“How came you here?” asked the explorer, after a pause.

“I shadowed Ajeeb to the house, and was made prisoner by Ashah, who, in turn, seems to have been shadowing me.”

“Has Burt any knowledge that I am held a prisoner?”

“He believes such to be the case.”

“But for you I should not have had to endure the tortures I went through,” said Stolburst bitterly.

“What have I to do with it?”

“You stole that unlucky diamond.”

“I beg to differ with you.”

“Kidd actually took it, but you were in the deal with him.”

“That is not so.”