“Max Graub!”
“Of what nationality, Pasquin Leroy?”
Leroy smiled. “Truly I claim none!” he said; “I was born a slave.”
“A slave!”
The words were repeated in tones of astonishment round the room.
“Why, yes, a slave!” repeated Leroy quietly. “You have heard of black slaves,—have you not heard of white ones too? There are countries still, where men purchase other men of their own blood and colour;—tyrannous governments, which force such men to work for them, chained to one particular place till they die. I am one of those,—though escaped for the present. You can ask me more of my country if you will; but a slave has no country save that of his master. If you care at all for my services, you will spare me further examination on this subject!”
Zegota looked enquiringly at Thord.
“We will pass that question,” said the latter, in a low tone.
Zegota resumed—
“You, Axel Regor—are you a slave too?”