have told -him it would. Monte placed a revolver under his pillow and went to -bed. It may be taken for granted that the “fence” dreamed of his new -possession. - -He did not fear reprisal from Cook or Kidd. In fact the matter of -their seeking revenge had hardly occurred to him. - -Murphy was awakened from a pleasant dream by a hand being placed upon -his breast. He awoke with a start and sat bolt upright in the bed, at -the side of which stood a human figure. - -Monte reached under the pillow for his revolver. It was not there. -The intruder had removed the weapon. He had also turned up the lamp -which Murphy had turned down low upon retiring. - -“You!” - -“Yes.” - -The last speaker was Mike Quick. - -“How came you here?” - -“I entered by the door.” - -The dive-keeper’s tones were low, but were very severe. - -“What do you want?” - -“I merely called to pay you a visit.” - -Murphy felt his whole body covered with cold perspiration. It was -plain Quick’s visit augured him no good. Monte made no move toward -leaving his bed. - -“This is a queer hour and a queerer manner of paying me a visit. Have -you gone back to the old business?” - -“What do you mean?” - -“I’m afraid your object in coming here is robbery.” - -Quick smiled. - -“I could take advanced lessons in that art from you.” - -“What do you want?” - -“I believe you asked that question before,” remarked Quick dryly. - -“Yes, but you failed to answer it.” - -“I come as the representative of Enoch Cook,” said Mike. - -Murphy’s eyes almost popped out of his head with amazement. - -“The representative of Enoch Cook?” - -He mumbled over the words several times. - -“What about Cook?” - -“Can’t you guess the object of my visit, now that I have mentioned -his name?” - -“No. I have not seen Enoch in more than two years.” - -Quick laughed. - -“Don’t talk silly.” - -“I’m telling the truth.” - -“Enoch Cook has been in this house within four hours.” - -“Then I did not see him.” - -“You not only saw him, but, with the help of Joe Snell and Pat Brady, -you managed to rob the poor devil.” - -Monte shuddered. The dive-keeper knew all. Still the old “fence” -determined to stand by his colors. - -“Some one,” he said, with a hollow laugh, “has been imposing a -cock-and-bull story upon you, Mike.” - -“No; but you are trying mighty hard to make a strike in that -direction.” - -“Is it money you are after?” - -As can be seen, Murphy had a very wholesome dread of his visitor. - -“Suppose I did want to make a loan?” sneered Quick. - -“You are an old friend, and I might stretch a point and lend you a -few hundred.” - -Mike smiled grimly. He knew the “fence” actually adored money with -the passion of a shylock. - -“I want the green diamond.” - -“The green diamond--why, man, what are you talking about?” - -Monte’s face blanched. - -“You know full well what I am talking about.” - -“If you don’t leave this house I shall call in the police.” - -“No, you won’t.” - -Murphy sprang out of bed. Quick grasped the “fence” by the throat and -forced the upper portion of his body back upon the bed. - -“Do you mean to murder me?” - -“Yes, if you do not give up the diamond you stole from Cook.” - -Monte struggled hard to break away from his assailant. His strength -was almost as nothing compared to that of Quick. The latter drew a -knife from inside his coat. - -“Murder! Help!” - -The old man’s cries echoed and reechoed throughout the house. - -“The diamond?” - -“Help!” - -Mike’s knife was driven into the struggling man’s breast. Then the -dive-keeper hurried from the scene. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - BURT KNOCKED OUT. - - -After being stabbed by Enoch Cook, poor Pierre Jacquet lay motionless -upon the pavement. He was found there by the policeman on that beat, -who had him conveyed to the Oak Street station. From there Pierre was -taken to one of the public hospitals. - -There he related the circumstances attending the stabbing. Burt saw -an account of the affair in the newspapers, and visited the hospital. - -Monsieur Jacquet welcomed his visitor upon learning the latter was a -detective. The Frenchman’s wound was deep and ugly, but not fatal. -Burt found him propped up with pillows, and he seated himself at the -sufferer’s bedside. - -“You know Monsieur Cook?” asked Pierre, after the detective had been -introduced. - -“Yes; I’ve known him some years.” - -“Do you also know Kidd?” - -Jacquet’s eyes blazed fiercely when he mentioned the man who had -wronged him. - -“I only know him by reputation,” replied Burt. - -“He is a devil--a snake in the grass. They tell me I shall recover -and be able to go out in a few days. Then--ah! Kidd will feel my -wrath.” - -“Is he your enemy?” - -“Monsieur, I only desire to live that I may kill him.” - -“He must have wronged you deeply.” - -Pierre laughed hysterically. - -“Monsieur, I keep a cabaret in Paris. The police do not speak well of -me or my customers. I had a wife--pretty Aimee. She was far above me -in station when we married. - -“Aimee did not like my business, and I had promised her to give it up -at the close of the present year. Three months ago--only three short -months ago--Cook and Kidd came to board with me. - -“They were recommended to my cabaret by a friend of mine. Two months -ago they left. Aimee went with Kidd.” - -A look, such as a tiger might wear when at bay, appeared in Jacquet’s -eyes, and he gritted his teeth hard. - -“Then, as I understand it, you came to America in search of your -wife,” said Burt. - -“No.” - -Burt looked at the Frenchman in some surprise. - -“You did not come as an emigrant?” he remarked. - -“I came to kill Richard Kidd.” - -“My man,” said the detective kindly, “don’t you know that murder is -punished with death?” - -“Of course I do; but what care I whether I live or die, now that -Aimee is forever lost to me?” replied Jacquet. - -“Are you sure she eloped with Dick Kidd?” - -“Positive.” - -“You did not see them leave together?” - -“No; but she left behind a cruel letter, saying that Kidd was the -partner of their flight, and that they were to be married upon -arriving in this country.” - -“Have you the letter?” - -“Monsieur, I tore it into a thousand pieces,” replied Pierre. “You -know of the existence of this scoundrel, Kidd?” - -“Yes.” - -“Can you tell me whether he is in this city?” asked Jacquet. - -“Cook declares the man is not in New York,” answered Burt. - -“But you know, monsieur, that Cook is a great liar.” - -“I am looking for Kidd myself.” - -“Has he broken the law since returning to this country?” - -“No; it is for something he did abroad,” replied Burt. - -“Robbery, of course?” - -“Yes.” - -“I heard him say he had secured a fortune by theft in Africa.” - -“That is true.” - -“The villain, he must have so dazzled Aimee by making a display of -wealth that the foolish creature forgot her obligations to me.” - -“His wealth consists of a great diamond. Did you ever hear him refer -to it?” - -“Never.” - -“Now,” said the detective, “recover your wife if you can, but do no -injury to this man.” - -“I would not take my wife back if she were to beg me to do so. I am a -man of honor.” - -The keeper of the Parisian den of thieves actually believed himself a -man of honor. - -“If you kill Kidd, I shall trail you down and bring you to the -gallows.” - -“The threat does not frighten me, monsieur,” said Pierre. - -“I can put you under restraint for threatening this man’s life.” - -Jacquet’s jaw dropped. - -“Well,” he said, “I will promise not to harm him unless in -self-defense.” - -Burt smiled at the Frenchman’s fear of prison. By stabbing Jacquet, -Enoch had placed himself within the pale of the law. - -Burt determined to effect his capture. Cook might be willing to -put him on the track of the green diamond when he found himself a -prisoner in the Tombs. - -Burt knew his former schoolmate to be a selfish coward. Enoch would -sacrifice anything or anybody to gain his own ends. But where to find -his man? - -Mike Quick could tell him. Quick must. So the detective decided. -After leaving the hospital, Burt went to Quick’s. - -Mike was alone in the back room, and there Burt found him. The -ruffian sprang to his feet with an oath on his lips. Burt produced -his revolver. - -“No nonsense, Mike!” - -“What do you want?” - -It was the day following Quick’s visit to Monte Murphy. The -dive-keeper feared his crime had been found out, and that Burt had -come to arrest him. - -“I want to have a little talk with you,” said Burt. - -The ruffian drew a long breath of relief, and something resembling a -smile radiated his features. - -“I thought mebbe you came around to admire your handiwork.” - -Mike placed a finger on one and then on the other of his bruised eyes. - -“You have no one to thank for it but yourself.” - -“It’s tough on a fellow like me, all the same.” - -“Yes; I believe you put up to be something of a pugilist.” - -“I did.” - -“And I knocked that conceit out of you,” remarked Burt. - -“Jack O’Brien could not have done it better,” returned Mike. - -“Yes, and I should go farther.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“I mean I should jug you for interfering with me.” - -“Let the past go, won’t you?” - -“Perhaps.” - -“You are more than even with me. I never wore such a pair of -‘bungers’ before in my life.” - -“Through your interference I lost a prisoner,” said Burt. - -“Enoch Cook and I are old friends.” - -“Oh, that’s your excuse?” - -“Not exactly.” - -“Well?” - -“You gave me your word you did not intend to arrest him.” - -“Neither I did when I first came here,” replied Burt. - -“You want him now?” - -“You are good at guessing. I do want him, and I want him bad.” - -“What has he been doing?” - -“I guess you know. By the way, where did that blood-spot on your -shirt-front come from?” - -Quick gave a great start. Then he looked down at the telltale spot. -He had not noticed it before. - -“From my nose,” he said. - -Burt saw with half an eye that his companion was agitated. - -“Mike,” he said, “that blood did not come from your nose.” - -“I say it did, and I should know,” said Quick. - -And he pulled himself together. - -“You didn’t kill any one?” - -The dive-keeper grinned. - -“I guess if I did you wouldn’t find me here,” he said. - -The affair at the “fence” on Elizabeth Street had not as yet reached -the police. - -“Now,” said Burt, “you must put me in the way of finding Cook.” - -“I have not seen him since you and I had the run-in.” - -“Don’t lie.” - -“I’m giving it to you straight.” - -“By the way, do you know his partner?” asked Burt. - -“You mean Kidd?” - -“Why, has he more than one partner?” - -“He may have a dozen, for all I know,” replied Quick. - -“Then why do you particularly mention Kidd?” asked Burt. - -“Because I’ve heard Enoch speak of him more than once.” - -“Have you ever seen the man?” - -“Never.” - -“He is in this city?” - -“So I believe.” - -“Quick, you are lying to me right straight along,” said Burt. - -“You are determined to make me out a liar, at any rate.” - -“You surely know where Enoch Cook is stopping?” - -“I’ll take my oath I don’t.” - -“Give me your wrists!” - -“What for?” - -“Because I say so.” - -“Are you going to lock me up because I can’t put you onto Enoch?” - -“No.” - -“It looks that way.” - -“I’m going to lock you up for having aided a prisoner to escape.” - -The words but escaped the detective when he was felled by the blow of -a sand-bag delivered from behind. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - AJEEB’S GRIM HUMOR. - - -Billy Barry called upon his friend Ajeeb the afternoon Burt was laid -out at Quick’s, and it was on the detective the conversation of the -two former hinged. Barry and the high priest took possession of the -latter’s library. It was Billy’s first visit since he had aided in -entrapping Stolburst. - -“Well, old man,” said the visitor, “how does your prisoner come on?” - -“He has met with an accident.” - -“An accident?” repeated Billy. - -“Yes,” replied Ajeeb grimly, “he has lost one of his ears.” - -Barry looked at his companion in astonishment. Although Ajeeb had so -threatened, Billy did not believe he would torture Stolburst. - -An ear gone! Barry repeated the phrase to himself. What a -queer-looking object a person with one ear must be! - -“Did you cut it off?” - -“No,” replied Ajeeb smilingly, “Ashah attended to that little matter.” - -“Poor devil!” - -“What! Do you pity him?” - -“Yes; it would have been far more charitable to kill him.” - -“In a week, perhaps, he shall lose the other ear.” - -“In a week?” - -“Yes, if he persists in his denials that he has not that which I -seek,” said Ajeeb. “Were I to kill him at once, I should never, -perhaps, recover the Eye of Jobu.” - -“What do you care for the stone outside its intrinsic value?” - -The high priest looked at his visitor in amazement. - -“How can you talk like that?” he asked. “I would give my life a -thousand times over if it were possible to recover that sacred relic, -which for untold ages has been the property of my god.” - -Ajeeb spoke with the greatest depth of religious fervor. His eyes -stared, the muscles of his neck stood out like whipcords, and his -form trembled. Barry had never before seen him so manifest himself. - -“Perhaps he hasn’t got the stone,” remarked Billy, after a pause. - -“The villain claims it was stolen from him by his servant.” - -“That may be the truth.” - -“No.” - -“How can you tell?” - -“I know. But I want to speak to you about another matter.” - -“Concerning Stolburst?” - -“Certainly.” - -“Go ahead.” - -“Do you know many detectives in this city?” asked Ajeeb. - -“A few.” - -“Do you know this one?” And the high priest gave a description of -Burt Cromwell. - -“If your description is a good one, the man’s name is Burt Cromwell.” - -Until now Ajeeb had never heard the detective’s name. He had seen -Burt leave the St. Joseph flat, and leaped at the conclusion that -he was an officer and had been visiting Zulima. Of the interview -between the princess and her uncle we know. - -Had Burt delayed his departure from Zulima’s apartments he would have -met Ajeeb face to face. - -“Well,” said the high priest, “this man promises to cause trouble.” - -“To you?” - -“Both to you and me.” - -“Explain.” - -“He is employed by Stolburst, he told my niece, and is now searching -for the latter.” - -“Well?” - -“He believes that I have either murdered Stolburst, or had him -murdered.” - -Barry’s countenance took on a serious aspect. He had never had -dealings with Burt Cromwell, but New York friends of his had. - -Billy knew that the detective was a man who would never desert a -trail once he had taken it up. He now saw his own safety imperiled, -because of the part he had in the kidnaping of Stolburst. - -“Billy,” said Ajeeb, after a pause, “why do you look so serious?” - -“Because I feel that way.” - -“There is nothing to fear.” - -“Ajeeb, this is bad business.” - -“You think this detective will make trouble, eh?” asked the -Abyssinian. - -“I am sure of it.” - -“Nonsense. If he threatens us, I’ll have Ashah take care of his case.” - -“By that you mean----” - -“Ashah shall kill him.” - -Barry smiled. - -“Ajeeb, I’ll give you credit for being shrewd; but you will not be -able to overreach Burt Cromwell, mark my words for it.” - -“Billy, you are becoming cowardly.” - -“This man is a human sleuth-hound, I might say. Nothing but death -will arrest his progress, once he starts to unravel a case.” - -“Then he shall die.” - -“It is easy to say so.” - -“As a matter of fact, I have nothing to fear in any case. The -detective does not know me, nor has he any clue to work upon.” - -“Burt Cromwell will not be long in discovering a clue, take my word -for it.” - -Ajeeb smiled depreciatingly. - -“You exalt this man’s gifts to a ridiculous point,” he said. - -“My friend,” remarked Barry, “you know I am not a coward.” - -“I admit that.” - -“In a personal encounter I have never yet met a man able to best me, -but I will confess I am afraid of this man. Why, I do not know.” - -The high priest believed his friend to be a very brave fellow. That -made the fear Barry expressed all the more impressive. - -“This detective, you say, is brave?” - -“Yes, and shrewd.” - -“I am sorry.” - -“Why?” - -“Because I hate to send to his death a brave man who has not injured -me.” - -“His murder is uncalled for.” - -“No; if he is dead he cannot interfere with my plans.” - -“If you have Burt Cromwell harmed, you will regret it,” said Barry. - -“Give over your croaking; my decision is made--it is final.” - -And thus the heathen priest pronounced against Burt Cromwell. - -In the cellar of that same house was one in whom we are -interested--Henry Stolburst. His wounded head had been poulticed by -Ashah, but the poor fellow continued to suffer the most exquisite -pain. - -Henry Stolburst did not know he was in a cellar. The floor was -carpeted, and red curtains were so hung as to form a room. - -Both his feet and hands were unbound, but either Deth or Ashah -constantly guarded him. The latter never exchanged a word with the -hapless prisoner. - -After the first day Deth was more communicative. While Ajeeb and -Barry talked above stairs, Henry Stolburst and Deth talked below. The -explorer had had a slight acquaintance with the man in Africa. - -“Deth,” said Henry Stolburst, for at least the twentieth time since -he was imprisoned, “why can you not listen to reason? Release me and -I will make you rich.” - -“What would money be to me without life?” returned the Abyssinian. - -“You can hide yourself from the wrath of Ajeeb.” - -Deth smiled grimly. - -“You were not able to do so.” - -“No; I was led into a trap.” - -“So it would be with me. Were I to thwart the high priest, he would -follow me to the end of the world, but he would have revenge.” - -“You are not his slave?” - -“I am.” - -“In your own country he might claim you as such, but here all men are -free.” - -“’Tis a strange country, then,” remarked the heathen. - -Deth could not understand there should be a country where slavery was -not practised. - -“In America you are free to go and come as you choose. Besides paying -you a large sum of money, I will make you my companion. I am rich, -and anything you may desire, which money can purchase, will be yours. - -“I shall exact no services from you. Choose! Which is the better--a -life of perpetual ease with me, or as Ajeeb’s slave?” - -Deth was deeply interested. - -“Have you made this same offer to Ashah?” he inquired. - -“No.” - -“Why should you select me to tempt instead of him?” - -“Can you not guess?” - -Henry Stolburst placed his hand over the wound made by the removal of -his ear. - -“I understand,” said the Abyssinian. “Ashah says he is soon to cut -off the other.” - -The explorer gave a great start. He was a brave man, but tears came -to his eyes despite his efforts to keep them back. If his life was -spared, how could he go out in the world maimed as he was? - -Only one ear--perhaps none! What would people say who met him? His -mental agony was far more keen than his physical sufferings. - -“Did Ashah tell you this?” - -“Yes.” - -“There must be some mistake.” - -“No; if Ajeeb has not the Eye of Jobu in his possession four days -hence, you will lose the other ear.” - -“Great Heaven! Can such things be in America?” exclaimed Henry -Stolburst. - -It is strange, but true, that this man was actually tortured as -described in the heart of New York City. Thousands daily passed the -house in which he was a prisoner, but no cry of his could reach them. -He might as well be in the depth of Africa as in that cellar, as far -as making himself heard outside was concerned. - -“Deth,” said the explorer, after a pause, “do you like to see me -suffer?” - -“I have seen men killed.” - -“Why does not Ajeeb kill me?” - -“He has his reasons.” - -“How can I give him that accursed diamond when I haven’t got it?” - -“Do you speak the truth?” - -“Have I not told you a hundred times that the stone was stolen from -me?” - -“It is very unfortunate.” - -“What can I do? Come, won’t you listen to my offer again?” - -Deth shook his head. Henry Stolburst was in despair. - -“Will you lend me your knife for a moment?” pleaded the prisoner. - -“No. You would do away with yourself.” - -“Then I’ll take it!” - -With the fury of a madman Henry Stolburst sprang at the Abyssinian. -His fingers clutched the man’s throat. - -Deth was taken unawares. With great strength, born of desperation, -Henry Stolburst bore the man to the floor. - -“Stop!” - -It was Ashah who spoke. Henry Stolburst looked up. Just then the -newcomer caught hold of