Jim, too, was in league with our own maids to search everywhere for the ju-ju. Isn’t it odd that you can’t trust your fellow-mortals? Dan, or Bob, or Tib would die sooner than play the sneak; even that sarcastic old parrot would never betray the Gang, and little Rikki, though he is a newcomer, is with us tooth and nail. Anyhow, what between Schwartz and the servants inside, and Prince John and his tribesman outside, I made up my mind to act a bit sooner than I intended. Perhaps the ju-ju egged me on also. You never can tell. The mysteries of fetish-worship are beyond me.
Of course, I kept Jim’s appointment with the African Prince. It was nearly dark when I crossed the green, and there were four negroes standing in the road near the Manor gate. They were all much of a size, and I thought I should not be able to recognize the man who came to our house. But I spotted him at once. There must be something in being born a ruler, even a savage one. Prince John was quite different to the others in his manners and appearance. I was sorry he wore English clothes. It would have been fine if he were stalking about in feathers and a leopard skin, though I expect, poor fellow, he would have caught his death of cold.
The four paid no heed to me until I stopped and said “Hello!”
That made them look at me, and Prince John said: “Have you a message for me?”
He thought I was some girl from the village, but I quickly put him right on that point.
“Yes,” I answered. “Come here. I wish to speak to you alone.”
Then he knew me, as he had heard me talking to Dad on our way from the station in the victoria. He advanced a few steps.
“Oh,” he said, “one of Mr. Grosvenor’s daughters? I remember. My ankle is still stiff where you held it. You must have strong hands, for a child. Now, what can I do for you? Have you brought me what I seek?”
He spoke as if he were a king, not a bit like the affected drawl of our local M.P. when he opens a bazaar, but it was necessary that I should make him jump, so I replied, rather off-handedly:
“It all depends on the price you are willing to pay.”