“Since Monsieur has the goodness to inquire, if Monsieur has any of that fine champagne I tasted before——”
“Ah yes! Certainly.” And he gave a rapid order to the Lur. Then he stood silent, his eyes fixed on the reed portière. Gaston was more impressed than ever as he stood too, béret in hand, looking around the little saloon, so oddly, yet so comfortably fitted out with rugs and skins. Presently the Lur reappeared through the reed portière, which aroused the Brazilian from his abstraction. He filled the two glasses himself, waving his attendant out of the cabin, and handed one to Gaston. The other he raised in the air, bowing to his guest. “To the victor!” he said. “And sit down, won’t you? There is more than one glass in that bottle.”
Gaston was enchanted to sit down and to sip another cognac.
“But, Monsieur,” he exclaimed, looking about again, “you travel like an emperor!”
“Ho!” laughed Magin, with a quick glance at Gaston. “I am well enough here. But there is one difficulty.” He looked at his glass, holding it up to the light. “I travel too slowly.”
Gaston smiled.
“In Persia, who cares?”
“Well, it happens that at this moment I do. I have affairs at Mohamera. And in this tub it will take me three days more at the best—without considering that I shall have to wait till daylight to get through the rocks at Ahwaz.” He lowered his glass and looked back at Gaston. “Tell me: Why shouldn’t you take me down, ahead of my tub? Eh? Or to Sablah, if Mohamera is too far? It would not delay you so much, after all. You can tell them any story you like at Sheleilieh. Otherwise I am sure we can make a satisfactory arrangement.” He put his hand suggestively into his pocket.
Gaston considered it between sips. It really was not much to do for this uncle of America who had been so amiable. And others had suddenly become so much less amiable than their wont. Moreover that Bakhtiari—he might repent when he heard the motor again. At any rate one could say that one had waited for him. And the Brazilian would no doubt show a gratitude so handsome that one could afford to be a little independent. If those on the steamer asked any questions when the motor-boat passed, surely the Brazilian, who was more of a seigneur than any employé of an oil company, would know how to answer.
“Allons! Why not?” he said aloud.