him and dragged him away from Deth. - -“What does this mean?” asked Ashah. - -“I wished to provoke him, so he would kill me.” - -“Your time will come shortly.” - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - A WISE BARTENDER. - - -The blow that felled Burt Cromwell was delivered by Quick’s bartender. - -“Well done, Andy!” cried Mike. - -And then he hastily left. Andy had slipped behind the detective, -unperceived by the latter. - -He threw the sand-bag carelessly on the floor, and got a pitcher of -ice-water. Then he set about reviving the unconscious officer. After -a little while, Burt Cromwell opened his eyes. - -Andy helped him into a chair, and produced a bottle of brandy and a -glass. - -“Are you feeling any better, sir?” - -The bartender was very solicitous. Burt Cromwell stared hard at him. - -“Who knocked me out? Don’t say you don’t know.” - -“But I do know,” returned Andy. - -And he certainly did. Burt Cromwell drank the brandy. - -“Who was it?” - -“Simon Costello.” - -“Who is Simon Costello?” - -“Don’t you know him?” - -“I wouldn’t ask, blockhead, if I did,” replied the detective testily. - -“He’s a friend of Quick’s from Philadelphia. Here’s what he laid you -out with.” - -Andy exhibited the sand-club. Burt looked hard at the fellow. The -bartender’s features were all but expressionless. - -“If I had got onto the fellow,” continued Andy, “you wouldn’t have a -sore ‘conk’ now.” - -Burt smiled. - -“Don’t give me taffy.” - -“I ain’t.” - -“You were glad to see me laid out.” - -Andy looked aggrieved. - -“If that was the case,” he said, “I should not have helped to bring -you around.” - -“Where did Quick skip to?” - -“I’ll never tell you.” - -“I didn’t suppose you would.” - -“I mean I don’t know where he has skipped to.” - -“How long have you been with him?” asked Burt. - -“A couple of months; but I’m going to leave, old man.” - -“Why?” - -“This place is too hot for my blood, that’s all. If I stay here, -first thing I know I’ll find myself wearing stripes.” - -“What have you been doing?” - -“Nothing. But if you have this crib pulled at any time, I’m likely to -be scooped in with the rest,” remarked innocent Andy. - -“You know me?” - -“I know you are a detective.” - -“Do you know Enoch Cook?” - -“Yes; he is quite chummy with the boss,” replied Andy. - -“Then you must also know Dick Kidd?” - -“I’ve heard the name.” - -“But you don’t know him, eh?” - -“No.” - -“When did you see Cook last?” - -“Night before last.” - -“Who was Quick fighting with?” - -“No one, that I know of.” - -“How did he get his shirt spotted with blood?” - -“I didn’t know there was any blood on his shirt,” remarked Andy. - -At this juncture a third party appeared upon the scene. It was Enoch -Cook. He turned to flee. - -Burt was too quick for him. Covering Enoch with a revolver, he -ordered him to be seated. Then Burt requested the bartender to leave -the room. - -Cook had not seen Quick since the latter’s visit to Monte Murphy. -After his crime in Elizabeth Street Mike did not return to his saloon -until the next day. Consequently Enoch knew nothing about the tragedy. - -“Now, my fellow,” said the detective, “you won’t slip through my -fingers so easily this time as you did before. Perhaps it will -interest you to know that Pierre Jacquet is dying.” - -Cook became deathly pale, and he felt his spine grow weak. The -Frenchman’s death would make him a murderer. - -It was hard enough to be compelled to serve a long term in prison, -but the gallows---- The thought of that grim instrument of death -almost froze the blood in his veins. - -“Who is Pierre Jacquet?” - -Cook’s voice was hoarse, and it hardly rose above a whisper. - -“You know who I mean.” - -“I don’t.” - -“Why will you be so silly? I mean the man you stabbed in Frankfort -Street--the man whose wife your friend Kidd ran off with.” - -“There must be a mistake. I never stabbed any one.” - -“You never stopped at a cabaret in Paris, kept by one Pierre -Jacquet?” - -Cook hesitated. - -“Yes,” he said finally, “but I know nothing of Kidd running off with -the fellow’s wife.” - -“Nor you didn’t stab him?” - -“No; I did not even know the fellow was in this country.” - -“Enoch, you know very well you can’t throw dust in my eyes.” - -“Jacquet may be here, but I never stabbed him,” said Cook. - -“Perhaps it was your friend Kidd who did that,” remarked Burt. - -“Possibly.” - -“Well, at any rate, you will have to stand trial.” - -Cook looked glum. He had no thought of resisting the detective. - -Enoch knew that if he made a dash for liberty, Burt would shoot him -down. He very meekly allowed Burt to slip handcuffs on his wrists. - -“I hope for your sake,” said the detective, “that this man may -recover. Bad as you are, I should not like to have you die on the -gallows.” - -“We used to be friends.” - -“Yes, that was long ago. Do not recall the past; it will not help -your case any.” - -“Suppose I was to put you in the way of this famous green diamond, of -which you are in search?” remarked Enoch. - -“So, you rascal, you do know where that precious gem is?” - -“I haven’t said that.” - -“Then what do you mean?” - -“I might be able to put you on the track of it,” replied Enoch. - -The villain was willing to pay any price for his liberty. At any -rate, he argued, it was better for Burt to recover the great diamond -than Monte Murphy should have it. He felt confident Mike Quick had -not recovered the stone from the old “fence.” - -“Have you seen Stolburst since you came to New York?” - -“Yes--once.” - -“When was that?” - -“Over two weeks ago.” - -“You are quite sure you have not seen him within the past four days?” - -“I am positive I have not.” - -“Do you know an Abyssinian priest who calls himself Ajeeb?” - -“Yes; he is in New York.” - -“How do you know?” - -“I’ve seen him.” - -“Did you talk with him?” - -The prisoner smiled. - -“Catch me doing that!” he said. - -“Why not?” - -“I was with Stolburst when the eye of the idol was stolen, and that -may be known to Ajeeb.” - -“Well?” - -“Ajeeb might feel bound to kill me. See? He and his crew think -nothing of taking human life. Often have they offered up one hundred -persons as sacrifice in their temple.” - -“Stolburst is in this man’s power now,” remarked the detective. - -Cook became a shade paler. - -“God help him, then!” - -“Do you suppose this Ajeeb would kill the explorer?” - -“I am sure of it,” replied Enoch. “If Stolburst could return the -green diamond, he might escape with his life. Even then his chances -would be doubtful; the heathen never forgives one who desecrates his -temples of idols.” - -“Stolburst could not return the Eye of Jobu. Your friend Kidd has it, -I suppose.” - -“He did have it.” - -“Hasn’t he got it now?” - -“No.” - -“Sold it, eh?” - -“It was stolen from him.” - -Burt smiled. - -“I’m not going to believe that story,” he said. - -“Do you know Monte Murphy?” - -“The ‘fence’?” - -“Yes; he’s got the diamond.” - -“Then he purchased it?” - -“No.” - -“Explain.” - -Enoch told how Monte had captured the Eye of Jobu. He took particular -care not to mention anything concerning his last interview with Mike -Quick. - -“So,” remarked Burt, “you let old Monte Murphy do you?” - -“Joe Snell and Pat Brady had the drop on us.” - -“Come!” - -“Where?” - -“We will pay Murphy a visit.” - -“Don’t ask me to walk through the streets with these on, please.” - -Enoch held out his manacled wrists. After a moment’s hesitation, Burt -removed the handcuffs. - -“Enoch,” he said, “if you do the square thing, I may befriend you; -try to escape, and I will shoot you down.” - -“I give you my word I shall not try to escape,” said Cook. - -The rascal meant to keep his word. Upon arriving at Murphy’s, Burt -rang the bell. A young man’s head appeared at one of the upper -windows. - -“What do you want?” - -“To see Monte.” - -“You can’t see him.” - -“Come down and open the door.” - -“I won’t.” - -“If you don’t, I’ll burst the door off its hinges,” said Burt. - -“Who are you?” - -“I am a detective.” - -“Got a warrant?” - -“Yes.” - -“I’ve got my orders not to admit any one to the house.” - -“You’d better admit me.” - -“I won’t, all the same.” - -“Is Murphy at home?” - -“He has left the city.” - -“That’s a lie!” - -“Perhaps it is.” - -“Will you open the door?” - -“No.” - -Burt threw his shoulders against it. The door did not budge. - -“My friend,” said the young man, leveling a revolver at the -detective, “try that again, and I’ll come pretty near sending a -bullet through your brain!” - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - AT MONTE MURPHY’S. - - -A crowd gathered around the “fence,” one member of which--a laborer -returning from work--had a crowbar. - -Burt seized the iron bar. - -“Burt,” said Cook, “don’t do anything rash, I beg of you!” - -Burt looked at the fellow in surprise. - -“What do you care whether I get shot?” he asked. - -“I do care; and I am sure that fellow means to shoot.” - -Two policemen came running up, and, at sight of them, the strange -young man withdrew from the window. - -Burt explained to the police who he was, and stated it was necessary -he should gain entrance to the “fence.” The officers beat a lively -tattoo on the door with their clubs. The young man then condescended -to open it. - -Burt stepped inside, followed by Cook. - -“I guess I can paddle my own boat now,” he said to the policemen, and -they withdrew. - -Burt closed and locked the door. Then he turned upon the young man -who had threatened him. The latter now looked rather sheepish. - -“Who are you?” asked Burt. - -“Some folks call me Tony Riley.” - -“What are you doing here?” - -“I was going to ask you that question, mister,” said Riley. - -“Answer me.” - -“I’m here because this is my home.” - -“Where is Monte?” - -“How do I know?” - -“Don’t be so saucy.” - -“I don’t know where he is.” - -“Ain’t he in the house?” - -“No. What do you want with him?” - -“That is none of your business. When did he leave?” - -“That is none of your business.” - -Burt raised his fist threateningly. Tony reached for his revolver. -The detective sprang upon the fellow, and bore him to the floor. Then -Burt disarmed Riley. - -“Now,” he said, allowing the man to rise, “I want you to be more -civil.” - -“This is an outrage!” - -“What?” - -“You forcing your way into this house and assaulting me.” - -“Have a care, or I’ll give you substantial reasons for complaining!” - -“I’ve done nothing.” - -“You threatened to shoot me.” - -“That was only a bluff.” - -“When did Monte leave?” - -“I don’t know.” - -“You do know.” - -“Have it that way, if you choose.” - -“When do you expect him to return?” asked the detective. - -“I wasn’t here when he went out.” - -“There are others in the house?” - -“I don’t know that there are.” - -Burt handcuffed Cook and Riley together. The latter protested -vigorously, but Enoch said never a word. - -Burt then started to explore the house. He found the “fence’s” -bedroom in confusion, and the carpet and bedclothing covered with -blood. The safe-door stood open. Had Monte been murdered? - -That was the question the detective asked himself. A few deeds and a -couple of insurance policies were all that remained in the safe. - -The Eye of Jobu was not there. - -Burt searched the house from garret to cellar without finding any -person. At the conclusion of this search, he returned to the hall -where he had left his two prisoners. - -“Riley,” he said, “were you concerned in this murder?” - -“What murder?” - -The young fellow seemed totally unconcerned. - -“You know what I mean.” - -“I don’t, just the same.” - -“Have you been in Murphy’s bedroom to-day?” - -Burt had once visited that room before, in searching for stolen -goods, and he knew the “fence” slept there. - -“Yes.” - -“What does all that blood on the bed and carpet mean?” - -“I wish you’d tell me,” said Tony. “It rather puzzles me.” - -“You know, and you must explain.” - -“I can’t.” - -“The safe has been rifled.” - -“I guess there wasn’t much in it,” returned Riley unconcernedly. - -“Did you see Monte to-day?” - -“I’ve already told you I didn’t.” - -“Did you stop here last night?” - -“No.” - -“You say this is your home?” - -“So it is, at times.” - -“What are you to Murphy?” - -“His servant.” - -“That’s a lie. The man is too miserly to have a servant. Cook, did -you ever see this fellow before?” - -“Yes.” - -“Who is he?” - -“I only know he used to travel with Bull Blair’s gang.” - -“Bull Blair, eh?” - -The man was one of the most hardened ruffians in New York. Riley -looked daggers at Enoch. - -“What was done with the ‘fence’s’ body?” asked Burt. - -“I don’t know that he is dead,” replied the prisoner. - -“Murder has certainly been done in this house. I’m sure of that.” - -“You may be right, mister, but I know nothing about it.” - -“Where were you last night?” - -“That is my affair.” - -“I choose to make it mine.” - -“I wasn’t here. When I came back this morning, I found Murphy’s room -as you found it. Some one must have been cut, that’s certain, but I -don’t know who the party is.” - -“How do Bull Blair and Monte stand?” inquired Burt. - -“They are friends.” - -Burt looked at his prisoner long and earnestly. He believed the blood -that had been shed was that of the “fence.” What had the murderer or -murderers done with the body? - -Burt believed, if not an actual actor, Riley was an accessory to the -crime. - -“Tony,” said the detective, “you had better make a clean breast of -the whole business.” - -“I don’t know anything about the affair,” the prisoner said. - -“I am satisfied you do.” - -“I’ll bet that blood never came from old man Monte.” - -“Why do you hold that opinion?” - -“Murphy would be dead if he lost all that blood.” - -“Then he is dead,” said Burt. “Perhaps Bull Blair can give me some -information on the subject.” - -“Blair wasn’t into it.” - -“How do you know?” - -“Because I was with him all night, and he did not come here.” - -“What did Monte do with that big diamond he took from Cook, here?” - -“I don’t know that he took a diamond from any one.” - -“What do you know?” - -“I know that you are acting exceedingly fresh,” returned Tony. - -Burt smiled. He released Cook, and placed both handcuffs on the -other’s wrists. Then he took Enoch aside. - -“Now,” he said, “I am going to do something contrary to my duty.” - -“I do not understand.” - -“I’m going to trust you.” - -“I swear you may!” - -Enoch spoke from the bottom of his heart. It was something unusual -for any one, outside of a pal, to trust him. - -“Now, I may as well tell you, there is no likelihood of Jacquet dying -from the wound you inflicted.” - -Cook’s face became radiated with joy. - -“Now,” added the detective, “I suppose you will admit that you -stabbed him?” - -“He would have killed me, Burt, if I didn’t,” said Cook. - -“Will you be true to me and help me find Stolburst?” - -“Willingly.” - -“Remember,” said Burt, “that, if you are false to me, the loss will -be on your side.” - -“I’m tired of this business, Burt; you’ll see I’ll act square.” - -Both men started at the sound of an agonizing groan. It seemed to -come from under their feet. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - MURPHY’S DEATH. - - -Both men listened intently. The groan was repeated. - -Enoch tore aside the carpet. A trap was disclosed, and he opened it. - -Burt lighted a match, and looked into the opening. He saw a flight of -stairs. - -“I’ll go down,” said Enoch; and he did so. - -The stairs were enclosed on all four sides. At the bottom of the -shaft Cook found Monte Murphy. The old fence was all but unconscious. - -Enoch picked him up in his arms and began the ascent, which he found -laborious, the stairway being very steep. - -When Cook arrived in the hall with his ghastly burden, Tony Riley -turned deathly pale. Murphy’s clothing was saturated with blood. - -Burt sent Enoch after a doctor. The wounded man continued to moan -piteously. When the doctor came, he expressed surprise that the old -man could have bled so much and lived. He made Monte as comfortable -as possible, and had Cook help him carry the man to bed. - -The doctor said that, at most, his patient could not survive beyond a -few hours. - -“Now, my man,” said Burt, addressing Riley, when the “fence” was -removed, “what have you got to say for yourself?” - -“I didn’t know the old jigger was down there,” replied Tony. - -“I’ll soon know whether you did or not.” - -“At any rate, I don’t know who stabbed him,” said Riley. - -Cook now returned, and, leaving him in charge of Tony, Burt visited -the “fence’s” bedside. Burt felt that he could safely trust Enoch to -guard his prisoner, and his confidence was not misplaced. - -As Burt entered the sick-chamber, he was met by the doctor, who -gently forced him outside. - -“The man is now conscious,” said the physician; “but, as I have -already declared, his death is only a matter of a few hours.” - -“Does he know I am in the house?” - -“I told him there was an officer here.” - -“Is he able to converse?” - -“Oh, yes,” replied the doctor; “I wanted to say to you that I told -him there was a slight chance of him recovering.” - -“I should have told him the truth; it is cruel to deceive him.” - -The physician colored. - -“I know my business!” he exclaimed. - -“I rather doubt that. What is your fee?” - -The doctor named his fee, and Burt paid it. Then Burt went in to see -the “fence.” - -Monte Murphy was bolstered up in bed with pillows. He immediately -recognized his visitor. - -“Am I going to die?” - -That was Murphy’s first question. - -“What did the doctor say?” - -“That I might recover; but I did not believe him.” - -“He told you a lie; you have no possible chance,” said Burt. - -Monte gave a great start. He did not want to die. Who does? - -For more than fifty years Murphy had led a most wicked life. He had -once been married, and it was said of him that he had starved his -wife to death. - -Monte was a firm believer in eternal punishment. It was not the -physical torture of death he feared; it was the hereafter. - -Burt believed it was his bounden duty to tell the sufferer the truth. -Murphy used to tell himself that one day or another he would begin -a life of repentance. The day never came, and now he stood on the -threshold of an after-life. - -“Oh!” he said, in the most bitter anguish; “I must surely have some -little chance!” - -Burt shook his head, but did not otherwise reply. - -“Give me some of that.” - -Monte pointed to a flask upon the mantel. Burt smelled of the flask, -and found it contained whisky. He handed it to the wounded man. - -Monte gulped down a big drink. The liquor gave him false courage. - -“I won’t die; I feel better already,” he said. “Now, what brings you -here?” - -“I came to recover the property you stole.” - -“The big diamond?” - -“Yes.” - -“Curse the gem! But it is accursed. Had I never seen it, this -misfortune would not have come to me!” groaned Murphy. - -“Where is it?” - -“I haven’t got it.” - -“You stole it?” - -“I don’t deny that; but, in turn, the diamond, and all my other -valuables that were in yonder safe, were stolen from me.” - -“By whom?” - -“Bull Blair and Tony Riley.” - -“Which of them stabbed you?” - -“Neither.” - -Burt regarded the “fence” with surprise. - -“You didn’t stab yourself?” - -“No; an agent of Kidd and Cook ‘done’ me,” replied Monte. - -“How do you know the party was their agent?” inquired Burt. - -“I had his word for it.” - -“Do you mean to say they sent him here to murder you?” - -“They certainly sent him after the diamond; he could not have known I -possessed it unless they told him.” - -“Who is this man?” - -“Mike Quick.” - -Burt emitted a low whistle. Now he knew why Quick had turned pale -when he last confronted him. - -“Mike did not get the diamond?” - -“No; Bull Blair collared it.” - -“Blair did not know of you having it, did he?” asked Burt. - -“No; he came here to gut my safe, and he took that with the rest. I -am ruined.” - -Tears coursed down the wretched miser’s furrowed cheeks. It was for -the loss of money he could never enjoy he wept. - -“I have Tony Riley in custody.” - -“I’ve fed and clothed that rascal, and it was he who put Bull Blair -up to rob me.” - -“Then it wasn’t Quick who left you at the foot of the cellar shaft?” - -“No; it was Blair and Riley,” replied Monte; “but I will get square!” - -He would not realize that he stood on the edge of the grave. - -“Where do you suppose Bull can be found?” asked Burt. - -“Leave him to me. I’ll take care of him!” - -“Won’t you answer my question?” - -“I have answered it.” - -“Monte, I must recover that diamond.” - -“Who owns it?” - -“That does not concern you.” - -“Neither does it concern you where Blair is to be found.” - -“I must be personally revenged upon him. He found me dying, and he -threw me in the shaft, to die like a dog!” - -A fit of coughing prevented the miser from proceeding farther just -then. Burt raised the man higher in the bed, that he might breathe -more freely. Monte did not even thank him. - -“Don’t you think you had better see a minister?” asked Burt. - -Murphy laughed. - -“I’m not going to die, I tell you,” he said. - -“Won’t you tell me where I can find Bull Blair?” - -“No.” - -“Then I shall find him without your help,” said Burt. - -“In a day or two I shall find him myself, and I shall also settle my -little account with Mike Quick.” - -The old “fence” seemed to be seized with a sudden chill. He tried to -speak, but was unable. Then he clutched his own throat wildly. The -whisky flask had fallen on the bed, and its contents ran from it. - -Monte Murphy was a corpse! Burt caught hold of the man’s wrist. He -found that the pulse had ceased to beat. Mike Quick was a murderer. - -But how was his crime to be brought home to him? - -Burt only had Murphy’s word for the dive-keeper’s guilt, and now -Murphy was dead. He straightened the corpse upon the bed, and -placed a handkerchief over the features of the dead. Then he went -down-stairs. - -Cook stood guard over Tony. - -“How is the old fellow coming on?” asked Enoch. - -“He is dead.” - -Riley’s hair almost stood on end from fright. