The following morning Gerald Winston, on leaving Mrs. Everingham after a conference concerning their plans, met Tadros face to face in the corridor of the hotel. He recognized the man at once as Kāra’s dragoman and confidential servant. Moreover, he suspected that the fellow had just come from the Consinor apartments; so he had no hesitation in accosting him.
“May I speak with you a moment in private?” he asked.
“Most certainly, sir.”
Winston led the way into Mrs. Everingham’s drawing-room, where the lady greeted his return with surprise, but a quick appreciation of the importance of securing an interview with Kāra’s confidant.
“You are Prince Kāra’s dragoman, I believe?” began the Englishman.
“Yes, Winston Bey.”
“And devoted to him personally, of course?”
“To an extent, naturally,” returned Tadros, hesitating what to say. “You see, he pays me liberally.”
Winston and Mrs. Everingham exchanged glances. Then the lady took up the conversation.
“Prince Kāra,” she said, in a stern tone, “is a scoundrel, being even now engaged in perfecting one of the most diabolical plots the mind of man has ever conceived.”