“Truly, that must be known, as all things are, to so great and wise a demon.”
That answer was a poser; for it was only reasonable that my demonship should know all things—past, present, and future. Nevertheless, after a moment’s thought, I continued, as I again rubbed the cold iron of the pistol against his neck:
“It is true that all the deeds of the wretched To-ki are known, but he must confess them aloud: so, if he would not have his bones forever rest in this cave, let him speak. For what vile purpose, besides robbery, did Huc-cuk enter the house?”
“To steal away the girl,” he replied.
“Wretch! didst thou have aught to do with the slaying of that poor girl?”
“To-ki has been a rogue,” he replied, “but his hands are not stained with blood. The girl was not slain; she is alive even now.”
What a weight was removed from my heart!
“Then,” I asked, “for what purpose did Huc-cuk take the girl from her home?”
“Alas! good Mr. Demon, thy slave knows only that Huc-cuk carried her to the foot of the Blue Mountains, where he was met by those who employed him, and into whose hands he gave her.”
“Who and what were the names of the men who received the girl from Huc-cuk?”