Israel's face quivered, and he seemed to be about to protest, but he only drew a longer breath, and said again, “As you will, Basha.”
Ben Aboo's voice gathered vehemence at every fresh question. “Where is your money?” he cried; “the money that you have made out of my service—out of me—my money—where is it?”
“Nowhere,” said Israel.
“It's a lie—another lie!” cried Ben Aboo. “Oh yes, I've heard of your charities, master. They were meant to buy over my people, were they? Were they? Were they, I ask?”
“So you say, Basha,” said Israel.
“So I know!” cried Ben Aboo; “but all you had is not gone that way. You're a fool, but not fool enough for that! Give up your keys—the keys of your house!”
Israel hesitated, and then said, “Let me return for a minute—it is all I ask.”
At that the woman laughed hysterically. “Ah! he has something left after all!” she cried.
Israel turned his slow eyes upon her, and said, “Yes, madam, I have something left—after all.”
Paying no heed to the reply, Katrina cried to Ben Aboo again, saying, “El Arby, make him give up the key of that house. He has treasure there!”