“You would have lured away the Pearl of Tangier.”
“And you would force her to marry you against her wishes, you old reprobate! And you are old enough to be her father—yes, her grandfather! You ought to be tarred and feathered!”
Ali Mustaf looked as if he longed to sink his glittering dagger in the heart of the dauntless youth.
“Your tongue shall be torn out by the roots!” he grated, furiously. “Your body shall be cast to the swine, Christian dog!”
“You continue to make pleasant promises; but you may discover it is not possible to make them all good. I expect to be frisking around on terra firma long years after you are sleeping sweetly under the daisies.”
Having walked into the trap, Frank was determined not to show a tremor, knowing it would be the worse for him if these men saw that he entertained the least fear.
Azza had crawled to his feet, and he was keeping his beady eyes on the boy, a savage expression on his crafty face. Plainly he longed to have revenge for the blow that had driven him like a bag of sawdust against the wall.
The girl had remained speechless since entering the room, much to Frank’s surprise. He had thought she would be much wrought up over the appearance of her uncle and Ali Mustaf, but she betrayed no emotion.
Sudden suspicion assailed the boy. Could it be possible that she had conspired to lead him into this trap?
“Igela,” he cried, “did you know these men were lying in wait for me? It is not possible that you betrayed me.”