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - BURT’S NEW ALLY. - - -“Why did you remain behind Bull Blair?” - -Burt addressed his prisoner. - -“I wanted to pack up some of my things that are here. I happened to -stretch myself on a lounge up-stairs, and fell asleep, or I would -have left here hours ago.” - -“You and Blair are partly responsible for Murphy’s death.” - -“Don’t say that.” - -Tony trembled like an aspen. - -“It is the truth; the man might have lived had he not been thrown -down the shaft into the cellar,” said Burt. - -“I had nothing to do with it. I begged Bull to allow him to remain in -his bed.” - -“Did Monte say who stabbed him?” - -“Yes; Mike Quick.” - -Now Enoch Cook gave a great start. Burt noticed his agitation, but -did not comment upon it then. - -“Where is the plunder that was taken from Murphy’s safe?” - -“I have none of it.” - -“Where is it, I ask?” - -“Blair took everything away with him,” replied Tony. - -“Where is he to be found?” - -“I can’t tell.” - -“You mean you won’t tell.” - -“I dare not.” - -“Why?” - -“I’m afraid of Bull Blair.” - -“I guess he won’t have a chance to reach you for some time to come. -Did you see him take a large diamond from the safe?” - -“No; I did not see any large diamond--there was an emerald.” - -Burt knew his prisoner referred to the Eye of Jobu. - -“Now, you must tell me where I am likely to meet Blair.” - -“I’ll die first!” - -Leaving Cook in charge of the house, Burt took his prisoner to the -nearest police station, and reported the death of Monte Murphy. A -policeman was sent around to take charge of the “fence.” Enoch joined -the detective outside of Murphy’s. - -“Now,” said Burt, “I believe you sent Quick to recover the diamond.” - -Cook grew pale. - -“I told Mike what had become of the stone,” he said. - -“Well?” - -“Mike said he would make the old man give it up; but I had no idea he -would go so far as to stab Murphy.” - -“Was Quick a partner of yours?” - -“We decided to take him in after Murphy took the stone from us.” - -“Did either you or Kidd accompany him to the fence?” - -“No; he went alone.” - -Burt believed Enoch. Murphy had not implicated the latter, as he -certainly would have done had Cook returned to the house with Quick. - -“I am more anxious to rescue Henry Stolburst, if he lives, than I am -to find the diamond.” - -“Burt,” said Cook, “do you suppose Stolburst would tell Ajeeb that -Kidd and I had the diamond?” - -“He’d be a fool if he didn’t.” - -Enoch started. - -“I do not want to have those devilish Abyssinians gunning for me. In -their temples, they torture men in the most infamous manner.” - -“But you are not in Abyssinia now.” - -“No; but they are here. What do you suppose Ajeeb cares for law? -Nothing.” - -“If he has harmed Stolburst,” said the detective, “I will see to it -that the law will reach him.” - -“You will have to deal with a fox. If you show your hand so Ajeeb can -see it, beware of secret assassins.” - -“You believe he did not come to this country alone?” - -“I am sure of it. A man known as Ashah always attends the high -priest.” - -“What are Ashah’s functions?” - -“He is the high priest’s executioner,” replied Enoch. - -“How long did you live among these people?” asked Burt. - -“For more than three months.” - -“Then you know the young woman called Zulima?” - -“Yes; Stolburst took great interest in the princess,” replied Cook. - -“She is here in New York.” - -“With Ajeeb?” - -“No. Stolburst brought her to this country,” said the detective. - -“Then they are married?” - -“No; I am quite sure such is not the case.” - -“Stolburst was very sweet on the girl while I was with him in London.” - -“Where has Kidd taken up his residence?” asked Burt. - -“I do not know.” - -“Don’t you live together?” - -“No.” - -“Which of you stole the diamond?” - -“Dick did.” - -Burt smiled. - -“Of course,” he said, “you will not criminate yourself.” - -“I’m telling you the truth.” - -“How do the heathen generally despatch their victims?” - -“Invariably by the sword.” - -“Have you ever seen them put any one to death?” asked Burt. - -“No; but Stolburst did, and I heard him tell of it.” - -“You have no idea where this man Ajeeb is stopping?” - -“Not the slightest.” - -“You only saw him once?” - -“That is all.” - -“Where did you see him?” - -“Near Union Square.” - -“Enoch, if you can locate him for me, I will give you a hundred -dollars.” - -“I don’t want money. I’d like to see you round that little devil up.” - -“Why?” - -“Well, if for no other reason, because I am afraid of him.” - -“You locate him, and I will attend to his case. Now, I want you to -promise not to tell Mike Quick what I have learned.” - -“I will not go near Quick’s.” - -“Remember,” said Burt, “that, if I find you are unfaithful, I will -‘railroad’ you to Sing Sing.” - -“You can just bet I will bear that in mind!” returned Enoch. - -They then parted, after Cook had promised to hunt for Ajeeb. Enoch -lied when he claimed not to know Kidd’s address. After leaving the -detective, he visited his pal. - -Dick was about to leave his lodgings. In his hand he carried a small -package. - -“What have you there?” asked Enoch. - -“You have not recovered the diamond?” - -“No.” - -“Then Murphy shall never enjoy it! I have here a dynamite cartridge, -with which I intend to blow him and his crib up.” - -“You can save yourself the trouble.” - -“I’m determined.” - -“The man is dead.” - -“Dead?” ejaculated Kidd. - -“Yes; I just came from there,” replied Enoch. - -“Did you kill him?” - -“No.” - -“Who did?” - -“An unknown assassin.” - -Cook was true to the detective. - -“And the diamond?” - -“That and all the ‘fence’s’ other valuables were stolen.” - -Kidd staggered as if he had received a heavy blow. He had lost a -fortune. It was some slight satisfaction for him to know who had the -Eye of Jobu, even if he did not have it himself. Now it was in the -possession of some one unknown. - -“Enoch, you are not joking?” - -“I would not joke about so serious a matter,” replied Cook. - -“We are a pair of unfortunate devils. Think what a glorious time we -should have had had we been paid for the diamond.” - -“There is nothing left for us to do, that I can see, but grin and -bear it.” - -“You seem to take our loss quite cool,” said Kidd. - -“What’s the use of crying over it?” - -“You have an idea who killed and robbed the ‘fence’?” - -“No.” - -“How came you to go there?” - -“I thought I could prevail upon Monte to make some restitution.” - -“You never told me you intended to visit him,” said Dick. - -“I acted on the impulse of the moment.” - -“Now,” said Kidd, “I suppose the diamond is forever lost to us.” - -“I wish you never took it. The stone seems to bring misfortune to -every one who has possessed it.” - -“It is unlucky.” - -“Stolburst has probably been murdered by Ajeeb, or some of his crew.” - -“Enoch!” exclaimed Kidd excitedly; “the Abyssinian has recovered the -stone!” - -“How could he possibly know where to find it?” remarked Cook. - -“He is a professor of witchcraft,” replied Dick. “Did we not see him -make fire come out of the ground at our very feet?” - -“That affair was prearranged.” - -“No,” returned Kidd; “that man is in league with Satan.” - -“At any rate, whether by supernatural means or not, Ajeeb has -captured our old boss.” - -“Did Stolburst fall into his clutches?” - -“Yes.” - -“Who told you this?” - -“Burt Cromwell.” - -“What!” exclaimed Dick, in surprise; “have you and the detective -become friends?” - -“I wish such was the case.” - -“When did Burt Cromwell tell you?” - -“When he arrested me at Quick’s.” - -“Well, if Stolburst told the Abyssinian of me having stolen the -stone, I may find myself in a pretty pickle.” - -“You may be sure he told him.” - -“Then I guess the best thing I can do is to skip out of New York.” - -“Are you so very afraid of Ajeeb?” - -“You can just bet I am afraid of him!” replied Kidd. - -“I’ve heard you boast more than once you did not fear any man living.” - -“I meant no ordinary man; this Ajeeb is a demon.” - -“Don’t you think that, instead of leaving New York, you could occupy -yourself better in hunting for the green diamond?” - -“But, according to your statement, there is no possible chance of -recovering it,” said Dick. “How much money have you?” - -“About a hundred dollars.” - -“I have even less than that, and we must bestir ourselves and make a -raise. Suppose we take a trip to Philadelphia?” - -“New York is good enough for me.” - -“What do you intend to do here?” - -“Spy out some crib, and then crack it,” replied Cook. - -“The police here are too fly for my taste. If we go into business -here, we’ll soon find ourselves wearing stripes.” - -“I’m going to try and find the diamond.” - -“But you have no clew to work upon.” - -“I’ll discover one--leave me alone for that,” said Enoch confidently. - -“By the way,” said Kidd, “have you heard anything about your friend -Pierre Jacquet?” - -“Your friend, you mean,” laughed Cook. “I believe he is not expected -to live.” - -“I hope that is true.” - -“You are exceedingly kind. Consider that, if the Frenchman dies, I -shall be guilty of murder.” - -“That’s so. I killed the wife, and now you have attended to the -husband’s case.” - -“Well,” remarked Enoch, “I guess I’ll ramble over to Mike Quick’s.” - -“I’ll join you there bimeby.” - -Instead of going to Quick’s, Cook went up-town. For hours he loitered -about Union Square. It was there he had met Ajeeb. He hoped to meet -him again. Nor was he disappointed. - -At about ten o’clock, the Abyssinian passed him in Fourteenth Street. -Ajeeb did not seem to recognize him. Then Enoch started in to do some -shadowing. He followed the high priest to the latter’s house, and saw -him ascend the stoop. - -At that moment a heavy hand was laid upon Enoch’s shoulder. He -turned, and found himself face to face with Ashah. The executioner’s -features wore a grim smile. - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - - IN AJEEB’S CLUTCHES. - - -“Release me!” exclaimed Cook, trembling with fright. - -“Oh, no.” - -Enoch drew his revolver, only to have it snatched from his grasp. - -“What do you mean?” - -Ashah’s hand had closed on Cook’s coat collar. The latter tried to -break away, but did not succeed. - -“I do not mean to harm you,” remarked the Abyssinian. - -At this Enoch ceased to struggle. - -“Then why do you not release me?” - -“I would have a few words with you first,” replied Ashah. - -The Abyssinian spoke in easy tones, but that did not set Cook at ease. - -“Who are you?” - -Ashah smiled at the question. - -“Don’t you remember ever having seen me before?” he said. - -“No.” - -“Your name is Henry?” - -“My name is Cook.” - -“Just so; but I knew you as Henry.” - -“I never went by that name.” - -“Did you ever cross the ocean?” - -“Never.” - -“Can it be I am mistaken?” - -“You certainly are, if you think you ever met me before.” - -Enoch began to pluck up courage. - -“I have a remarkable memory for faces and names.” - -“You err now, then.” - -“Perhaps I do; excuse me.” - -Ashah released his hold on Cook’s collar. The latter turned to go -away. As he did so, the Abyssinian struck him on the back of the neck -with all his strength. - -Enoch fell insensible to the pavement. When he recovered -consciousness, he found himself in a handsomely furnished parlor, and -in the presence of Ajeeb and a man he did not know. The latter was -Billy Barry. Ajeeb commanded Cook to be seated, and the latter obeyed. - -“Dog,” exclaimed the Abyssinian, “why did you shadow my footsteps?” - -“I did not follow you.” - -“Do not lie to me.” - -“I’m speaking the truth.” - -“I believe, Henry, or Cook, as you now call yourself, that we have -met before.” - -“I never saw you before.” - -Enoch’s glance sought the floor as he spoke. Ajeeb laughed. - -“You do not know one Henry Stolburst?” he said. - -“No.” - -The Abyssinian sprang upon Enoch, and grasped him by the throat. - -“How dare you lie to me?” - -Barry pulled the high priest away. - -“Well,” said Cook, “suppose I do know Henry Stolburst?” - -“You admit knowing him?” - -“Yes,” replied Enoch, making an immediate change of tactics. - -“You were in his employ?” - -“Yes.” - -“Did you ever see in his possession a wondrous diamond of greenish -hue?” - -“I did.” - -“You have become very candid.” - -“I have no right to answer you, but I don’t mind doing so.” - -Ajeeb smiled. - -“I guess,” he said, “I could discover a way to make you talk. Now, -what became of that diamond? If you can help me find it, I will make -you rich for life.” - -“It was never in my possession.” - -“Did not your fellow servant steal it?” - -“So Stolburst claimed.” - -“You ran away in company with Kidd,” remarked the Abyssinian. - -“Yes.” - -“Did he have the diamond?” - -Cook hesitated. Finally he answered in the affirmative. - -“Ajeeb,” said Barry, “now, you see, that poor devil Stolburst told -you truth.” - -“Suppose he did?” - -“Then you punished him unnecessarily,” replied Billy. - -“Oh, no; it was he who stole the Eye of Jobu from the temple.” - -“Now,” said the Abyssinian, turning to Enoch, “what did Kidd do with -his treasure?” - -“It was, in turn, stolen from him.” - -Ajeeb gave a great start. He was as far from recovering the Eye of -Jobu as ever. But did this fellow speak the truth? - -He doubted it. - -“You can’t make me believe that story,” said the high priest. - -“I saw it stolen.” - -“Then why did you not prevent the theft?” - -“Had I attempted to do so, I should have been killed.” - -“It was taken by force, eh?” - -“Certainly.” - -“Do you know the party who took it?” - -“Yes; the man is dead.” - -“And the diamond?” - -“It was stolen by the murderer.” - -“You cannot impose such a fiction upon me!” said Ajeeb, greatly -excited. - -“I am stating facts.” - -“Then be more explicit.” - -Cook then told all he knew about the robbery and murder, with the -exception that he did not mention Mike Quick. - -“So this detective is greatly interested in finding the diamond?” - -“Yes.” - -“Why?” - -“That he may have it returned to you.” - -“I did not engage him in the case,” remarked Ajeeb. - -“No, but Stolburst did.” - -“Then, if the detective found the stone, he would give it to his -employer?” - -“It amounts to the same thing. Stolburst would turn it over to you.” - -“Has the detective an idea who has the diamond?” - -“I believe he has.” - -“You did not hear him mention the party’s name?” said Ajeeb. - -“No.” - -“You seem to be very intimate with this detective?” - -“We were once schoolmates.” - -“Did you tell him Kidd had the diamond when the latter did have it?” - -“No.” - -“Why not?” - -“I did not then know that Burt Cromwell was interested in recovering -the stone.” - -“Would you have told him if you did know?” asked Ajeeb. - -“I certainly should.” - -“So I would judge; you have the appearance of an informer!” - -“I am anxious to save Stolburst from the consequences of his act.” - -“What has happened to him?” - -“You should be able to answer that question,” replied Enoch. - -“I?” - -“Is he not in your power?” - -“Who told you that story?” - -“Stolburst has disappeared, and the detective believes you have -either murdered the man, or that he is a prisoner in your keeping.” - -“Cromwell possesses a wonderful faculty as a guesser,” smiled Ajeeb. - -“Is not his surmise correct?” - -“I do not choose to answer such questions as you may choose to put to -me.” - -“I answered you quite willingly.” - -“Yes; but I am master here.” - -“You are not my master.” - -Cook was rather surprised at his own boldness. - -“I suppose,” said the Abyssinian, “this detective has vowed to find -Stolburst, or learn what has become of him?” - -“Yes.” - -“Do you think he will succeed?” - -“I am sure of it.” - -“Your confidence in your friend is quite charming,” remarked Ajeeb. - -“Burt Cromwell does not know what it is to fail,” said Enoch. - -“I should like to become acquainted with this wonderful man.” - -“Perhaps you may, one of these days,” remarked Cook. - -“Am I to regard your last speech in the form of a threat?” - -“Have you harmed Henry Stolburst?” - -“No.” - -“Then you have nothing to fear from this detective.” - -Again the Abyssinian laughed. - -“Suppose I have had Stolburst killed?” he said. - -“Then you are just so sure to die on the scaffold as the sun is to -rise to-morrow morning!” - -Ajeeb bit his lip. - -“I wish this fellow would call on me,” he said. - -“Do you mean Burt Cromwell?” - -“Yes; who else?” - -“Shall I tell him to call?” - -“No; I don’t care to exact that much from you,” replied Ajeeb. - -“It will be no trouble, I assure you,” declared Cook. - -“I hardly think you will see the detective very soon.” - -“What do you mean?” - -The Abyssinian clapped his hands. Ashah appeared. Ajeeb pointed at -Cook, and then made a peculiar sign. Enoch’s heart stood still. Was -he to be butchered? - -“Come.” - -Ashah beckoned to him. Cook did not move. - -“You won’t obey, eh?” - -Ashah caught the man up in his arms and carried him from the room. -Enoch was placed in the cellar apartment with Stolburst. - -The latter slept, and Deth stood on guard. Ashah tossed Cook into the -chamber, and then withdrew. The other prisoner awoke, with a start. -When his glance rested upon Enoch, he rubbed his eyes like one in a -dream. - -“Is it you, Sam Henry?” - -“My name is Enoch Cook.” - -“True; the detective declared that was your name,” said Stolburst. - -Enoch saw, when the explorer arose, that one of the latter’s ears was -missing. The sight caused a shudder to pass through him. Might not -his fate be a like one--or worse? - -“I am sorry for you,” said Enoch. - -Stolburst looked at his fellow prisoner in considerable surprise. - -“You have no pity to expend upon anybody,” he said. - -“Burt Cromwell is making every effort to relieve you from your -present condition.” - -“How do you know that?” - -“He told me.” - -“Are you friends?” - -“Yes; when I heard you had fallen into the power of these wretches, I -volunteered to help him find you,” answered Enoch. - -Stolburst regarded his companion with suspicion. Deth stood at the -farther end of the apartment, seemingly as immovable as a statue. -Like Ashah, he was well acquainted with English, and comprehended the -other’s conversation. - -“How came you here?” asked the explorer, after a pause. - -“I shadowed Ajeeb to the house, and was made prisoner by Ashah, who, -in turn, seems to have been shadowing me.” - -“Has Burt any knowledge that I am held a prisoner?” - -“He believes such to be the case.” - -“But for you I should not have had to endure the tortures I went -through,” said Stolburst bitterly. - -“What have I to do with it?” - -“You stole that unlucky diamond.” - -“I beg to differ with you.” - -“Kidd actually took it, but you were in the deal with him.” - -“That is not so.” - -“Where is Kidd?” - -“Here in New York.” - -“Has he disposed of the diamond?” inquired Stolburst. - -“No; it was stolen from him.” - -Then, for the second time that night, Cook told of Monte Murphy -stealing the Eye of Jobu, and the fate that had overtaken the “fence.” - -Enoch brought his narrative to a close by whispering to Stolburst -that Burt knew who had the stone. - -“If the diamond is not produced before the day after to-morrow,” said -Stolburst bitterly, “I am to lose my remaining ear.” - -“The brutes!” - -“Speak low. Deth is drinking in every word we say.” - -“What do I care?” - -“There may be a worse fate in store for you than I have undergone.” - -“I don’t think Ajeeb bears me any ill-will,” said Enoch. - -“Don’t flatter yourself with that idea,” remarked Stolburst. “You -will never escape from this place unharmed. You’ll be lucky if you -escape with your life.” - -“You are a poor consoler.” - -“I know the men we have to deal with better than you. I wish it had -been Dick Kidd they captured. But for that thief, I could have made -things square with the high priest.” - -“Kidd fears Ajeeb.” - -“Does Ajeeb believe Kidd stole the Eye of Jobu from me?” - -“Yes; I am sure he did.” - -“Then,” said Stolburst, with a grim smile, “the high priest will -punish him with death.