“I read in this paper of a sailor being killed,” said the Jew, holding it up. “Have you ever heard of the police, of prison, and of the hangman?”
“All of them,” said the other softly.
“I might be able to put the hangman on the track of the sailor’s murderer,” continued the Jew grimly.
The brown man smiled and shook his head. “You are too good a merchant,” he said; “besides, it would be very difficult.”
“It would be a pleasure to me,” said the Jew.
“Let us talk business like men, not nonsense like children,” said the brown man suddenly. “You talk of hangmen. I talk of death. Well, listen. Two nights ago you bought a diamond from a sailor for five hundred pounds. Unless you give me that diamond back for the same money I will kill you.”
“What?” snarled the Jew, drawing his gaunt figure to its full height. “You, you miserable mummy?”
“I will kill you,” repeated the brown man calmly. “I will send death to you—death in a horrible shape. I will send a devil, a little artful, teasing devil, to worry you and kill you. In the darkness he will come and spring out on you. You had better give back the diamond, and live. If you give it back I promise you your life.”
He paused, and the Jew noticed that his face had changed, and in place of the sardonic good-humor which had before possessed it, was now distorted by a devilish malice. His eyes gleamed coldly, and he snapped them quickly as he spoke.
“Well, what do you say?” he demanded.