"Underground," said Abdslem, jeeringly.
"Where you will soon be, O evil-eyed one, if you do not go whence you came. I know not what you talk of."
"How should you, O poor man?" said Abdslem; "you know nothing of the wonderful case in the fondak? You cannot shoot lions; we do not know the well; and here you are taken in the fact?"
Hassan's eye was beginning to glow.
"Wilt thou not go thy ways, O accursed one? I want not thy company."
"I know it, O darweesh!" said Abdslem, "but I want yours. In the name of the Sultan I summon you. Follow me."
"Ha! ha! the Sultan! O son of a black father, go! Return—I follow not a slave."
Abdslem derived courage from the knowledge that if he killed Hassan, he would not only be justified but rewarded. He therefore advanced upon him, saying,—
"Come you must; it is the Sultan's command."