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - FRANK HARE’S MISSION. - - -After leaving Cook, the detective went to his office. There he met -his assistant, Frank Hare, whom he had not seen in several days. - -“Well, old man,” said the latter, “did you find Enoch Cook at Mike -Quick’s?” - -“Yes.” - -“Learn anything from him?” - -“Not much; I want to find Mike Quick now,” said Burt. - -“What’s he been doing?” - -“He murdered Monte Murphy.” - -“The deuce!” exclaimed Hare. “How did that come about?” - -Burt told him. - -“Burt,” said Frank, “that beastly diamond seems unlucky.” - -“I don’t doubt but it has cost Stolburst his life.” - -“Have you no clue to his fate?” - -“I am quite sure he fell into the hands of this Ajeeb; I know nothing -more.” - -Then Burt informed his assistant of his interview with the beautiful -Zulima. - -“Say, old man,” remarked Hare, “the murder of Monte Murphy is none of -your funeral.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“Let the chaps at police headquarters find his murderer.” - -“They could not possibly succeed unless Tony Riley, Enoch Cook, or -myself give them a pointer,” said Burt. - -“Burt, I don’t like that idea of yours in trusting Cook.” - -“Why not?” - -“That fellow could not act square, no matter how hard he might try.” - -Burt laughed. - -“You don’t seem to have a very high opinion of the gentleman.” - -“No; and I’ll bet you’ll find that I’ve made no mistake in my -estimate of him.” - -“He’ll turn out all right, see if he don’t,” remarked Burt. - -“You say you are going to scoop Mike Quick in?” - -“Yes.” - -“I’ll take hold of the other end, then,” said Frank. - -“What do you mean?” - -“I’ll make Bull Blair disgorge.” - -“Can you find him?” - -“I’m sure to.” - -“I had intended to take that matter in charge myself.” - -“Leave it to me.” - -“You know what kind of a man you have to deal with?” - -Hare laughed lightly. - -“Did you ever know me to show fear?” he inquired. - -“No; but you cannot take too many precautions in dealing with Bull -Blair.” - -“I shall capture him easy as a wink.” - -“Frank, you are, without exception, the most sanguine person I know.” - -“I believe in a man having perfect confidence in himself.” - -“Yes; but there is such a thing as men failing because of -overconfidence.” - -“What! Are you going to read me a sermon?” smiled Hare. - -“No; but I wish you to steer clear of danger, my boy.” - -“If a stranger heard you talk, he would put me down for being a -blooming innocent.” - -“Where do you expect to find your man?” asked Burt. - -“At Steve Shaw’s.” - -“Does he hang out in that crib?” - -“Sure.” - -“It seems to me, Frank, that you know where every criminal in New -York hangs out.” - -“Ain’t that business, old man?” - -“Well, yes.” - -“You are sure Bull Blair is the man you want?” asked Frank. - -“Why do you ask?” - -“Bull claims to have become converted from his wicked ways.” - -Burt laughed. - -“If the gentleman was ever converted,” he said, “he has again fallen -from grace. His pal, Tony Riley, says Blair was into the job.” - -“Well, I’ll have a go at him.” - -At ten o’clock that night, Frank Hare, attired as a “tough,” entered -a basement saloon on Cherry Street. There was a platform at the rear -upon which was seated a long-haired young man, who banged away at a -decrepit piano. At the tables, scattered around the room, were many -men and women. - -As Frank’s luck would have it, Blair was there, and alone. Bull -was a great brute, standing all of six feet high, and being built -in proportion. There was no beard on his face, and he had one eye -missing. In front of the rascal stood a bottle of liquor, a small -pitcher of water, and a glass. - -Mr. Blair seemed in very good humor. Frank seated himself opposite -the brute, and called for a drink. He was promptly waited upon. - -“Say, young fellow,” remarked Blair, “who told you that you might sit -down at this ’ere table?” - -“Cully, have you any objections to me sitting here?” - -“My name ain’t Cully.” - -Bull glowered at Hare. - -“You don’t own the table.” - -“Young fellow, I don’t allow any one that comes in here to give me -lip!” - -“Where do you bury your dead?” - -“I’m Bull Blair.” - -“Glad to make your acquaintance.” - -“Never heard of me before, eh?” - -“No.” - -“You wouldn’t be so sassy if you did,” said Blair. - -“Wouldn’t I?” - -“No; you know that I generally thump those that give me back slack!” - -“Are you going to thump me?” - -“I ought to.” - -“Don’t.” - -“Well, I won’t. Have a drink with me, and we’ll be friends. I’m -waiting for a pal of mine, and he is a deuced long time in getting -here.” - -Hare knew he referred to Tony Riley. - -“I’ll drink with you.” - -Frank did. - -“Where do you hail from, young fellow?” asked Blair. - -“Philadelphia.” - -“That town’s asleep, and it ain’t ever going to wake up.” - -“That’s the reason I skinned out for New York,” said Frank. - -“On the ‘cross’?” - -“I’ve done a couple of stretches in Moyamensing Prison.” - -“What’s your lay?” - -“Second-story.” - -“Ever been in an out-and-out house-cracking job?” - -“Yes--once.” - -“I rather like your looks.” - -“Glad to hear it.” - -“Have another drink?” - -Frank joined the rascal in a drink. - -“Got any friends here?” asked Blair, after a pause. - -“Only one.” - -“Do I know the party?” - -“Can’t say.” - -“Who is he?” - -“A chap named Mike Quick.” - -“So you know that jay, eh?” - -“I’ve met him a couple of times, and he told me if ever I came to New -York to drop in and see him.” - -“Have you been to his place?” - -“Just came from there.” - -“Didn’t get much of a welcome, eh?” - -“Mike was away from home.” - -“Who did you see?” - -“The bartender.” - -“Did he say he expected his boss back very shortly?” - -“No.” - -Bull laughed wearily. - -“I guess you ain’t likely to see your friend for a spell,” he said. - -“Why, is Mike in trouble?” - -“If he ain’t, he’s likely to be at almost any moment.” - -“What has he done?” - -“I ain’t going to tell you that.” - -“Are you afraid to trust me?” - -“Why shouldn’t I be?” - -“Ain’t I a friend of Mike Quick’s?” - -“So you say.” - -“Well, you don’t suppose I’d lie about such a small matter?” - -“Some people can’t help lying, no matter how much they try.” - -“I ain’t one of that sort.” - -“You do look like a good fellow, even if I do say it to your face. By -the way, you haven’t told me your name.” - -“Dan Dimont.” - -“Don’t like it.” - -“Why?” - -“Sounds too much like the name of a song-and-dance man.” - -Hare laughed. - -“I don’t know what I’m going to do if Quick has gone away for good.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“I counted upon getting a gift from him,” replied Frank. - -“Broke, eh?” - -“No; I’ve got a little stuff.” - -“Then what’s the use of growling?” - -“I want work to do.” - -“Are you sure you don’t know any of the boys except Mike Quick?” - -“I wish I did.” - -“I’ll have the friend for whom I’m waiting put you onto something -good.” - -“Have you anything on hand?” - -“What do you mean?” - -“Simply that you let me into something where I can make a stamp.” - -“I might take you in myself, only for one thing.” - -“What is the objection?” - -“I don’t know how far you can be trusted,” replied Bull. - -“I wish you did know me well,” replied Hare. - -“Would you, now?” - -“Yes; I rather think you must be a pretty good one.” - -Blair smiled complacently. The other’s flattery touched him. Like -many men in higher walks of life, the rascal was filled with -self-conceit. - -“Who do you know in Philadelphia that amounts to anything?” - -“There’s Stonewall Bob; he’ll vouch for me,” replied Frank. - -“What!” cried Bull, in surprise; “do you mean to say you know -Stonewall?” - -“Yes; I’ve worked with him.” - -“Why didn’t you say that at first, my lad?” remarked Blair. - -“I didn’t suppose you knew.” - -Bull laughed. - -“I’d be a nice gilly if I didn’t know the best crook outside of New -York! So you know Stonewall Bob, eh?” - -“I told you I did.” - -“If I had met you last night, I’d have put a big-sized bone in your -way.” - -“Why, were you onto a good thing?” asked Hare nonchalantly. - -“I turned the best trick of my lifetime,” answered Bull proudly. - -“How much did it amount to?” - -“I haven’t made up a valuation of the stuff yet.” - -“It must be considerable, if it’s the best haul you ever made.” - -“Are there any jewelers in Philadelphia that have big capital, and -would be willing to handle any stuff that might be brought to them?” - -“I know one who has paid out as much as fifty thousand dollars for a -single lot of diamonds,” said Hare. - -Bull Blair’s eyes brightened. - -“That is the very chap I want to deal with,” he said. - -“Have you diamonds?” - -“Yes; and some watches.” - -“I don’t think the party I allude to will touch the watches.” - -“That don’t matter; I can easily dispose of them here in New York.” - -“I’ll go with you to Philadelphia to-night, if you choose?” - -“What’s the matter with waiting until to-morrow, eh?” - -“As you say.” - -“There’s your friend.” - -Hare turned and looked toward the door. He gave a little start. Mike -Quick had entered the place. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - - DETH KILLED BY ENOCH. - - -“Barry,” said Ajeeb, after Enoch Cook was carried from the parlor, -“do you believe that fellow?” - -“Why not?” - -“I think he is a lying rascal.” - -“It seems to me,” remarked Billy, “that you are suspicious of every -one with whom you come in contact.” - -“I’ve never been suspicious of you,” said Ajeeb snappishly. - -“Then I am a bright and shining exception to your general rule.” - -“It does not seem probable Kidd and Cook would allow themselves to be -robbed.” - -“Enoch told you that the others had the drop on him and his pal.” - -“Even so, they would not give up such a precious treasure without a -struggle.” - -“They wouldn’t fight against such terrible odds,” said Barry. - -“I would.” - -“Those rascals are not so brave as you.” - -“At any rate, Cook has put his head in the lion’s jaw.” - -“What do you propose to do with him?” asked Billy. - -“That is a strange question.” - -“Why strange?” - -“Have you not heard me affirm, over and over again, that I would -punish with death those who, with sacrilegious hand, handled the Eye -of Jobu?” asked the heathen priest. - -“Then you mean to have Cook killed?” - -“Most certainly.” - -Barry appeared disgusted. - -“Ajeeb,” he said, “don’t you think you are going too far?” - -The Abyssinian laughed, and his cruel eyes grew brighter. - -“I but intend to do my duty, as I understand it,” he replied. - -“You are not required by any law, human or divine, to kill this man.” - -“I will not argue the matter.” - -“Then you will rue the act, if you put this man to death.” - -“Hundreds have been killed because I willed it.” - -“Yes: but that was in your own country,” remarked Barry. - -“The victims had friends.” - -“And they were probably afraid to make an effort to revenge -themselves upon you.” - -“I shall never die by violence.” - -“No man can tell what is to be the method of his death.” - -“I who have the power to read the future, can, my friend.” - -“You can’t make me believe that you, or any one living, can penetrate -the mystery of that which is to come.” - -“Why should I not kill both Cook and Stolburst?” - -“Go ahead; just count me out from this time forth.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“I intend to look out for my own safety, that’s all.” - -“I do not understand.” - -“I mean that I intend to cut loose from you,” said Barry. - -Ajeeb’s brow darkened. His steely eyes glittered dangerously as he -glanced at his English friend. He felt that he could but ill afford -to lose Billy’s help. The latter was more or less acquainted among -the thieving fraternity of New York, and might be able to help him -recover the Eye of Jobu. - -It was particularly galling to Ajeeb to have Barry speak of deserting -him. The heathen priest had been so long accustomed to command that -he expected deference to his wishes from all. - -“My friend,” said the Abyssinian, “have I not always treated you -right?” - -“Yes; but I’ll take my oath you won’t make me a murderer!” - -“I have not asked you to kill any one,” remarked Ajeeb. - -“It amounts to the same thing. I duped Stolburst so that his capture -became easy.” - -“Well?” - -“That makes me an accomplice, in the eyes of the law, to anything -that may befall the man while he is in your power.” - -“No outsider knows you helped to kidnap him,” said Ajeeb. - -“Neither does any outsider know you had one of the poor devil’s ears -cut off; but it will come to light some day.” - -“Not unless I am betrayed.” - -“You know very well that I will not betray you.” - -“One sometimes does not know who to trust,” said the Abyssinian. - -“Do you mean to imply that I might, under any circumstances, become -an informer?” - -Barry’s features had become pale from anger. - -“No,” smiled Ajeeb. “I would trust you just as I trust Ashah; and he, -you know, is a model of fidelity.” - -“Be sensible, Ajeeb; you can gain nothing by sacrificing these men.” - -“The great Jobu has been desecrated. I would be his unworthy priest -were I not to mete out dire punishment to the offenders.” - -“Do you speak from your heart?” - -“I do.” - -“Well, I never did think you were such a terrible fanatic!” - -“I would willingly sacrifice my life if by doing so the green diamond -would be returned to the head of Jobu.” - -It appeared to Barry that the Abyssinian meant what he said. - -“I’ll help you, but only under certain conditions,” said Barry. - -“I’ll pay you anything you may demand,” returned Ajeeb. - -“It is not the financial end of the affair I wish to discuss.” - -“No?” - -“You must promise not to have either of your prisoners killed.” - -“You have suddenly become very tender-hearted, I see.” - -“I’m not going to run chances of swinging on a gallows.” - -“Suppose I refuse to make the promise you require?” - -“In that case,” replied Barry, “I cannot work further with you.” - -Ajeeb bit his lip nervously. - -“Well,” he said, after a long pause, “I cannot afford to lose you.” - -“Then you’ll agree that no further harm is to be done these men?” - -“I’ll agree to that.” - -Just the same, Ajeeb determined that death should be meted out to -Cook and Stolburst. For the present, he would allow them to live. As -soon as he had no further use for Barry, the blow would fall. - -It was now evident to the Abyssinian that Stolburst knew nothing as -to the whereabouts of the diamond. Still, he did not regret having -punished Stolburst as he did. - -“Remember,” said Barry, “that, if I discover you break your word, I -shall leave you to find this diamond without my aid.” - -“I never yet was accused of not living up to a bargain.” - -A shriek, loud and long drawn out, echoed and reechoed throughout the -house. Both men started. - -“What can this mean?” cried Barry. - -“Come.” - -Ajeeb led the way to the cellar. - -There, on the floor of the red-curtained apartment, lay Deth, with -his own poniard driven into his breast. - -In one corner stood Stolburst, and he trembled with fear. - -Enoch Cook had disappeared. Barry and Ajeeb had passed him in the -darkness as they came down the cellar stairs. Cook had flattened -himself out as much as possible against the wall. When they passed, -Enoch ran lightly up-stairs and passed out of doors. - -His attack on Deth had been so sudden, and his execution so swift, -that for a moment Stolburst was paralyzed. Before he regained -complete possession of his faculties, Ajeeb and Barry appeared. Then -flight was out of question. - -Ajeeb’s face was black with passion when he comprehended what had -occurred. He raised Deth’s head. - -A sound similar to the howl of a dog escaped the heathen priest. The -man was dead. - -Ajeeb allowed Deth’s head to slip from his grasp. Billy saw that his -friend’s face was distorted with anger. - -Ajeeb sprang at Stolburst, and, clutching him by the throat, dragged -him in to the middle of the apartment. - -“Accursed dog!” exclaimed the Abyssinian; “is this your work?” - -Stolburst’s throat was gripped so hard he was unable to answer. - -“Ajeeb!” cried Barry, catching hold of the other’s arm; “you already -forget the promise you made me!” - -“I forget nothing.” - -“Can’t you see that you are strangling the poor devil?” - -Billy caught hold of Ajeeb’s arm, and forced him to release his hold. - -Stolburst sank to the floor, gasping for breath. It was several -minutes before he found himself able to articulate. Ajeeb stood over -him, like an avenging angel. - -“Mercy!” - -That was the first word that fell from the prisoner’s lips. - -“You have nothing to fear,” said Barry. - -Stolburst looked gratefully toward the speaker, and then he arose to -his feet. - -“Where is Cook?” thundered Ajeeb. - -“I know not.” - -“Was it you who stabbed my faithful Deth?” - -“No; I would not harm him.” - -“You attacked him before.” - -“True; but I did not seek to do him injury,” replied Stolburst. - -“How did Cook manage to get hold of Deth’s poniard?” - -“He suddenly snatched it, and drove it into the man’s breast. I -closed my eyes when Deth fell, and when I opened them Cook was gone.” - -Ajeeb uttered a fearful malediction, and ran up-stairs. He found the -hall door open. It was plain that Enoch had escaped. - -Ashah was absent. Had he been in the house, Cook might not have -escaped so easily. - -Ajeeb returned to the cellar. His anger, if anything, had increased. - -“Did not Cook tell you he intended to attack Deth?” asked Ajeeb. - -“He uttered not a word of his plan to me,” replied Stolburst. - -“Why did you not follow him?” - -Stolburst did not reply. - -“Come away from here,” remarked Barry. - -“What for?” - -“We can talk more at our leisure up-stairs.” - -There was a piece of rope lying on the floor. - -Ajeeb picked it up and bound his prisoner’s wrists together. Then he -followed his friend from the cellar, leaving Stolburst alone with the -dead. - -“Ajeeb,” said Billy, “your luck has begun to turn.