Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 89: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE BALLET-GIRL’8 REVENGE. 83 a “Goou. Mermet clapped his hands and the attendant re- appeared, ' “ Ahmet,” said the Arab, ‘‘ The sahib’s hat and cane. He would go.” Ahmet salaamed and withdrew. “I beg your pardon,” said the baronet, as if broaching an unpleasant matter. ‘But before I go there is a little matter. I believe that I—” The Arab glanced up inquiringly. He would not help him at all. ‘There should be some little consideration, I be- lieve ?”” **T don’t understand.” “* A—a fee.” ‘ ‘Oh! payment,” said the Arab. ** Well, yes.” “No. I don’t barter my knowledge for dross—~m learning for coin.”’ “Pardon me, but in our country everything is bought and sold. Therefore I deemed—” “Oh! I know well. I am notof this land, but I know well your customs and respect them. But I have no need of wealth. My servant, however, is more worldly in his views. He craves for gold. He is avaricious. Ifyou would indulge the generosity of your nature, give him whatyou will. You wiil then gratify me and Ahmet too.” With this the conference terminated, and Sir Har- rold King was shown out. As soon as he was gone the coloured domestic re- entered the room. ‘Well, Ahmet,” said the Arab necromancer. ‘‘ And how much did the Englishman leave ?” This,’ And he placed five sovereigns upon the table. “‘ Five !”” said the Arab in a low tone. ‘* Fool! he’s as prodigal as ever with his gold. One would have done as well and given him a greatname. Well, well, one thing I see from all this which is useful to know—they haven’t yet bled him to death. 1 must look him up again.” Thus speaking, the Arab swept the gold into a bead- worked bag, Rising by the aid of his crutches, he lifted the cushion of the ottoman and deposiied the bag in a small metal box. While he was thus engaged another visitor was an- nounced. He was a tall handsome man of a military ap- pearance. He bowed stiffly as he entered the room. The Arab eyed him curiously from beneath his bushy brows. “Strange,’”? he muttered to himself, face is not unknown to me.” Then he continued aloud, “You desire to have speech with me 2?” e I do.”’ “* May I ask the nature of your business ?’’ ‘IT have heard much of your skill in compounding drugs.’’ At this point the Arab half rose from his seat. It would almost appear as if something wonderfully familiar in the visitor’s tone had struck him. Calming himself, however, by an effort (marvel- lously concealed, by the bye), he resumed his seat, and begged the other to proceed. **T was about to ask, too, in reference to your drugs, have you any deadly poisons for vermin?” “ Humph !” “That do not affect human life ?” “Yes, I have none other.” As the Arab watched him closely he could trace a faint shade of disappointment stealing over his face. *‘ But that His object in this being achieved, he hastened to | i UIC NOOK Make an amendment to his speech which completely changed its character. ‘That is, I keep none but such as those for use.”’ * You have others ?” ‘*T have.” “And would dispose of them?” demanded the Visitor eagerly, or WieR sy ** You have them now 2” “T have, but I only keep them prepared in certain doses for certain maladies.” The visitor eyed him eagerly, as if he would read his very soul. ‘*No matter,” said he. you have by you. auswer my purpose.” ‘€ Who is it you would slay 2” The visitor turned pale, andlooked up half tottering by his seat. ‘6 Slay 2” c¢ Ay.” “Who? What do you mean ?”? “I forgot,” said the Arab, with his piercing dark eyes fixed upon his visitor. “‘In my tongue the form of speech would be the same. ‘ Who would you slay ?’ would apply equally to a human slaughter or the killing of reptiles.” ‘* Here it is different,’’ said the visitor, somewhat reasured. ‘* We should rather phrase it ‘ What would you kill ?’ ” *¢ Thank you.” ** Well, I would poison a dog.” ‘* Ay, a treacherous animal.” There was a brutal intensity of passion in these words, which the Arab mentally noted. ** You think it dangerous ?”’ 66 No.’ “Then why would you slay—I beg your pardon— kill it 2?” ‘“* Because it has bitten me once.”’ *¢ And it is rather a revenge—”’ The visitor changed colour at tlie expression. But Mermet proceeded. ‘Upon the poor brute than aught else ?” *¢ Possibly.” “Then bring me your dog, and I will put. him out of your way, so surely and so safely that you may rely upon it that it will never trouble you more.” ** No, no, I cannot do that.” *¢ Then I can charm his life away.” *¢ Charm ?” ** Ay, involve it in spells so potent that in an hour he dies.” The visitor burst into a coarse laugh. “Come, come, my friend,” said he. “You dc draw it a little too strong. I can stand much, but really, 7pon my soul, that’s too much.’’ The Arab frowned. Then he looked up perfectly calm and collected. *¢ My words sound strange 2” ‘Not exactly strange,’’ said the visitor. say ridiculous.” *¢ Silence !” The visitor looked indignant. ‘© You rascally old imposter !’”’ he ejaculated. ‘* How dare you presume to address me thus? I’ve half a mind to trounce you.”’ The Arab’s long bony hands might, be seen to clutch nervously at the cushions of his seat at. these words, : But when he spoke his voice betrayed no emotion or anger. ; ‘< Silence, I say !’’ he continued. ‘f Remember that you address one whose age alone should secure the respect of such as you.”’ ‘* Let me have such as I will pay handsomely if they “T may