“How is that?”
“I was to send for you.”
“I see,” exclaimed Stolburst, in mingled anger and surprise; “your uncle has turned you against me.”
“I only owe you protection; if your services have a price, name it, and I shall pay.”
Zulima took a rather heavy purse from her pocket. Stolburst insisted upon her putting up the money, and she complied.
“Tell me,” said the dark-skinned princess, “did you steal the Eye of Jobu?”
Her look seemed to her companion to pierce him through and through.
“No.”
The explorer spoke with all the firmness he could command. There was an undefinable something about the girl that seemed to daze his faculties.
Was she a mesmerist?