“Near Gondar, Abyssinia.”
“You are quite humorous,” remarked the detective. “Ajeeb has a worthy relative in you.”
“I suppose by this time uncle has at least removed his prisoner’s other ear.”
Burt Cromwell received this with loathing. How could so beautiful a being have so black a heart?
Zulima did not mean what she said just then. She really felt sorry for Stolburst’s hapless condition. More than once she had implored her uncle to set him free. She might as well have appealed to a stone. Ajeeb knew no pity.
Zulima now took a keen delight in appearing as a monster in feeling to the detective.
“I’ve no doubt,” said the latter, “but you would not mind joining in the torture of your former friend?”
“If Ajeeb so commanded. I know no law but his.”
“Do you mean to say you are entirely subservient to his commands?”
“Entirely so.”