“I suspect it was taken by one of my servants, both of whom deserted me.”
“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.”
“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.
We left Enoch Cook and Dick Kidd in the latter’s room.
“So,” said Cook, “that nigger high priest is in New York?”
“You can bet I wouldn’t want to be in Stolburst’s shoes.”
“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?”
“I’ll meet you at Mike Quick’s at ten,” said Kidd.
“I guess it would be dangerous for me to show up there.”
“This detective chap will reason that you won’t dare return.”
“Well, I’ll take a walk around there and see.”
“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.
“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.”
“He could about tell you whom I ran up against,” said Quick.
“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.”
“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.”