“Let the sahib have patience, while Huc-cuk consults the demons—for this question he may not answer without their permission;” and then he buried his face in his hands, and began muttering, or, rather, making strange, unearthly noises. The result was that in about five minutes, in bolder tones, he said:
“The sahib may take Huc-cuk’s worthless life; the demons forbid his answering that question.”
“Enough, then—take the consequences!” cried Martin, passionately: and he would have shot him there and then, but Prabu dexterously jerked the pistol in an upward direction.
“Your pardon, sahib, but Allah forbid that you should rob the public executioner of his fees, for already is this man’s life forfeited to the laws of Bali.” Then to the hunchback he said, “Well knowest thou this, O dog of a sorcerer and traitor!”
“Well does the miserable Huc-cuk know that the noble Prabu utters words of truth,” whined the hunchback.
“Ah!” exclaimed the captain, evidently greatly surprised, “then you know me?”
“The descendant of the illustrious patriot Surapati is known to every native-born Javan—is it possible it could be otherwise?”
“Dog!” replied he, sternly; “if thou knowest me as Prabu, and as the descendant of the great Prince, thou also knowest that I will keep my word. Thus, if thou disclosest the whereabouts of this girl, and we find her unhurt, unharmed, thou shalt be free to come and to go: if not, his Highness the Rajah shall take thee in his keeping.”
“The noble Prabu hath commanded—the miserable Huc-cuk will obey; but the words must be spoken in his ears alone, for so have the demons willed it.”
“Let us parley with the rogue no longer,” cried Martin.