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“The next man you will have to deal with is Burt Cromwell.” - -“Pursuit of me,” said the Abyssinian savagely, “will mean death for -him!” - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - THE BIRD FLOWN. - - -When Burt visited his office the morning after the occurrence at -Ajeeb’s, he found Enoch Cook awaiting his coming. Burt had spent -nearly the whole of the night previous in looking for Mike Quick -without succeeding in finding him. - -“Well,” he said, “you look rather excited, Enoch.” - -“I ought to be excited.” - -“Why?” - -“I may say that I came near croaking,” said Cook. - -“How?” - -“Mister Ajeeb would have cooked my little goose if I did not leave -his neighborhood when I did,” replied Enoch. - -“You talk in riddles.” - -“I found Ajeeb.” - -“And tracked him to his lair?” - -“Yes.” - -“Did you see Stolburst?” - -“Yes.” - -“Then he still lives?” - -“Yes; but Ajeeb has deprived him of his right ear.” - -“The monster!” - -It was now the detective that was excited. - -“I guess Ajeeb would have had me killed offhand.” - -“Then you were also in his power?” asked Burt. - -“Yes; I met him at Union Square, and followed him to his house. Ashah -shadowed me, but I didn’t know it at the time. To make a long story -short, the giant knocked me out, and carried me a prisoner into the -house.” - -“How did you manage to escape?” asked the detective. - -“I stabbed the Abyssinian who stood guard over me and Stolburst with -his own knife. I guess I killed him; but that won’t count as murder, -will it?” - -“No. But why did not Stolburst come away with you?” - -“That’s something I cannot understand,” replied Enoch. “I called -to him to follow. I guess Ajeeb and his friend intercepted poor -Stolburst’s flight.” - -“Who is Ajeeb’s friend?” - -“An English crook.” - -“His name?” - -“Stolburst told me he learned the fellow’s name was Billy Barry.” - -“I know him,” said Burt; “and I can’t understand how he came to know -this heathen priest.” - -“He is the chap that engineered the job that led to Stolburst’s -capture.” - -“How was that job worked?” - -Enoch related the story as he heard it from Stolburst. The latter -still believed that the beautiful Zulima was a party to the plot. As -he had once almost loved the girl, the poor captive now loathed her. - -“How many people are there in this house,” asked Burt, “besides Ajeeb -and Barry?” - -“I saw no one, now that Deth is dead, except Ashah.” - -“I guess we can manage him.” - -“You will surely not enter that den alone?” remarked Cook. - -“Why not?” - -“The odds against you will be too great, and you may lose your life.” - -“Where is this house?” - -Enoch told him. - -“That arch-devil Ajeeb,” said Burt, “has chosen an aristocratic -neighborhood for his residence.” - -“The high priest has an unlimited supply of money.” - -“How do you know that?” - -“I had it from Stolburst.” - -“That gentleman is apt to exaggerate things in which the Abyssinians -are concerned.” - -“I heard it said in Gondar that the priest Ajeeb had control of the -moneys of the temple, which amounted to millions.” - -“In that case,” said Burt, “Billy Barry must be living in clover.” - -“Have you seen Quick?” - -“No; have you?” - -“I had no chance.” - -“You are quite sure you did not send him word that I had discovered -his crime?” - -“I swear I did not!” - -“I begin to think the rascal has skipped the town.” - -“Is his place closed?” - -“No.” - -“Then it is safe to bet that Mike is in town,” said Enoch. - -“How do you stand with his bartender?” asked Burt. - -“Up in G.” - -“Then you should be able to locate the rascal.” - -Cook’s countenance fell. - -“Don’t ask me to do that,” he pleaded. - -“Why not?” - -“Quick has been a good friend of mine, and I can’t give him the -‘razzle-dazzle.’” - -“Oh! that’s it?” - -“You wouldn’t go back on a man that had treated you well?” - -“I suppose not.” - -“Well, that’s my case,” said Enoch. “I promised you I would not tell -Mike you were looking for him, and I will live up to that promise, -but do not ask me to do more.” - -Burt looked at his companion in some surprise. He had believed that -Enoch had no feeling for any one but himself. - -“Well,” he said, “I guess I can locate this fellow without your aid.” - -Cook hoped Quick might escape arrest. - -“I’m sorry Mike has got himself in such a bad box,” he said. - -“He may thank you for it. Quick would never have visited the ‘fence’ -only you put him onto Monte Murphy.” - -Enoch became pale. - -“I certainly did not believe,” he said, “that Mike would murder the -man.” - -“Perhaps he, instead of Bull Blair, secured the great green diamond.” - -“No; Tony Riley said Blair had gathered that in.” - -“My opinion of Riley is that the fellow is an unmitigated liar.” - -“I think he told the truth that time.” - -“Do you know where Blair hangs out?” - -“I might be able to find out.” - -“I wish you would.” - -“I’ll go to work to-day.” - -Both men then left the office. - -Burt went to the house occupied by Ajeeb, accompanied by two -policemen in citizen dress. In answer to Burt’s ring, the door was -opened by a middle-aged colored woman. - -“Can I see the master?” - -Burt and one of the policemen pushed past the negress, while the -other officer remained on guard outside. - -“Who do you mean?” - -“He is known to me as Ajeeb.” - -“The gentleman does not live here any more,” said the woman. - -“Where is he?” - -“Mister, I’d like to know that myself.” - -“When did he leave?” - -“When I came here this morning he was gone; that’s all I know.” - -“Don’t you live here?” - -“No. I come every morning and do the cleaning up.” - -“You know that a man has been confined as a prisoner in the cellar of -this house for many days.” - -“Laws, you don’t say so?” - -Burt saw the colored woman’s surprise was genuine. - -“Who are there in the house beside yourself?” he asked. - -“No one that I know of.” - -“Which is the way to the cellar?” - -It was pointed out. Burt found the red-curtained apartment in which -Stolburst had been kept prisoner. The latter was not there. On the -floor lay the body of Deth. - -Burt searched the cellar thoroughly. Stolburst had been removed--that -was plain. - -Burt bitterly cursed his luck. He was as far from finding Stolburst -as when he began to search for him. Next he and the police officer -went through the house. - -On the mantel of a room that the negress said had been occupied -by the heathen priest, Burt found a small miniature, painted on -porcelain. The colored woman declared it to be a likeness of Ajeeb. -Burt studied the features carefully, and then placed the painting in -his pocket. He again questioned the negress. - -“How long have these people been here?” he asked. - -“About three months.” - -“Does Ajeeb own the furniture?” - -“Not all; he owns some of it.” - -“How do you know all this?” - -“I worked for the people who owns this house, and who lived here -before he came.” - -“Did he have many visitors?” - -“Not to my knowledge.” - -“When did you leave the house, as a rule?” asked Burt. - -“Along in the afternoon.” - -“And you never heard any cries for help proceed from the cellar?” - -“I’d have told the police if I did,” replied the woman. “You are not -a friend of Mister Ajeeb, I guess?” - -“Hardly.” - -“What for does he want to keep any one a prisoner?” - -“You are going to take a hand at questioning me, I see.” - -“I’m mighty curious.” - -“Well, aunty, your curiosity is not destined to be satisfied this -time.” - -“Won’t tell me, eh?” - -“No.” - -There came a sharp pull at the bell. The negress opened the door and -ushered Zulima into the house. The princess started when her glance -rested upon Burt. - -Her first instinct was to withdraw, but she conquered it. The girl -walked majestically into the front parlor. Burt followed. - -“I suppose,” he said, “you came here on an errand similar to my own?” - -Zulima looked at the detective scornfully. - -“What do you mean?” - -“That you came here to see that delightful uncle of yours.” - -“It is nothing to you why I came here,” remarked the girl saucily. - -Burt smiled. - -“You look more beautiful than ever,” he said, “when you are angry.” - -“Why should you insult me?” - -“I never, knowingly, insulted a woman in all my life.” - -“Your sneering compliment was an insult,” declared Zulima. - -“Perhaps, then, I shall lower your dignity much further.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“I may put you under arrest, and have you locked up in prison.” - -Zulima’s cheeks blanched and her lips trembled. - -“I have broken no law.” - -“You helped Ajeeb entrap Stolburst, who had so long been your friend.” - -“That is not so.” - -“You knew he was in your uncle’s power?” said Burt. - -“Yes.” - -“You made no effort to effect his release by reporting the matter to -the police.” - -“I am not an informer.” - -“Do you know that Ajeeb cut off one of his prisoner’s ears?” - -“My uncle never informs me of his acts,” she replied. - -“Your heart must be just as bad at the core as his.” - -“Thanks. Your opinion of me is not very exalted.” - -“Was not Stolburst your friend?” - -“Yes.” - -“And you were willing he should be sacrificed without moving a hand -to save him?” asked the detective. - -“The man is a thief, and worse than that--a liar.” - -Now Zulima’s face became flushed with excitement. - -“You must have held his friendship pretty cheap when you were willing -to throw it aside at the behest of your uncle.” - -“I will tell you the object of my present visit,” said the girl. - -“I wish you would.” - -“I came here to ask my uncle to set the man at liberty.” - -Burt smiled at this. He believed she uttered an untruth. - -“You know very well,” he said, “that Ajeeb would not grant that -request.” - -“Perhaps, sir,” returned Zulima icily, “you know my uncle better than -I.” - -“I don’t know him at all, but I hope to soon make his acquaintance.” - -“Beware; he is one of the anointed of Jobu.” - -“With all respect for you, allow me to say that if he were a priest -a hundred times over he shall be made to suffer at the hands of the -law,” said Burt. - -“Rash man, you will rush to your own destruction.” - -Again Burt smiled. - -“My lady,” he remarked, “I never allow myself to be frightened at -threats.” - -“Of what is Ajeeb accused?” - -“I have already spoken of the torture to which Stolburst was -subjected.” - -“The man has not been murdered,” she remarked calmly. - -“He is disfigured for life.” - -“To prove your case you will be obliged to produce Mr. Stolburst.” - -“I’ll find him.” - -“No. Ajeeb intends to kill him and bury his remains.” - -The beauty’s features wore a smile as she made the extraordinary -statement. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - HARE’S DISGUISE PENETRATED. - - -Hare would have given anything if Burt was present when Mike Quick -entered Shaw’s. He was wise enough to recognize the fact that he -would have no chance to take the murderer unaided from the den. There -were at least twenty desperadoes in the place and every man of them -would, if called upon, help Quick resist the detective. - -“Don’t you see your friend?” asked Bull Blair, nodding toward Mike. - -“Who do you mean?” - -“The bloke who is after coming in.” - -“I don’t know him.” - -Blair looked at his companion in undisguised amazement. - -“Here you’ve been telling me you were acquainted with Mike Quick.” - -“So I am.” - -“There he is, standing at the bar.” - -“Is that man’s name Mike Quick?” asked Frank innocently. - -“Of course it is.” - -“That’s strange,” remarked the detective nonchalantly; “the Mike -Quick I know is a young fellow like myself. Perhaps it is that chap’s -son.” - -“He ain’t got a son.” - -“I never saw that man before.” - -“Well,” said Bull, “he’s the only Mike Quick in this town that I ever -heard of.” - -“Perhaps the fellow I knew was only giving me a ‘barney’ as to his -name.” - -“I think you are giving me a ‘barney,’” remarked Blair. - -Hare appeared offended. - -“If you doubt my word,” he said, rising from his chair, “I guess we -will cut our acquaintanceship right here where it began.” - -“Sit down.” - -Frank grumbled and did so. - -“Do I look like a fraud?” he asked. - -“No.” - -“Well, I ain’t one.” - -“Don’t get your Irish up for such a little thing,” said Blair. - -“I treat every one square,” remarked Frank, “and look for the same -treatment in return.” - -Bull laughed. - -“You’re full of fight,” he said, “and I rather like that.” - -“Is this Quick you know on the cross?” asked Hare. - -“Yes, and I know no other of the name in the same line of biz; that’s -the reason I took you up.” - -“Then the fellow I met traveled under his name.” - -“That’s just about the size of it. The chap was some one who makes -Quick’s his headquarters.” - -Hare chuckled softly to himself. He had cleverly got out of what -threatened to be a serious dilemma. Bull called for more drinks. -After finishing his own, he excused himself for a few minutes. - -Blair went up to the bar, where Quick still remained. - -“Mike,” he said, “I want to see you alone for a few minutes.” - -“What is it, Bull?” - -“Something that will interest you.” - -The two men adjourned to a small room that was partitioned off one -corner of the dive. There they seated themselves. - -“First of all,” said Bull, “I want to ask you a question.” - -“Drive ahead.” - -“Do you consider me a friend of yours?” - -“Why, certainly.” - -“I was never known to blab, was I?” - -“I’ve always heard you spoken of as a square man, and I so consider -you myself. What are you trying to get at?” - -“Mike,” said Bull, and he looked the other straight in the eyes, “was -Monte Murphy well the last time you saw him?” - -Quick gave a great start. His face became pale and he sank his nails -deep in his palms. - -“What do you mean?” he asked, in a hoarse voice. - -“You know.” - -Mike glared fiercely across the table at his companion. This man knew -of the crime he had committed at the fence? Was Monte dead? - -If so, this man could perhaps send him to the gallows. Why not kill -Blair? - -That thought came to him, but he dismissed it. Had they been alone -in some unfrequented spot he would have attempted the other’s life. -Perhaps more than Bull knew of it? - -That thought was anguishing. Blair noted the changing emotions of the -man as they appeared on his features. - -“I rather gave you a lift in that job,” said Bull. - -“Eh?” - -Quick spoke in the manner of one in a dream. - -“I found Murphy alive, and----” - -“You finished him!” exclaimed the murderer, with a glad cry. - -“He must be dead now.” - -Quick’s joy showed itself upon his face. He reached his hand across -the table. - -“Shake!” - -Bull grasped the extended hand. - -“Mike,” said Blair, “your secret is safe with me.” - -“It is you who murdered him.” - -“I?” - -“Did you not finish him up?” - -“I never said so.” - -Quick looked daggers at his companion. - -“What did you do?” - -“I did not harm the man.” - -“Explain.” - -“I merely placed him in the cellar, where any cry he might make for -help would not be heard,” replied Bull. - -“Then you don’t know whether the old wretch is dead?” - -“His life was fast passing away when I left him; he must be dead now.” - -“Of course it was Murphy who told you I stabbed him?” - -“Yes.” - -Quick smiled fiercely. - -“I didn’t stab him--but I was present when the deed was done.” - -Blair did not believe this statement. - -“It is all the same who stabbed the old man,” he said. “I would never -give you away.” - -“Did you visit the ‘fence’ alone?” - -“Yes.” - -Bull did not think it advisable to let his companion know that Tony -Riley was with him. - -“What brought you there?” - -“I wanted to sell Murphy a watch.” - -“How did you get in?” - -“I found the door open, and, hearing Monte’s moans, I went to his -room.” - -“I was a fool to have run away,” thought the murderer. - -Then he said aloud: “I’m much obliged to you, Bull, for what you did -in placing the old fellow in the cellar.” - -“Don’t mention it.” - -“Now, as it happens, the fellow who did the cutting is an old friend -of yours.” - -“Who is it?” - -“Bull, you can’t expect me to tell you his name.” - -“Why not?” - -“I swore never to breathe it to any one,” replied Quick. - -Blair smiled. He knew quite well that there had been no one concerned -in the crime beside the man who now sat opposite to him. - -“Well,” remarked Bull nonchalantly, “of course I can’t expect you to -go back on your oath.” - -“I know it would be safe to tell you the chap’s name, but you see how -I am placed.” - -“The police will never be able to get onto you, Mike.” - -Quick laughed nervously. - -“I wish I could be sure of that,” he said. “Do you want to do me a -favor?” - -“Of course--what is it?” - -“I’d like to have you go up to the fence and see if Monte is still -alive.” - -“You are quite moderate in your demands,” remarked Bull cynically. - -“I’m not asking much.” - -“Then what’s the matter with you going up there yourself?” - -Quick shook his head. - -“No,” he said; “strange as it may appear, I have a superstitious -dread of going near that house,” he replied. - -“I don’t care about going there myself.” - -“Then you won’t go?” - -“I’d like to oblige you.” - -“Why don’t you refuse pointblank, and have done with it?” - -“I do refuse.” - -“Then you are not such a big friend of mine as I thought.” - -“You have gall to ask another to do what you fear to do yourself.” - -“I expect to pay you for the trouble,” replied Mike. - -“Nothing you could offer would induce me to go to that house.” - -“You are as big a coward in this particular matter as myself.” - -“Say no more about it.” - -“Remember,” said Quick, “you have given me your word never to speak -of the murder, if murder it is.” - -“You have my promise.” - -“Good. Let us go out and have a drink.” - -They went out to the bar. After drinking with Mike, Bull rejoined -Hare. At about the same moment Quick left the dive. - -Frank’s first impulse was to follow the murderer. By doing so he -would lose the grip he had obtained on Blair. He had been assigned to -capture the latter, and Frank decided to live up to his instructions. - -It was not his purpose to make an early arrest, however. He believed -that if he played his cards sharp he stood a good chance of locating -the great diamond of which Burt was in search. There was an old head -on Frank Hare’s young shoulders. - -“I gave that chap a fine scare,” said Bull, with a coarse laugh. - -“Who?” - -“Who? Why, that fellow Mike Quick,” was the reply. - -“How did you do it?” - -“Now, my boy, you are asking entirely too much.” - -“I thought you intended to tell me all about it.” - -“But, you see, I don’t.” - -“Then my curiosity must remain unsatisfied,” remarked Frank. - -“Just about.” - -“You were saying you would introduce me to a chap who would put me in -the way of making some ducats.” - -“Curse that Tony Riley!” exclaimed Bull; “he should have been here an -hour ago.” - -Mr. Blair would have been perturbed if he had known his friend -languished in a station-house cell. - -“Is Tony Riley your friend’s name?” - -“Yes. Do you know him?” - -“No, but I’d like to.” - -“Why would you?” - -“Because he must be away up, or you would not travel with him.” - -Again the ruffian’s vanity was tickled. - -“How much money have you got?” inquired Bull. - -“Enough to keep me for a few days,” replied Hare. - -“Come and bunk with me.” - -Hare was delighted. - -“You are very kind.” - -“Not to everybody.” - -“You’ve treated me to-night as if I was a dear friend.” - -“That’s because I’ve taken quite a shine to you.” - -“Then I’m in luck.” - -“You’d be in better luck if you had got acquainted with me about -twenty-four hours earlier.” - -“Do you intend to take your diamonds to Philadelphia for sale?” - -Blair’s brow grew dark, and he glanced suspiciously at his companion. - -“Who said anything about having diamonds for sale?” - -“You did.” - -“I’ll take my oath I didn’t.” - -“You forget.” - -“I ain’t one of that kind.” - -“Let it go at that.” - -“Suppose I have got some diamonds?” said Blair. - -“As I told you before, I can introduce you to a man who will pay you -more than you can get here in New York.” - -“We’ll talk about that in the morning, young fellow.” - -“As you choose.” - -“You can bet it is as I choose. Let us have another drink.” - -“Haven’t we had enough?” - -“One more, and then we will go home. You’ll bunk with me?” - -“I’m glad to get the chance.” - -“I’ll stake you in grub and liquor until you make a strike.” - -“You won’t find me ungrateful,” returned Hare. - -“I hope not.” - -They drank their liquor and left the dive together. Bull conducted -his new-found friend to a small lodginghouse, a few blocks distant -from Shaw’s. - -Frank found the rascal’s room neatly furnished, and it contained two -cots. He was glad of this latter, as he would not be obliged to rest -at the side of Blair. - -Bull closed and locked the door. Then he seemed to instantly sober -up, although he must have drunk more than a quart of whisky. -Springing upon the detective, he bore him to the floor. - -“Frank Hare, I know you!” - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - - ZULIMA BREAKS DOWN. - - -Burt Cromwell looked upon the beautiful Abyssinian in disgust when -she spoke of her uncle intending to murder Henry Stolburst. - -“I have heard,” he said, “that savages were proverbially grateful.” - -“I am not a savage.” - -“You are worse.” - -“Save your taunts; they have no effect upon me.” - -“Has your uncle any other residence than this?” asked Burt Cromwell. - -“Yes.” - -“Where?” - -“Near Gondar, Abyssinia.” - -“You are quite humorous,” remarked the detective. “Ajeeb has a worthy -relative in you.” - -“I suppose by this time uncle has at least removed his prisoner’s -other ear.” - -Burt Cromwell received this with loathing. How could so beautiful a -being have so black a heart? - -Zulima did not mean what she said just then. She really felt sorry -for Stolburst’s hapless condition. More than once she had implored -her uncle to set him free. She might as well have appealed to a -stone. Ajeeb knew no pity. - -Zulima now took a keen delight in appearing as a monster in feeling -to the detective. - -“I’ve no doubt,” said