Ajeeb’s brow darkened. His steely eyes glittered dangerously as he glanced at his English friend. He felt that he could but ill afford to lose Billy’s help. The latter was more or less acquainted among the thieving fraternity of New York, and might be able to help him recover the Eye of Jobu.
It was particularly galling to Ajeeb to have Barry speak of deserting him. The heathen priest had been so long accustomed to command that he expected deference to his wishes from all.
“My friend,” said the Abyssinian, “have I not always treated you right?”
“Yes; but I’ll take my oath you won’t make me a murderer!”
“I have not asked you to kill any one,” remarked Ajeeb.
“It amounts to the same thing. I duped Stolburst so that his capture became easy.”
“Well?”
“That makes me an accomplice, in the eyes of the law, to anything that may befall the man while he is in your power.”
“No outsider knows you helped to kidnap him,” said Ajeeb.
“Neither does any outsider know you had one of the poor devil’s ears cut off; but it will come to light some day.”