“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.
“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.
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.”
“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?”
“It is true; and that is the principal reason I had for crossing the great seas.”
“The wretch who was on guard at the time,” said Ajeeb, his cheeks aflame with anger, “confessed all before he died.”
“That he admitted the American, and allowed him to insult the great Jobu.”
“The green diamond?” cried Zulima, in great terror.
“Yes; and more than that, he carried it away with him.”
“Perhaps the eye was taken by one of the American’s servants?”
“But it may be so. Have you seen him?” questioned Zulima.
“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.
“Does the American come here often?” asked Ajeeb.
“He would come to-night if you were to send for him?”
“Thy will shall be done,” said Zulima, and her heart was stricken with terror.
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.