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.