"Dear me, no!" exclaimed the landlady, with a mute yet visible laugh—visible in that her convolutions of flesh became observably agitated. "Not the first word, sir. He talks only a blooming jargon fit for snakes and spiders and that like."
Nick laughed agreeably, having a request on his tongue's end.
"He has moved his beastly den o' reptiles into my cellar to stay till next season, sir, a 'orror I'd not stand for a minute, so I wouldn't, only he pays me very 'andsome for the same."
"Then he intends remaining here all summer, does he?"
"He do," replied the woman, with startling terseness after the foregoing.
"I wish to see him briefly on business," said Nick. "Go and ask him if he will receive us."
The landlady complied, returning presently and inviting the two detectives into the house. She led the way to a rear room off the hall, at the door of which stood a swarthy foreigner, who bowed and smiled as the callers approached.
"'E's the hinterpreter," vouchsafed the landlady, in a wheezy whisper.
Nick nodded understandingly.
Reading by the light of a lamp on a table in the room sat the Hindoo snake charmer himself, clad in a rich, loose robe of Oriental fashion. He arose with much deliberation and dignity when the detectives entered, and gravely bowed in greeting, while his interpreter hastened to place chairs for the visitors.