“Who told you this silly lie?” he demanded wrathfully.
“I was there myself. I did all I could. I couldn’t prevent her.”
Jack was silent; she glanced timidly at him, then hid her face in her hands and began to sob. But Jim, who had been staring fixedly at Zarga, now touched Jack on the elbow.
“Don’t yer worry, boss,” he whispered. “De kid is stuffin’ yer. She’s nutty on yer herself—dat’s what!”
Jack, in the tumult of his emotions, neither heard nor paid attention; the counsels of wisdom are often rejected because their source is humble. Zarga moved slowly toward the door.
“Don’t go!” said Jack huskily. “Torpeon is a clever conjurer; he deceived you as well as Miriam, I suppose. To Tor, you say?”
“Do you trust me?” she faltered.
“I’m sorry if I was rude. In thinking of my enemy I forgot my friend. I never needed friends more than now.”
“It would be my happiness to make you happy,” she said, coming closer to him. “But it’s best to know the truth. I can show them to you, if you wish!”
“Show them to me—in Tor?”