“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Will you have a glass of wine with me?” he asked.
“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.
“And let him slip through your fingers, eh?”
“That’s just the size of it,” replied Hare, with a laugh.
“You seem to regard Blair’s escape in a humorous light,” he said.
“There can be no harm in a man laughing at himself.”
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.