As he spoke, the explorer and lecturer became pale even to the lips.
“Perhaps if I heard your story,” said Burt, “I might more readily understand whether your peril is fancied or not.”
“Would to God it were the former,” said Stolburst, and he gave a great start as he concluded speaking.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing; I only fancied I saw his greenish, snaky eyes looking into mine.”
“Whose eyes?”
“Those of Ajeeb.”
“You don’t mean the chess automaton?”
“This is no jesting matter. The eyes I speak of belong to a living creature.”
“I’m, as yet, in the dark as to this person’s identity.”