“He will not molest you further,” continued his late antagonist; “once foiled in his spring, like the tiger, he will not renew the attack. Had he slain you I should have paid him five zwanzigers; as it is, the poor fellow will only get his ducking for his pains.”
“Why did he follow us?” asked Lewis.
“When you entered I gave him a hint not to let you pass on your return; had he attempted to stop you, however, I believed you would shoot me, therefore, thinking I could obtain your death or capture without losing my own life, I gave him a glance by which he knew he was not to interrupt you. He then asked me in the thieves’ patois of this place what he was to do, and I told him to follow us, as you were a spy. You know the rest.”
Lewis paused for a moment, and then said abruptly, “You are an Englishman?”
“I am.”
“You will accompany me to my rooms,” rejoined Lewis; “I would question you further.”
“For what purpose?”
“That you will learn at the fitting time,” returned Lewis.
“What if I refuse?”
“I will summon the police, and if you attempt to escape, I will shoot you through the head,” was the stern rejoinder.