"This is an evil spot," said he; "at the bottom of the water is a heap of human heads."
"I know it," said the odalisk calmly.
The eunuch was puzzled. He gazed up at her, and was astounded to observe that in the place of the sensitive, supplicating figure so lately there, there now stood a haughty, awe-inspiring woman, who looked down upon him like a queen.
"Those heads there are the heads of thy comrades," said Azrael to the astounded eunuch, "whom last night and the preceding nights I asked to do me a service, which they refused to do. Next day I accused them to the governor and he instantly had their heads cut off without letting them speak."
"And what service didst thou require?"
"To swim to the opposite shore and give this bunch of flowers to that youth yonder."
"Ha! thou art a traitor."
"No such thing. All I ask of thee is this: dost thou hear those songs in that grove yonder? Very well, swim thither and give him this posy. If thou dost not, thy head also will be under the water among the heap of the others. But if thou dost oblige me I will make thee rich for the remainder of thy life. It is in thine own power to choose whether thou wilt live happily or die miserably."
"But I have a third choice, and that is to kill thee," cried the eunuch, gnashing his teeth.
Azrael laughed.