the latter, “but you would not mind joining in -the torture of your former friend?” - -“If Ajeeb so commanded. I know no law but his.” - -“Do you mean to say you are entirely subservient to his commands?” - -“Entirely so.” - -“Did he give you permission to leave your own country?” - -“No; neither did he tell me I should not do so.” - -“Suppose he had done the latter?” - -“I should have remained in Abyssinia,” replied Zulima, giving -utterance to a lie. - -“Do you really wish to see Henry Stolburst die?” asked the detective. - -The beauty broke down. Flinging herself upon a sofa, face downward, -she gave way to a fit of weeping. - -Burt remained silent until the girl’s tears were expended. Then she -arose from the sofa. - -“Monsieur,” she said, “I hope they will not kill their prisoner.” - -“You talked in quite a different strain not long ago.” - -“That was to tantalize you.” - -“Why should you tantalize me?” - -“I don’t know. I believe I have not been myself since I first saw my -terrible uncle in New York,” she replied. - -“Do you really think Ajeeb has killed his prisoner?” - -“I know nothing about it any more than you do.” - -“When did you see your uncle last?” asked Burt. - -“Yesterday.” - -“Did you speak of Henry Stolburst?” - -“Yes; uncle said he was satisfied Henry Stolburst could not return -the Eye of Jobu.” - -“Did he say anything further?” - -“Yes; he said he was tired of keeping the man a prisoner.” - -“He did not hint at murder?” - -“No.” - -“You don’t think he would be likely to set Henry Stolburst free?” - -“No; he would not do that.” - -“Then the only way he could rid himself of the man would be by -murdering him.” - -“Ajeeb does not consider murder a crime,” remarked Zulima. - -“He must know something of the laws of this country.” - -“My uncle knows of the usages of most nations. He has traveled -extensively in Europe.” - -“Do you know a man named Barry?” asked Burt. - -“I’ve heard the name.” - -“Have you ever seen its owner?” - -“No; I only know that uncle has a friend of that name.” - -“Do you know whether this man was concerned in the kidnaping of Henry -Stolburst?” - -“My uncle never told me anything relating to that affair.” - -“Henry Stolburst believed you aided in the scheme,” said Burt. - -“Then he does me an injustice.” - -“Didn’t you know that Ajeeb intended to make him a prisoner?” - -“No; I did hear my uncle say Henry Stolburst would regret having -removed the eye of our god, or words to that effect.” - -“Would you have warned Henry Stolburst if you knew he was in danger?” - -“Frankly, I would not.” - -“Then you did not care whether he suffered?” - -“At that time--no.” - -“Your feelings have since undergone a change, eh?” - -“Yes. Now I do not think the gentleman’s offense is so great as Ajeeb -makes it out.” - -“Have you any idea where your uncle has taken refuge?” - -“Not the slightest. He is a man of infinite resources.” - -“So he seems to be.” - -“In Gondar, no one knows where he resides,” said Zulima. - -“Why is that?” - -“I know not.” - -“He fears assassination, perhaps?” - -The girl smiled. - -“None there would dare attempt injury to the high priest, even by -order of the king.” - -“You don’t mean to say that Ajeeb is a bigger man than King John?” - -“Of course not; but the king would not dare injure him.” - -“Would you tell me where Ajeeb is if you knew?” - -“I should have to consider the matter for a long time before I could -properly answer that question.” - -“Do you still reside in the St. Joseph flats?” - -“Yes. Why do you ask?” - -“I may want to see you again, that’s all,” said Burt. - -“To put me in prison, perhaps?” - -“If it comes out that you had anything to do with the kidnaping you -will have to suffer with the other guilty parties.” - -“You talk as if you were confident of bringing Ajeeb to justice.” - -“Yes; I speak from conviction.” - -“I hardly think you will succeed in your mission; and now, with your -permission, I will return home.” - -“As you choose.” - -Zulima immediately left the house. - -Burt and the two policemen returned to the station-house. Burt -reported the finding of Deth’s corpse, and a coroner was notified. - -Burt did not allow it to appear that he knew under what circumstances -the Abyssinian met his death. Leaving the police station, the -detective sauntered down Sixth Avenue to Tenth Street. On the corner -he saw Billy Barry smoking a cigar and having his boots polished. - -When the latter operation was completed, Barry started down Sixth -Avenue. Burt followed, and saw his man enter a liquor saloon. - -Billy had but finished a cocktail when the detective touched him -on the shoulder. The drinker turned quickly around. He gave a -perceptible start upon finding himself confronted by Burt. - -“Well, sir.” - -The Englishman fitted a pair of glasses on his nose as he spoke. - -“I’d like to have a few words with you in private.” - -“I don’t know you, my man.” - -“You will very soon discover who I am,” said Burt. - -Barry led the way into one of many small, curtained compartments, -fitted up around the sides of a large rear room. Both men sat down. -Billy did know who his companion was, and he felt rather uneasy. - -“I did not know you were on this side of the ocean,” remarked the -detective, “until this morning.” - -“Who do you take me to be?” - -“Billy Barry, a notorious London crook,” replied Burt. - -The other flushed up to the roots of his hair. - -“You are exceedingly complimentary?” he remarked. - -“I about hit the nail on the head, just the same?” - -“Who are you?” - -“Don’t you know?” - -“I shouldn’t have asked you if I did,” replied Barry. - -“My name is Burt Cromwell, and I am a detective.” - -“I don’t see what business you can possibly have with me.” - -“First of all, I want to make some inquiries about a dear friend of -yours.” - -“A friend of mine?” - -“Yes; one you must have been bleeding rather liberally.” - -“I certainly do not know what you are trying to get at.” - -“I refer to the Abyssinian priest who is known as Ajeeb.” - -Again the English crook started. How had the detective learned of the -connection? - -That puzzled the rascal. First he thought that perhaps Burt Cromwell -had captured Ajeeb and the latter had informed against him. Billy -dismissed that thought almost at its birth. Ajeeb would never squeal, -he told himself. - -“I don’t know the man you refer to,” replied Barry. - -“I have proof that you do know him,” said Burt Cromwell. - -“Proof, eh?” - -“Yes; that of Enoch Cook.” - -A light broke upon Billy. Stolburst had told his fellow prisoner -about him. - -“I don’t see that it is any of your business who my acquaintances -are.” - -“In this case I choose to make it my business,” said Burt. - -“You are very impudent.” - -The detective laughed. - -“Don’t try to play the role of a highly indignant gentleman--it won’t -fit you.” - -“What about this Ajeeb?” - -“Oh! you choose to admit that you know him, eh?” - -“Is it a crime to know him?” - -“No; but those who associate with him are always mixed up in his -crimes.” - -“I did not cross the ocean to do any funny business.” - -“Come over for pleasure, I suppose.” - -“That’s just the size of it.” - -“I know you are in this man’s employ,” said Burt. - -Barry laughed. His mirth was forced, however. - -“My dear fellow,” he said, “this Ajeeb has millions of money.” - -“Then you have had a very soft snap,” remarked Burt. - -“Having so much money, why should he engage in crooked work?” - -“His mission to this country is one of murder, as you know.” - -“I do not know of the Abyssinian having killed anybody.” - -“How about Henry Stolburst?” - -Barry expected to be asked that question, and he was prepared. - -“Who is he?” - -“The unfortunate man who is in this demon’s power, and who has been -tortured by him,” replied the detective hotly. - -“I know no such man,” returned Billy promptly. - -“You know it will not avail you to lie to me.” - -“I’m giving you a straight story.” - -“It was you who decoyed the man into Ajeeb’s power.” - -This was only a chance shot, but it went straight to the mark. Barry -became very pale, and he fidgeted nervously in his chair. - -“Burt,” he said, with a forced smile, “you are talking through your -hat.” - -Burt smiled. He saw he had the villain cornered. - -“I will prove my assertion,” he said, “at the proper time.” - -“I defy you to prove anything crooked against me.” - -“We’ll see about that.” - -“Are you through with me?” - -Barry made a motion as if to rise. - -“Oh, no; keep your seat.” - -“Well?” - -“Of course you know where your friend has removed?” - -“Has he moved?” - -“You know that very well.” - -“I saw him last night, and he said nothing about changing his -residence.” - -“You were at his house when his slave, Deth, was killed?” - -“I know nothing of any one being killed,” said Barry. - -“How grossly misinformed I am,” sneered the detective. - -“You certainly are.” - -“Come.” - -“Where?” - -“You are my prisoner.” - -“Am I?” - -Barry reached for his revolver as he spoke. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - BULL BLAIR’S ESCAPE. - - -Bull Blair’s attack was so sudden and unexpected that Frank Hare -found himself stretched on the floor before he well knew what had -happened. - -“Curse you, you shall never leave this room alive.” - -Blair produced an ugly-looking knife. - -“You thought you had me nice,” he added; “and so you did at first.” - -The brute fell on one knee. At that moment he found himself covered -by the detective’s revolver. - -“Drop that knife or I will send you to the devil, your master.” - -Bull arose hastily to his feet. - -Hare did likewise. - -“Are you going to drop that knife?” said Frank sternly. - -Blair was cowed. He knew the detective would shoot if he hesitated. -With a muttered oath he flung the weapon upon the bed. - -Frank had had a narrow escape. He wondered why the desperado had not -allowed him to retire before attacking him. That was what Bull had -intended to do; but, acting upon a sudden impulse, he did not wait -for what would have been a more favorable opportunity. - -“Now,” said Hare, when the other discarded his knife, “you are my -prisoner.” - -“What for?” - -“For robbing Monte Murphy and leaving him to die.” - -Bull’s eyes seemed to grow as large as saucers as he looked -wonderingly at the detective. How had the latter gained his knowledge? - -That query puzzled the villain. Blair determined to present a bold -front. That was not easy. Like every other bully, he was at heart a -great coward. - -“I don’t know what you are talking about,” he said. - -“In court I will be more explicit,” remarked Frank. - -Bull was an old offender. He had twice been convicted of burglary. -At best he would get a long term, and that would practically mean -imprisonment for life, as he was past fifty years of age. - -The rascal’s mental torture was something difficult to describe. He -had no hope of mercy if arraigned in court. How he bitterly cursed -himself for having made a premature attack on the detective. - -“Hold out your right hand.” - -Bull did not seem inclined to obey. - -“Quick, or I’ll shoot.” - -The hand was put forward. Hare snapped a steel cuff on it, and soon -after the connecting one enclasped Blair’s other wrist. - -“Now,” said Hare, “I’ve just got you where I want you.” - -“This is all dead wrong.” - -“Why, my dear fellow.” - -“Because I have committed no crime,” replied Blair. - -“I suppose you’ll even deny having assaulted me?” - -“I did that in a fit of passion.” - -“I’m now acting in a fit of passion,” sneered Hare. - -“Frank, I didn’t mean to harm you; I swear I didn’t.” - -“Oh, I don’t suppose you would have done much more than killed me.” - -“If I wanted to murder you I should have waited until you went to -sleep.” - -“Yes, that would have been the better way; but then I would not have -gone to sleep.” - -“I never robbed Monte Murphy.” - -“You did more; you threw him into a cellar to die.” - -Blair gave a sudden start. It was plain to him that Murphy lived, or -had lived long enough to tell what happened him to whoever found him. - -“I never injured the man.” - -“You found him dying from a stab wound. I know all about it.” - -“Did Monte make this charge against me?” asked Bull. - -“Yes.” - -“The man must have taken leave of his senses.” - -“No, but he has taken leave of life,” said Frank. - -“Did he also accuse me of having stabbed him?” - -“No; but you might have saved his life if you had got a doctor, or -sent Tony Riley after one,” replied Hare. - -“But I tell you I have not been across Murphy’s threshold in weeks.” - -“Your pal, Tony Riley, was arrested there to-day.” - -The villain became deadly pale. - -Now he believed that, instead of Murphy, it was his pal who had given -the detective the information the latter possessed. - -“Riley is no pal of mine.” - -Frank smiled. - -“You told me in Shaw’s that he was; I guess at that time you had not -tumbled to whom you were talking.” - -“I haven’t done a job with Tony in a long time.” - -“I’m rather surprised you do not deny knowing the man.” - -“I know him,” said Bull, and he uttered a terrible oath. - -“You don’t feel very pleasant toward him, I see.” - -“Would you like to have a man tell lies about you?” - -“How do you know Tony spoke of you? I didn’t say so.” - -“It would be just like him; that duck ain’t worthy of belief.” - -“In that case he strikingly resembles you,” smiled Hare. - -“I may be bad, but I wouldn’t lie to save myself from the gallows.” - -Bull spoke with affected dignity, which caused the detective to laugh -outright. - -“I haven’t said anything funny,” growled Blair. - -“It struck me that way.” - -Bull glanced at his manacled wrists, and something like a groan -escaped him. Would he ever be free again? - -“Now,” said Hare, after a pause, “where are those diamonds you wish -to dispose of to my Philadelphia friend?” - -“They are not here.” - -“I asked you where they were.” - -“A friend is minding them for me,” replied Blair. - -“Do you think I am such a gawk as to swallow that story?” - -“I can’t help it.” - -“Those diamonds you stole from Monte Murphy.” - -“I stole nothing from him.” - -“Is there among the gems one large one of a greenish tint?” - -“I have no such stone.” - -“Of course the ones you have were not stolen?” - -“I bought them on speculation,” replied the prisoner. - -“Well, Bull,” said Hare, “you are, without any exception, the best -single-handed liar I ever encountered.” - -“I’m telling a straight story.” - -Hare locked the door and put the key in his pocket. Then he began -a search for the burglar’s plunder. Almost all Bull’s earthly -possessions were contained in a cedar box. - -Frank ransacked this without finding that of which he was in search. -He turned everything in the room upside down. It began to appear that -Blair had for once been truthful. - -“You will find no diamonds or jewelry here,” said the latter. - -“In whose keeping is the swag?” asked the detective. - -“I have no diamonds here or anywhere else,” replied Bull. - -“I know that you have at least the one I spoke of.” - -“Frank, I was only joking when I spoke to you of having diamonds for -sale.” - -“Were you also joking a moment ago when you said the jewels were in -the keeping of a friend?” - -“Of course. Do you suppose I’d trust any of my acquaintances with -articles of value?” remarked Bull. - -“Come,” said Hare sternly, “I have put up with quite enough of your -nonsense.” - -“I’m treating you on the square.” - -“Where are those diamonds?” - -Frank’s blue eyes flashed angrily. - -“Again I tell you I have no diamonds,” said Blair, “but if you give -me freedom, I can tell you something that will interest you, or I am -mistaken.” - -“What is it?” - -“Mind you, I only accidentally learned this thing.” - -“Speak out.” - -“I can tell you,” said Bull, with a sneaking smile, “who inflicted -Monte Murphy’s death-wound.” - -The villain’s promise to Quick did not weigh as a feather with -him. Blair would willingly sacrifice Mike, or any one else, for -that matter, to achieve his own ends. Better, he argued, that the -dive-keeper should be hanged than he should end his days within -prison walls. The brute was thoroughly selfish to the last degree. - -“How did you learn who the murderer is?” inquired Frank. - -“Quite accidentally, as I before remarked.” - -“Didn’t Monte Murphy tell you?” - -“No.” - -“How then did you learn?” - -“From the party himself.” - -“Men who commit murder do not go around bragging about it.” - -“The man is a close friend of mine,” said Bull. - -“And you are quite willing to sacrifice him, eh?” - -“He’d do the same on me,” growled the prisoner. - -“Blair, you are even a blacker rascal than I thought.” - -“Every one should look out for himself, that’s the way I look at it.” - -“You certainly take an elevated view of what one friend owes another.” - -“Give me freedom, and I will tell you who killed Monte Murphy.” - -“I refuse.” - -“Don’t you want to know?” cried Bull, in surprise. - -“No.” - -“That’s queer.” - -“Not at all. I already know.” - -Blair’s countenance fell. He had played his last card and lost. - -“It is all up with me,” he said. - -“Give me that greenish stone and I will set you at liberty.” - -“Do you mean it?” - -“Yes.” - -“You will find it in the water-pitcher.” - -Frank darted for the utensil named. He had hardly turned his back, -as he was obliged to do, when he was startled by a crash of wood and -glass. Bull Blair had leaped through the window to the street below. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - BILLY BARRY, OF LONDON. - - -Before Barry could draw his revolver he was downed by a blow from the -detective’s fist. Before the man could rise Burt was upon him. Burt -disarmed the fellow, and then allowed him to get up. - -“My friend,” said the detective, “you see you are not so smart as you -think.” - -A bump arose on Barry’s forehead where he had been struck. The -English crook fairly boiled over with wrath. - -“You shall pay dearly for that blow,” he said. - -Burt laughed. - -“I am quite accustomed to being threatened,” he remarked. - -“I never make idle threats.” - -“Don’t talk like that.” - -“I will if I feel so disposed.” - -“Then you better not feel so disposed, unless you want more of the -same treatment,” said the detective. - -Barry glared at his companion, who had leisurely seated himself. -Billy also dropped into a chair, but he did not know why he did so. -Flight was out of the question. Had it been night it would have been -very different. - -Now Sixth Avenue was crowded with shoppers, and he could not go very -far without being stopped with a short turn. - -“I can’t see,” remarked Billy, “why you should choose to make me -a prisoner. It is possible that this Abyssinian may have some -nefarious scheme afloat, but I am not a party to it.” - -“Why did you draw a revolver on me if you did not fear arrest?” - -“I did not draw one.” - -“It amounts to the same thing. You tried to do so.” - -“I certainly do not want to be arrested. I am told that the chief of -police here has all crooks, who appear in public places, gathered in -and sent to prison.” - -“You admit being a crook?” - -“I was one in England up until about a year ago.” - -“Is it not possible the English authorities are searching for you -now?” - -“There is no charge hanging over me, my friend.” - -“I only have your word for that,” remarked Burt. - -“This time my word goes.” - -“Where did you become acquainted with the Abyssinian?” - -“In London.” - -“How long ago?” - -“About five years.” - -“You are old friends, eh?” - -“I never considered him anything more than an acquaintance.” - -“Now, Barry,” said the detective, “I know you were concerned in -kidnaping Henry Stolburst.” - -“I have never even seen the man,” returned Billy. - -“You know such a person exists?” - -“Yes; I’ve heard Ajeeb say Henry Stolburst stole a great diamond from -a temple near Gondar,” said Barry. - -“Have you ever been in Abyssinia?” inquired Burt. - -“No, and I don’t want to go there.” - -“What have you against the country?” - -“It is not the country, but the people who live there.” - -“What about them?” - -“They are rather too hot for my blood, that’s all,” replied Barry. “A -man’s life is not worth much with them chaps.” - -“Is Henry Stolburst dead?” - -“Do you suppose Ajeeb would tell me if he killed him?” - -“You are very deep in this heathen priest’s confidence.” - -Barry smiled. - -“It is evident you do not know Ajeeb,” he said. - -“Well?” - -“That man makes no confidants; he keeps everything entirely to -himself.” - -“You surely know that he made Henry