“Powerful being,” said Asgar, “we are poor exiles and know nothing of the things you speak of, whether they be animals or vegetables. But Torpeon is the author of our misfortunes, and if he has also wronged you, we may be of use to one another.”
“Now yer talkin’, an’ we gits down to brass tacks,” Jim replied with animation. “Dis geezer has swiped de gal uv a frien’ o’ mine; an’ me, I’s figgerin’ to counter on his jaw an’ do de reskoo stunt—see? Ef you ducks has de inside track mapped out, gimme de tip; an’ when I lan’s de goods, I take de gal, an’ what’s left yer stuffs in yer jeans an’ dey won’ be no come-back on it. Mebbe,” he added thoughtfully, “me line o’ talk is some too illegint fer de likes o’ you poor hoboes; but I’s doin’ me best!”
“If your grace condescends to extend protection over us, we are the slaves of your will,” rejoined Asgar, after he and Krotox had conferred for a few moments. “It is known to us that the sinful Torpeon has done this crowning outrage, and plans others, unless prevented. If you will graciously kill him you shall be king of all our country, and we, your ministers, will lay its spoils and its inhabitants at your feet.”
“Lil ol’ N’York is good enough for me, but I reco’nizes yer obligin’ sperrit,” said Jim agreeably. “We plays de Evans’s gambit, an’ I figgers to checkmate de black king in four moves. Dere’ll be glory enough fer all, an’ yer takes de rinsin’s a free gift. Ef dat’s a go, put it dere!”
He extended his hand, which Asgar and Krotox in succession humbly touched to their foreheads.
“Now kids,” Jim proceeded, “yer sees dis here kyar!” He exhibited his crutch, patting it caressingly as if it were a beautiful vehicle of the most luxurious and costly description. “We gets aboard, an’ we steers due east till we sights de stronghold uv de inimy. Nobody don’t see us—’cause why?—I turns de peg here in de neck an’ crack!—we vanishes like blowin’ out de gas in de hotel room-wid-bat’. I mounts de secret back stairs, an’ fust t’ing yer knows yer sees Torpy flyin’ out de top-story winder an’ lightin’ on his nut. Dat’s the signal fer startin’ ‘Hail to der Chief,’ an’ me and de lady appears on de battlemints, an’ waves our han’s gracious to der applaudin’ t’ousands. Dere’s mebbe some t’ings I’s left out o’ de yarn; but yer gits me drift! All you gotta do is yank off yer shirt an’ holler yer heads off, while me and de lady sings ‘Good-by, proud worl’, we’s goin’ home,’ de lights shets off an’ we sinks below de verge ter show music. Are yer on?”
“Mighty emperor, dispose of us as you will!” grunted Asgar and Krotox, bewildered into hypnosis by this rousing exhortation.
“Git astride de stick an’ come on!” Jim ordered; and the monstrous ravines and peaks of Tor sank beneath them.
CHAPTER XXII
MIRIAM
“SURE, miss,” Jenny allowed herself to say, as she set down the tea-tray before her mistress, “’tis a sight for sore eyes ye are! You seeming so natural-like, after all the signs and wonders. And the rooms and all just the same! However did it happen I don’t know. Up till you touched the bell, I says to meself, ‘Jenny, ye’re dreaming!’”