"Absolutely nothing. He has reached the turning point. If he does not die in an hour or so, he will live."
"Come," said Cæsar, "we must not risk contagion."
Outside the hut he paused, and spoke to the Arab, who immediately left the stockade. He then ordered Max to enter his hut, and followed with his loaded revolver in his hand.
"You have come to spy out my secrets," said he. "You are at liberty to learn as much as you wish. It can make no difference to me; for I intend that you shall never see Europe again."
So saying, he drew a bunch of keys from his pocket, and stepped to the great, padlocked chest on the other side of the room. One by one, he unlocked the padlocks, and then threw back the lid, and stood by, holding the candle over the contents.
"Here," said he, "see for yourself. Few have ever witnessed such a sight."
Max drew nearer, and looked down into the box. For some seconds he stood as if spellbound, unable to move his gaze. The chest was about three-quarters full of the most enormous Oriental rubies.
Cæsar took one at random, and held it before the light. Garnets had been found in Africa, and even spinels; but these were genuine rubies of the highest quality, such as had hitherto only been discovered in the famous mines of Ava.
[CHAPTER XVII--THE TABLES TURNED]
When Max looked up into the face of the Portuguese the man was smiling, so that his white teeth showed in the blackness of his beard.