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"Almost I doubt you," he said. "Yes, I can understand. Avarice is so common, and disinterestedness, friendship, and love so uncommon." "Verily, a great truth has struck you early." "Well, hear what I have to ask." "Speak." "You have in your service an African" "Nilo?" "That is his name. He is strong, faithful, and brave, qualities I may need more than gold. Will you allow him to go with me?"
It was the spot he sought; he knew it, and breathed easily. In murky lamplight, with mallet and chisel ah, how long ago! he had worked a shelf there, finishing it with an oblong pocket in the bottom. To mask the hole was simple. Three or four easy-fitting blocks were removed, and thrusting a hand in, he drew forth the sheepskin mantle of the elder Nilo.
The Prince's look and manner changed, and he took the monk's hand. "Forgive me," he said warmly "forgive me, if I spoke doubtfully forgive me, if I misunderstood you." Then, with his usual promptitude, he went to the door, and bade Syama bring Nilo. "You know my method of speech with him?" the Prince asked. "Yes," Sergius replied.
At that meeting, conventionalities were not observed. He carried her into the passage, and gave her the keeper's chair; after which, reminded of the programme so carefully laid out by him, he returned with Nilo to the court, where the illumination in the sky still dropped its relucent flush. Turning the King face to him he asked: "Where is the keeper?"
"An hour ago I would have entitled you Emir: but now" the Prince smiled while speaking "I have stayed to thank Count Corti for his kindness to my black friend Nilo." "Your servant?" "My friend and ally Nilo the King.... If the Count desires to add to the obligation, he will send the royal person to me with Ali when he returns to-night." "I will send him." "Thanks, Count Corti."
The struggle which ensued the gnashing of teeth, the bellowing, the rolling and blind tossing and pitching, the labor with the mighty limbs, the snapping of the net, the burrowing into the sand, the further and more inextricable entanglement of the enraged brute may be left to imagination. Almost before the spectators realized the altered condition, Nilo was stabbing him with the short sword.
At this age, Orientals lingering at table have the cheer of coffee and tobacco; unhappily for the two of whom we are writing, neither of the great narcotics was discovered. Nevertheless it should not be supposed the fruits, the honey, and the waters failed to content them. Behind the host is the negro we already know as Nilo. He is very watchful of his master's every motion.
"Nilo," the master said in Greek, "bring me the two malachite rings those with the turquoise eyes." The slave disappeared. "Touching the request to be released from the promise of secrecy, pardon me, O Emir, if I decline to grant it. The verification to be made in Constantinople should advise thee that the revolution to which I referred is not ripe for publication to the world.
"The lion is dead, and thou art safe." She scarcely heard him. He dropped upon his knee. "The lion is dead, O Princess, and here is the hand which slew him here thy rescuer." She looked her gratitude to Nilo speak she could not. "And thou, too," the Count continued, to the monk, "must have thanks for him."
The manoeuvres thus detailed advise the reader somewhat of the particulars of the programme in execution by the monk and Nilo; nor that only they notify him of the arrival of a very interesting part of the arrangement. In short, it is time to say that, one in the recess of the door, the other shut up in the sedan, they are both on the lookout for Demedes. Would he come? And when?
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