Stolburst prisoner?” - -“As regards that, I’ve learned more from you than I ever heard from -him.” - -Barry spoke with an air of conviction, but Burt did not believe him. - -“Do you mean to say the Abyssinian never told you he held Henry -Stolburst prisoner?” - -“That’s exactly what I do say.” - -“I can hardly credit you.” - -“Ajeeb did say something a few days ago about making Henry Stolburst -give up the diamond he had stolen.” - -“He did not speak of the means he intended to apply to effect this -end?” - -“Not to me. You seem deeply interested in this explorer.” - -“I am.” - -“Is he your friend?” - -“He is my employer.” - -“Your employer?” said Barry; “I cannot understand that.” - -“He engaged me to find this diamond of which Ajeeb is in search.” - -“Have you succeeded?” - -“I shall succeed.” - -“What disposition does Henry Stolburst intend to make of the stone?” - -“He did intend to give it to Ajeeb,” replied Burt. - -“Has he changed his mind?” - -Burt smiled. - -“My friend,” he said, “we seem to have changed positions.” - -“How?” - -“You have become the inquisitor,” replied Burt. - -“Well,” said Barry, drawing in a long breath, “I do not think Ajeeb -would murder the man.” - -“Only a moment ago you expressed entirely different sentiments.” - -“I don’t know that I did.” - -“You remarked that these Abyssinians placed little or no value on -human life,” remarked the detective. - -“That is truth.” - -“Then, knowing that Ajeeb hates this man, you say it is not likely he -has been murdered.” - -“This is America, and there are laws to be feared. At home Ajeeb’s -acts would not be questioned. In Gondar he is looked upon as a -prophet.” - -“Is Ajeeb a fanatic?” - -“I never knew a more thoroughgoing one. When I first knew him I used -to believe that the devotion in which he spoke of his idols was not -sincere, but I afterward learned he was in dead earnest.” - -“Now, Barry, you must know where Ajeeb has taken up his residence.” - -“I don’t; and I’d advise you to go slow in arresting him.” - -“Why?” - -“You know it is dangerous to play with edged tools.” - -“I never yet saw a man that I feared,” remarked Burt. - -“I am not attempting to advise you; but I do say that I would not -incur this man’s enmity for anything.” - -“Afraid of him, eh?” - -“Yes, I’ll confess that I am afraid of him,” said Barry. - -“Well,” said Burt, “you should not have linked yourself with the man.” - -Burt could not prove that the English crook had had anything to do -with the disappearance of Henry Stolburst, without the evidence of -the latter. He could have arrested the fellow for attempting to -assault him, but Barry would get off with a fine. - -Burt deemed it best to allow the man to go free. He determined, -however, to keep a watchful eye on him. - -“I assure you,” said Barry, “that I have had no hand nor part in any -of Ajeeb’s schemes.” - -“You visit him frequently?” - -“I’ve been in his house but twice,” replied Billy. - -“Would you prevent him from killing this man Henry Stolburst if -opportunity offered?” - -“I would. Never have I shed human blood or countenanced the act.” - -“I guess if you were in a tight corner you would not hesitate to -shoot?” - -“Perhaps; I have not a very good command over my temper.” - -“I’ve decided not to arrest you,” remarked Burt, “as I had at first -proposed.” - -Barry smiled. - -“Will you have a glass of wine with me?” he asked. - -“No; good day.” - -“I’ll have Hare shadow him,” thought Burt, “and in that way we will -locate this infernal Abyssinian.” - -Burt made his way to his office, and found Frank there. - -“Did you get your man?” asked Burt. - -“I had him.” - -“And let him slip through your fingers, eh?” - -“That’s just the size of it,” replied Hare, with a laugh. - -Burt looked disgusted. - -“You seem to regard Blair’s escape in a humorous light,” he said. - -“There can be no harm in a man laughing at himself.” - -“How did it happen?” - -The first part of the young detective’s narrative is already known -to the reader. Frank, of course, did not find the Eye of Jobu in the -water-pitcher. - -When Bull went crashing through the window, which was on the third -floor, Hare ran down-stairs and into the street. He expected to find -his man dead, or at least badly wounded. He did not find him at all. - -Blair had lighted on a canvas awning, and, by a sudden wrench, -snapped the chain connecting the handcuffs. Then he slipped down one -of the poles that supported the awning to the street. Beyond a severe -shaking up the desperado was unhurt. - -“So,” said Burt, when his companion finished, “you saw Mike Quick?” - -“Yes--at Shaw’s,” replied Frank; “and I was sorry you were not with -me.” - -“Were you speaking to him?” - -“No; but he and my friend Bull had a long chin.” - -“I wonder does Quick suspect his crime is known?” - -“I don’t think so. Since seeing Quick I told Blair I knew all about -the killing of Murphy,” replied Frank. - -“I shouldn’t have done that.” - -“There was no harm in it.” - -“Suppose Bull runs across Mike Quick?” said Burt. - -“Well?” - -“Why, can’t you see that Blair will tell Quick we are after him?” - -“I have an idea that Bull will not care for another interview with -Quick.” - -“You should not have told him, all the same.” - -“Why, Burt, I had him dead as a prisoner,” said Hare. - -“But he got away.” - -“Yes; but I never thought he had a chance of doing so.” - -There came a sharp rap on the door. - -“Come in.” - -Enoch Cook entered, and he puffed for breath. - -“I have located Bull Blair,” he said. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - - MIKE QUICK GIVEN A SHOCK. - - -Frank Hare was wrong in the opinion that Blair would not seek an -interview with Quick. The morning after his escape from the young -detective, Bull went around to Mike’s dive. The bartender was quite -well acquainted with his visitor. - -“Where is Mike?” - -The bartender laughed. - -“The boss has gone down South on a hunting trip,” he replied. - -“You don’t sa-ay!” - -“Yes; been gone over a week now.” - -“Then it is strange I should be talking with him yesterday.” - -“I’m only giving you what he told me when he went away.” - -“Young fellow, you are entirely too fresh--see?” remarked Bull. “You -have not been employed in this place a week.” - -In fact, it was the fellow’s first day in Quick’s employ, he having -been engaged the night before to take the place of the bartender who -had on one occasion knocked Burt out. - -The newcomer, Jim Elford, was an ex-sneak-thief. - -“Sa-ay, Bull, you can’t see the boss--understand?” - -“Why can’t I see him?” - -“Just because I say you can’t.” - -“Are you the boss here?” - -“Just now I am.” - -“Is Quick in the house?” - -“Sonny,” remarked Jim, who was many years younger than the man he -addressed, “you can’t get any information from me.” - -“What have I done to you?” - -“Nothing, and I’ll take care you don’t do anything to me.” - -Bull felt like dragging the fellow from behind the bar and mauling -him. - -“I know,” he said, “that Mike wants to see me, Elford.” - -“I’ve got nothing to do with that.” - -Quick was up-stairs. He had left instructions with the bartender -to deny that he was at home. Jim seemed bent upon carrying out his -employer’s instructions to the very letter. - -“Well,” said Blair, “give me some of your whisky.” - -Elford put out a bottle and glass, and his visitor drank. - -“I’ll bet,” he said, “Mike Quick will rue not seeing me.” - -“Can’t you leave any message you have with me?” - -“No.” - -“Afraid to trust me?” - -“What I have to say is meant for Quick’s especial ear,” said Bull, -“and as I can’t see him I suppose I had better sneak.” - -Blair moved toward the door. Jim called him back. - -“Stop here a moment,” said the bartender, “and see that no one runs -off with the place.” - -Elford then went out by a rear door. - -He was absent only a few moments. - -When he returned he said: “You’ll find Mike in the room above the -store.” - -“Now, Freshy,” sneered Bull, “you see I knew what I was talking -about.” - -Blair found the dive-keeper in the room indicated by Elford. -Quick seemed in the best possible humor, and a smile wreathed his -dissipated-looking features. He had been reading an account of the -finding of Murphy’s body in a morning paper. - -No mention was made of the fact that the “fence” was alive when -found. Mike now felt sure that his victim was found dead. The case -would, he believed, go down in the annals of New York history as -a mystery. But no. The man who now called to see him knew who the -murderer was. - -Quick set his teeth hard when this occurred to him. - -“Well?” said Mike, when Blair appeared, “this visit is unexpected.” - -“It is well I got to see you at all.” - -“How is that?” - -“That chap, Elford, denied that you were in,” said Bull. - -“He was only carrying out my instructions; you can’t blame him.” - -“Mike,” said Blair, “my reason in coming here was to prove I am your -friend.” - -“I’ve never doubted it.” - -“You must clear out of here!” - -“Must I?” - -“Yes; the detectives are onto you,” answered Bull. - -Quick started. - -“What do you mean?” - -“Just what I say. They know who stabbed Monte Murphy.” - -“Who told you this?” - -“One of them.” - -“Come, now, Bull,” said Mike, with a forced smile, “I ain’t going to -believe that.” - -“It is Bible truth.” - -“Have you friendly relations with the police?” remarked Quick. - -“This fellow played me for a sucker, and came mighty near ramming me -into jail.” - -“Who is he?” - -“Frank Hare.” - -“I don’t know him.” - -“He knows you.” - -“Is he one of McClusky’s fly coppers?” asked Mike. - -“No; he works for Burt Cromwell.” - -At the mention of that name the dive-keeper became very pale. - -“Do you mean to say Burt knows about that Elizabeth Street business?” - -“Yes; he found Murphy just before the latter died.” - -“And Murphy spoke to him?” - -“Yes.” - -Now Quick trembled like an aspen. Never in his wicked life had his -position been so fraught with danger to himself. - -“You say Hare tried to arrest you?” - -Bull told of his escape. - -“Now,” said Quick, “what did he wish to arrest you for?” - -“Stealing that watch I spoke to you about,” replied Blair. - -Bull did not wish his companion to know the real reason of his visit -to the “fence.” - -“Do you know Enoch Cook?” - -“Yes.” - -“Have you seen him lately?” - -“I met him as I was coming here,” replied Bull. - -It may be stated, in passing, that Enoch had shadowed Blair to the -dive, and then hurried to Burt’s office to tell what he had done. - -“I’d like to see Cook.” - -“Perhaps I can answer as well.” - -“No; you haven’t got the brains of Enoch,” remarked Quick. “I’d like -to have him advise me what to do.” - -“Do you know where he hangs out?” - -“He has been hanging out here up until a few days ago.” - -“You don’t know where I would be likely to find him then?” - -“No,” replied Mike. “Now, Bull, suppose you are arrested for stealing -this watch?” - -“I guess,” replied Blair, laughing nervously, “I will have to go up -the river.” - -“That ain’t what I’m getting at. I’m afraid you may be tempted to -‘peach’ on me.” - -Bull looked horrified. How could any one take him for an informer? - -The idea was ridiculous. At least he told his companion that it was -preposterous. - -“Well,” remarked Quick, evidently distrustful of Blair, “I’d like to -feel sure you would be true to me.” - -“I will be, I swear it.” - -Bull raised a hand and his eyes to the ceiling. Before his visitor -had entered the room, Quick believed that Monte Murphy had not seen -any one but Blair before dying. Well it was for the latter that he -told of the old “fence” being found alive by the detective. - -When Bull was announced, Mike thought that if he put his victim out -of the way it would never be known who killed Murphy. He had about -made up his mind to kill Blair. Now he could gain nothing by doing -so, as he quite readily recognized. - -“Bull,” said Quick, “I am going to leave the city. Suppose you come -with me.” - -“Where do you intend to go?” - -“I have not figured on any place in particular.” - -“How is Boston?” - -“No good; Chicago is better.” - -“Have you any money?” - -“A few thousand.” - -“I’m your man. When will you start?” asked Bull. - -“I’ll meet you at the Pennsylvania Depot, in Jersey City, at eight -to-night.” - -“It is a bargain. Now I will be going.” - -After the departure of his visitor, Quick paced the room nervously. -His conscience did not trouble him. His mind was perturbed simply -because his crime had been discovered. And what had he gained by -killing the old “fence”? - -Nothing. The man who had just left gained that of which Quick had -gone in search. Could Mike have known that Blair had the green -diamond, he would not have allowed him to depart so readily. - -Bull had not the remotest idea of keeping his appointment with the -dive-keeper. But he did intend to leave New York on his own hook. - -Blair believed that, to save himself, Tony Riley would tell the -police all he knew about the robbery. Bull made up his mind not to -visit any of his usual haunts. - -Quick was startled by hearing what seemed to be a row down-stairs. - -“Jimmy don’t seem to be able to keep them roosters from fighting,” he -remarked. “It would be different if I was behind the bar.” - -Suddenly everything became quiet and Mike dropped into an armchair. -At that very moment the door of the room was thrown open. - -Burt Cromwell stood upon the threshold. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX. - - PIERRE JACQUET’S REVENGE. - - -At sight of the detective Quick sprang to his feet. Not until then -did he see that Burt Cromwell had a cocked revolver in his hand. - -“Sit down!” - -Mike obeyed mechanically. When Enoch Cook told the detective he had -located Bull Blair at the dive, Frank Hare wanted to go there. - -Burt Cromwell insisted upon taking the matter in his own hands. Of -course he prevailed. - -Burt Cromwell had not expected to find Quick at the dive. The row -heard by the latter occurred between Elford and the detective. Burt -Cromwell had left the fellow insensible on the barroom floor. Then he -locked up the place, before beginning a search of the premises for -Bull Blair. - -“I did not expect to find you here, my man,” said Burt Cromwell, -after a pause. - -Quick looked vacantly at the detective for a full minute. Then he -spoke. - -“By what right do you force your way into my apartments?” he said. - -“You know why I am here!” - -Yes; only too well did the rascal know. - -“I don’t know.” - -“Where is your friend?” - -“Whom do you mean?” - -“Bull Blair.” - -“He is no friend of mine.” - -“He was here?” - -“Yes,” grumbled the dive-keeper. - -“I suppose he called around to tell you he had secured that wonderful -green diamond?” remarked Burt quietly. - -Quick started. His nervous excitement was mirrored upon his face. -Blair had secured the prize. The thought was galling. - -“I don’t know what you are talking about,” he said. - -“You know very well I mean the diamond Cook told you about.” - -It now broke upon the wretch that Enoch, in whom he had so deeply -trusted, had turned informer. On all sides he seemed surrounded by -enemies. - -Mike groaned in very anguish of spirit. He cursed himself for having -returned to his den. - -“Cook never spoke to me about any diamond,” he said. - -“I prefer to believe Enoch in preference to you,” remarked Burt. - -Quick made a motion as if to put his hands behind him. - -“Keep your hands in view, or I will shoot,” cried Burt determinedly. - -Mike placed his hands on his knees. - -“Will that answer?” he asked. - -“Yes; keep them there.” - -“I shall.” - -“Now, my friend, will you please tell me what led you to kill Monte -Murphy?” - -The dive-keeper’s cheeks became ashen pale. - -“I did not kill the man.” - -“I have his word for it, and he should know,” said Burt. - -“I have not even seen the man in more than a year.” - -“Mike, lying will avail you nothing.” - -“When was he killed?” - -“You should know the hour at which you stabbed; he died some time -later.” - -“Burt, I swear I am guiltless of the charge you make.” - -“Then you will be given a chance to prove your innocence. Bull Blair -knows that you stabbed the old man.” - -“Does he say so?” - -“No; but he will tell all he knows readily enough when he is placed -on the stand.” - -Now Quick believed his late companion had been arrested. He did not -dare ask Burt if such was the case. - -“Burt, you are really barking up the wrong tree,” said Quick. - -“Do you intend to submit quietly to arrest?” remarked Burt. - -“What’s the use of kicking?” - -“Hold out your hands together and as far as you can.” - -The dive-keeper obeyed. All his brutal courage seemed to have oozed -out at his finger ends. In a jiffy Burt snapped handcuffs on the -fellow’s wrists. - -“Now, my friend,” said the detective, “I’ve got you snug enough.” - -“Burt, would you mind answering a question of mine?” - -“Certainly not.” - -“Has Enoch Cook turned up as an informer?” asked Quick. - -“I don’t know as you can properly designate him as an informer. Just -now, however, Enoch is in my employ.” - -An oath escaped the prisoner. If Cook was in the detective’s employ, -he certainly could not be anything else but an informer. That’s the -way Quick argued the matter. - -“Enoch used to talk very loud against you chaps,” remarked Mike. - -“He has come to see the error of his ways,” smiled Burt. - -“Oh, no; he is an old hand and cannot lead a straight life, no matter -how hard he may try,” declared Quick. - -“Just now he is endeavoring to do reparation for a wrong to which he -was a party.” - -“Was Kidd in the job?” - -“Yes--the prime mover.” - -“Have you arrested him?” - -“Not yet.” - -“When Dick comes to find out that Cook has gone back on him there -will be some hair pulling, or I lose my guess.