Stolburst walked slowly up and down.
Crunch!
A heavy blow was struck him with a piece of iron pipe from behind. He fell inanimate to the pavement.
It was hours afterward when Stolburst regained consciousness. Then he found himself in a room without windows that was hung on all four sides with very brilliant red curtains. In the middle of the room, and underneath a chandelier, stood an Abyssinian, dressed in the garb of his country.
Stolburst rubbed his eyes. For a moment he believed himself back in Africa. Then, with a rush, everything came to him.
“Trapped like a fool!” he muttered.
The Abyssinian he recognized as one of Ajeeb’s familiars.
“Deth,” said the prisoner, “how came I here?”
The man did not answer.
Stolburst saw that the fellow was armed with a short and heavy sword.