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“That Kidd will have Enoch’s scalp,” replied Mike. - -“I guess Cook is fully able to protect himself.” - -“He may be.” - -“Some time ago you denied knowing Dick Kidd; now you speak of him as -a firm acquaintance,” remarked Burt. - -“I’ll tell you how it is.” - -“Don’t; I haven’t time to listen to explanations,” said Burt. “Come.” - -“Must I go?” - -“You don’t suppose I am joking with you, my man?” - -“I wish to Heaven it were a joke!” said the dive-keeper. - -“So do I, for your sake. I do not like to help forward a man to the -gallows.” - -The gallows! - -At mention of that Quick felt his blood run cold. He had always -considered himself courageous in a marked degree. It was that his -brutal instincts blinded his reason. At bottom he was not as brave as -the ordinary man. - -Now he felt limp. There was no ray of hope in his mind. Why had he -allowed the detective to make him a prisoner so easily? - -He regretted being so docile. Better to have been shot and killed by -Burt than to die on the scaffold. - -The man worked himself into such a nervous condition that finally he -became terror-stricken. - -“Burt,” he said, “I will give you everything I possess in the world -for one hour of freedom.” - -“You know very well I cannot consider such an offer.” - -If Burt had had the slightest doubt of the man’s guilt it vanished -now. He never saw a more guilty-looking being. - -Quick trembled in every limb and his knees became weak. Burt feared -the fellow was going to collapse. - -“I am not guilty!” - -The murderer’s voice was low and husky. - -“We will leave that for the court to decide,” said Burt. - -Then he inserted his arm within that of his prisoner and led him from -the place. That was Mike Quick’s last farewell to the dive over which -he so long presided. At the same time that Mike was being led to -prison another affair in which we are interested was taking place. - -The scene was a café on Bleecker Street and the parties Pierre -Jacquet and Mr. Richard Kidd. - -The latter had moved his place of residence to that quarter. Only the -day before Pierre had been discharged from the hospital as cured. The -meeting of the pair was purely accidental. - -Kidd was engaged eating breakfast when the man he had wronged -entered. At sight of Dick the Frenchman gave a great start. Then he -conjured up a pleasant smile. - -Kidd grew ghastly pale as Jacquet approached him. He had no weapon -and he cursed himself for leaving his room without arming himself, as -was his custom. Pierre seated himself at the same table and opposite -Dick. - -“You do not seem to have much appetite, monsieur.” - -Kidd glanced apprehensively at the other. Jacquet’s face still wore a -smile. - -“I’m glad to see you,” remarked Dick, for the want of something -better to say. - -“I thought you would be.” - -“I did not, however, expect to see you in America,” remarked Kidd. - -“No?” - -“You seemed so wrapped up in Paris I did not suppose you would ever -leave it.” - -“I came to New York to pay a visit and for a change of scene.” - -“Have you friends here?” - -“Are you not my friend?” - -“Certainly.” - -Kidd had never uttered a greater lie. - -“You see, then, I have at least one friend,” laughed Jacquet. - -“You did not cross the ocean to visit me, surely?” - -“Who knows?” - -“How are all my friends in Paris?” - -“Quite well; and they will be delighted when I go back to learn that -I have met you.” - -Every moment Kidd thought that the Frenchman was about to spring at -him. Jacquet continued to wear that imperturbable smile. - -“I shall be delighted to show you around,” said Dick. - -“How is Aimee?” - -“Who do you mean?” - -“My wife.” - -“How should I know? Is she not well?” remarked Kidd. - -The latter felt that a crisis was coming. He looked toward the door -longingly. Had he sprung toward it Pierre could easily intercept him. - -“Villain!” hissed Jacquet, and now the smile disappeared; “you stole -my wife from me!” - -Kidd laughed. The wretch’s laugh was unreal. - -“I have never seen your wife since I left your cabaret; some one has -been imposing upon you, my dear Jacquet.” - -“Aimee left a letter behind saying she had gone away with you, and -friends of mine saw you together at Havre.” - -“A lie!” - -“It is truth. I came across the ocean to see you, Monsieur Kidd.” - -“Pierre, I will be candid with you,” remarked Dick. - -“Well?” - -“Your wife did come to America on the same vessel as I did.” - -The Frenchman’s eyes blazed with passion and he compressed his lips. - -“But,” continued Kidd, “I swear to you it was not a case of -elopement. I did not even know your wife contemplated coming to this -country until I met her on shipboard.” - -“That is a nice tale.” - -“It is a true one.” - -“How can you prove it?” - -“By your wife.” - -“I have no wife.” - -Jacquet’s speech contained more truth than he thought. Aimee -Jacquet’s remains had become food for the fishes long before. - -“You have a wife.” - -“I had one; she disgraced me, and is now forever dead to me.” - -“She has not disgraced you.” - -“No?” - -“She is now in Philadelphia.” - -“Do you know her address?” - -“Yes; I have forgotten the number, but I have it written down in a -book, which is in my room. I know the name of the street is Callow -Hill.” - -“Did she give you any reason for leaving me?” asked Pierre. - -“She declared she could no longer mix with the class of people who -visited your cabaret,” answered Kidd. - -Dick began to entertain hope that Jacquet believed his story. It did -seem so. - -“Aimee did not tell you,” remarked Pierre, “that one of her brothers -is undergoing life imprisonment for murder and robbery?” - -“No.” - -“I did not know but she had confided her own family history to you.” - -“I did not seek to win the lady’s confidence; as a matter of fact, I -desired her to return home.” - -“How good of you, my dear Monsieur Kidd,” sneered the Frenchman. - -“Pierre, you will not feel offended if I tell you something -unpleasant?” - -“No.” - -“I believe your wife has become insane.” - -“Then you drove her to it!” - -Pierre whipped out a revolver and fired pointblank at the destroyer -of his home. With a groan, Dick Kidd tumbled out of his chair to the -floor. - - - - - CHAPTER XXX. - - THE PRINCESS VISITS STOLBURST. - - -The day after her interview with the detective Zulima had a caller in -the person of Ashah. The giant came in a coach and told the princess -her uncle wanted to see her. As he knew, the beautiful girl regarded -Ajeeb’s commands as imperative. - -She entered the coach with Ashah and they were driven very far -up-town. Ajeeb had taken possession of a somber-looking building that -stood alone by itself. During the journey the ill-assorted couple -never exchanged a word. - -Upon arriving at their destination they found Ajeeb was not at home. -He had left a note behind saying he would not return for an hour. - -“Ashah,” said the princess, in her most gentle terms, “is the -prisoner under this roof?” - -“Yes.” - -“I should like to see him.” - -The giant frowned. - -“That would not be pleasing to my master,” he said. - -“Did Ajeeb tell you I was not to be allowed to see Stolburst?” - -“No.” - -“Then why do you refuse to grant my wish?” - -“I have not refused.” - -“Then conduct me to where Stolburst is,” requested the girl. - -“Don’t you think Ajeeb would be angry if I did so?” - -“Why should he? Am I not of the same faith? There can be none who -grieves more for Jobu’s loss than I.” - -Ashah really believed this. - -“Come,” he said. - -The giant conducted Zulima to a room on the top floor and there left -her. Zulima saw her old friend stretched upon a lounge, and bound -hand and foot. - -Stolburst’s cheeks were sunken, and his eyes looked dull. At sight of -his visitor color suffused the prisoner’s thin cheeks. - -“You here to taunt me?” exclaimed the prisoner bitterly. - -Tears sprang into the beauty’s eyes. Not until now did she fully -realize how much the man had suffered. She felt that she was -responsible for much of Stolburst’s suffering. - -“I did not come here to taunt you,” said Zulima. - -“Then leave me.” - -“Leave you?” - -“Yes; I cannot bear to look upon your false face.” - -Now a tear stole down the girl’s cheek. Stolburst saw it. He thought -she was shamming grief. - -“I came here to assure myself that you still lived.” - -“Life can never be but a mockery to me, deformed as I am.” - -“Yesterday I saw one who will free you,” said the girl. - -“Who?” - -“His name is Burt Cromwell.” - -“I suppose you came to tell your uncle all about it?” - -“Nothing of the kind.” - -“Why are you here?” - -“Ajeeb sent for me.” - -“What does he want?” - -“I have not seen him yet; he is away from home.” - -“To-morrow,” said the prisoner, and he laughed hysterically, “your -uncle is going to even up matters for me.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“Nothing much; he merely promises to remove my other ear!” - -“It shall not be!” cried the girl, with heightened color. - -“Who will prevent it?” - -“I!” - -“What!” cried the prisoner; “you would not dare run counter to your -uncle’s wishes?” - -“I have resolved to do so,” said Zulima, in a low whisper. - -Stolburst looked at his visitor in wild amazement. He still believed -that it was she who had planned his capture. Was she only torturing -him by holding out hopes which would never be fulfilled? - -He believed so. Experience had taught him that the Abyssinians were -cruel to a most remarkable degree. - -“If you intend to help me,” said Stolburst, “cut my bonds at once.” - -“No.” - -“I thought you were but making sport of my misery.” - -“You misjudge me.” - -“Yes, once I did,” he said; “but since then my eyes have been opened -to your true character.” - -“On my knees I have begged my uncle to give you freedom.” - -“I won’t believe that.” - -“It is truth.” - -“Then why do you not release me now, while you have the chance?” - -“Ashah is down-stairs and he would kill you if you tried to escape.” - -“Then how do you propose to free me?” asked Stolburst. - -“By sacrificing my uncle!” - -“Explain.” - -“I shall tell the detective where to find you,” said Zulima. - -“Do you know where to find him?” - -“No; but he spoke of calling upon me,” replied the girl. - -Stolburst told her where Burt’s office was. - -“Now,” said Zulima, “I must go down-stairs before Ajeeb returns.” - -“Will you see the detective to-day?” - -“Yes, if it is possible.” - -“Excuse my cruel words,” said Stolburst; “you are not the wicked -creature I thought.” - -Zulima smiled and left him. When Ajeeb appeared he told his niece he -wished her to take possession of his former abode. She acquiesced. - -Zulima did not tell her uncle of having met the detective. Neither -did she speak of her visit to the explorer. Her interview with Ajeeb -was very short. - -At its conclusion she departed. Zulima noted well the number of her -uncle’s residence. She lost no time in going to Burt’s office. - -There she met Frank Hare, who was, of course, unknown to her. He told -her that Burt was absent and he did not know when he would return. - -Zulima declared she would wait. Hare asked her to confide her -business to him. This Zulima refused to do. - -Frank did not press her. The young detective, as he drank in her -beauty, surmised who the visitor was. Burt had spoken to him more -than once about her. After having Quick committed to the Tombs Burt -returned to his office. - -Then Hare very prudently took his departure. - -“My dear madam,” said Burt, “have you been waiting long to see me?” - -“About an hour, but I did not mind,” replied Zulima. - -“Can I do anything for you?” - -“Yes.” - -“Name it.” - -“I want to exact a promise from you,” said the girl. - -“What do you require?” - -“That if I help you find Mr. Stolburst you will not arrest my uncle.” - -Burt smiled. He now felt sure the girl knew where the explorer was -confined. - -“I’m afraid,” he said, “that you are asking too much.” - -“Then you will not agree to my terms?” said Zulima. - -“It is impossible.” - -“What do you care whether Ajeeb is punished so long as you secure the -freedom of your employer?” - -“But I do care.” - -“Why?” - -“Because I would be false to my duty if I were to allow so great a -rascal as Ajeeb to escape punishment.” - -“I am sorry you have arrived at that decision,” remarked Zulima. - -“It is unalterable.” - -“Then I cannot help you.” - -“You have learned where Stolburst is?” - -“Yes.” - -“Didn’t you know yesterday?” - -“No, sir.” - -“Have you seen the poor fellow?” inquired Burt. - -“Yes, and talked with him.” - -The fact that she had promised Stolburst to secure his freedom was -ever present. - -“I cannot promise what you ask, so I suppose I shall have to find my -man without your aid?” - -Zulima was surprised at the detective’s coolness. She thought he -would jump at her offer when she made it. She felt much chagrined -over his failure to do so. - -“Without my aid,” said Zulima, “you will never succeed.” - -“I shall at least try very hard,” smiled the detective. - -The girl became uneasy. This was quite apparent. - -Burt believed she would tell him what he desired to know without him -entering into conditions. There was a great struggle going on in the -beauty’s mind. It was pity contending with duty. - -The law would not take her uncle’s life. Her uncle might take -Stolburst’s life. The battle was over. - -“I will tell you where to find Mr. Stolburst,” she said. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXI. - - CONCLUSION. - - -Zulima told the detective where her uncle was domiciled. Then, -womanlike, she burst into a flood of tears. Bitterly did she regret -ever having become acquainted with the explorer. - -Burt found Frank in the hallway and told him of his discovery. - -“Have you got Bull Blair?” asked Hare. - -“No.” - -“Then you look after the Abyssinians and I’ll have another try at -cooking his mutton.” - -“Don’t you want to come with me?” remarked Burt. - -“Do you want me?” - -“Not exactly.” - -“Then I will look Bull up if I can. He won’t give me the shake this -time if I succeed in getting the nippers on him.” - -Burt returned to Zulima. She had stopped weeping. - -Rising to leave she said: “The information I have given you may cost -me my life.” - -“There is no danger of that.” - -“At any rate,” said the beauty, “life now holds no promises for me.” - -Bowing to the detective, she departed. An hour later the house -occupied by the heathen priest was surrounded, front and rear, by -a score of policemen. Accompanied by two sergeants of police Burt -forced his way into the house by way of the basement door. - -As the door gave away Ashah sprang for the detective with uplifted -sword. Burt dodged the blow aimed at him and fired at the giant. - -Ashah tumbled to the floor with a bullet in his brain. The faithful -slave had died in defense of his rascally master. - -“This way!” cried Burt, and he led the way up-stairs. - -The two sergeants followed with drawn revolvers. When they reached -the parlor floor they heard two pistol reports up-stairs. - -That caused the little party to accelerate their speed. - -Burt readily found Stolburst’s new quarters. Upon the floor lay -Ajeeb, with a smoking revolver in his hand. Blood flowed in a -continuous stream from a little hole in his forehead, the edges of -which were blackened with powder. He had bragged to Billy Barry that -he should never die by violence, yet he had in the end inflicted -death with his own hand. - -Before shooting himself Ajeeb had shot Stolburst. The bullet aimed at -the latter’s heart had struck a rib and glanced off. Seeing escape -impossible, Ajeeb determined to kill both his prisoner and himself. - -Luckily for Stolburst, the villain’s plan had miscarried. - -Burt cut the bonds that encircled the prisoner’s ankles and wrists. -Stolburst was insensible, but he soon came around. When he saw the -detective bending over him the unfortunate man’s features became -illuminated with joy. - -“At last!” he murmured. - -“Yes; you won’t suffer any more.” - -“The Eye of Jobu--have you recovered it yet?” - -“No.” - -The explorer’s countenance fell. - -“Too bad--too bad!” - -“I have a good prospect of securing it,” said Burt. - -“Tell me upon what you base your hopes.” - -“Not now.” - -“But I must know.” - -“You are too weak to converse; I will tell you soon enough.” - -A doctor was sent for, and when he came he dressed Stolburst’s wound. -The physician was greatly surprised to see the man had but one ear. -Burt took him aside and told him how Stolburst had lost the ear. - -“There is a man in Paris who could do something for him.” - -The doctor gave Burt the party’s name and Burt wrote it down. Then he -had Stolburst conveyed to a hospital in an ambulance. - -As Burt was leaving the house Zulima met him on the stoop. - -“Did you arrest my uncle?” the beautiful girl asked. - -“No.” - -Her face brightened up. - -“I am so glad!” - -“Zulima, your uncle is dead.” - -The princess did not cry. For a moment she regarded the detective -with a stony stare. - -“Where is the body?” - -“In the room where Stolburst was confined,” replied Burt. - -“Did you kill him?” - -“He killed himself.” - -Without another word the princess went up-stairs. - -Burt took his departure. - -It now becomes necessary for us to follow Frank Hare. That cheerful -and ambitious young man got himself up like a beggar. Then he -sauntered out to find Bull Blair. - -For hours he went from saloon to saloon in the Fourth and Sixth -Wards, begging. His receipts were lamentably small. At about -nightfall he flushed his quarry. He came on Blair in a beer saloon on -Baxter Street. - -As when he met him in Shaw’s, Frank found him alone. - -“Please help a poor man,” said Hare, going up to the burglar. - -“Clear out!” - -“Won’t you give me a little something?” pleaded the pseudo-beggar. - -“Haven’t got anything. I’m thinking about going into your line of -business myself.” - -“Ain’t you Bull Blair?” - -The rascal started at mention of his name, but he did not discover -Frank’s identity. - -“Suppose I am?” - -“I’ve been hunting for you all day,” said Hare meekly. - -“What have you been hunting me for?” asked Bull. - -“Because I’m getting paid for it.” - -“Paid for it?” - -“That’s what I said.” - -“Who is paying you?” - -“Mike Quick’s bartender.” - -“How do you know me?” - -“Lord bless you,” said Hare, “I haven’t been traveling about this -district for years without knowing some of the people who live in it!” - -“I don’t ever remember seeing you before,” returned Blair. - -“That ain’t my fault.” - -“Who said it was?” said Bull. “So Jimmy Elford told you to find me?” - -“Yes; I’m to get a dollar for the job,” replied Frank. - -“Well, you’ve earned the dollar.” - -“That’s a mighty comfortable thing for me; I won’t have to roost in -City Hall Park to-night.” - -“What does Elford want?” - -“To see you.” - -“Why didn’t he look for me himself?” remarked Blair. - -“I didn’t ask him.” - -“Have you no message?” - -“He told me to say that Burt Cromwell had gathered in his boss.” - -Bull started. - -“What!” he exclaimed; “has Mike Quick been arrested?” - -“Sure as a gun.” - -“I can’t do anything for him.” - -“I’m not asking you.” - -“Don’t be so sassy,” said Blair. “Where can I see Elford?” - -“Down at Shaw’s.” - -“I don’t like to go there.” - -“You needn’t go in; I’ll have him come out to you.” - -“Is Quick’s place closed?” - -“I guess so; the bartender told me he was going to close.” - -“Come along, then; we will go to Shaw’s.” - -When in the vicinity of the Oak Street Police Station Frank suddenly -presented a revolver at his companion’s head. - -“What does this mean?” - -“It means,” replied Hare, speaking in his natural voice, “that you -won’t get away from me this time!” - -Blair recognized the detective for the first time. - -“If you try to escape,” said Frank sternly, “I’ll put a bullet -through your head! Now march!” - -The young detective landed his fish in the police station. Then he -reported the capture to his chief. - -“Did he turn over the green diamond?” said Burt. - -“No,” replied Hare nonchalantly; “but he’ll weaken, see if he don’t.” - -Frank’s prophecy was fulfilled. The next day Blair sent for him and -told him where he had buried the booty he had secured at Murphy’s. -The spot indicated was beyond the Harlem, but Hare had little -difficulty in finding it. - -That afternoon he very triumphantly turned over the treasure to his -chief. Both detectives took considerable interest in examining the -great green diamond. - -Mike Quick was convicted of the murder of Monte Murphy. He was never -hanged, having been carried off by an attack of pneumonia. - -Bull Blair was sent up the river for twenty years, while his pal, -Tony Riley, got off with ten. After the death of the heathen priest -Burt lost sight of both Billy Barry and the beautiful Zulima. - -Dick Kidd died of the wound inflicted by Pierre Jacquet, who fled the -country and was never captured afterward. When Kidd felt that death -was near he confessed to the murder of Aimee Jacquet. - -Enoch Cook drifted to Chicago, and was killed in a drunken row there. - -Henry Stolburst sent the Eye of Jobu to King John of Abyssinia. He -went to Paris and visited the physician already referred to. The -latter did much to relieve the explorer of his horrible appearance. - -But he has never forgotten that he owes his rescue to Burt’s -fidelity, and whenever, in the course of his travels, anything comes -up that he can turn over to Burt he does so. - -“Burt Cromwell,” he is fond of saying, “is the best detective I have -ever met in the entire world.” - - - THE END. - - - - - MAGNET LIBRARY - - A weekly publication devoted to Detective literature. March 4, 1905 - - No. 435 - - - “Get Acquainted With Smith’s” - - The Big Three - - [Illustration: MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON] - - [Illustration: MRS. MARY J. HOLMES] - - [Illustration: CHARLES GARVICE] - - - You are now looking at the three most popular authors in America. - Ten million copies of their novels have been sold and they are now - exclusively engaged to supply =Smith’s Magazine= with all their new - work. - - Get a copy of the current number and look it over. It’s the best - published at - - TEN CENTS - - - =SMITH PUBLISHING HOUSE=, _NEW YORK_ - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - The Table of Contents at the beginning of the book was created by - the transcriber. - - Inconsistencies in hyphenation such as “every-day”/“every day” have - been maintained. - - Minor punctuation and spelling errors have been silently corrected - and, except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the - text, especially in dialogue, and inconsistent or archaic usage, - have been retained. - - Page 15: “as great as his devoteees” changed to “as great as his - devotees”. - - Page 56: “dive-keeper adjourned to the rear room, where they seatd” - changed to “dive-keeper adjourned to the rear room, where they - seated”. - - Page 57: “famous fences in New York--Monte Murhpy” changed to - “famous fences in New York--Monte Murphy”. - - Page 196: “the desperado was uphurt” changed to “the desperado was - unhurt”. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT GREEN DIAMOND *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |