A Prince of Swindlers. Guy Boothby

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СКАЧАТЬ little towards her again, and patted her affectionately upon the hand.

      "Then we shall see what we shall see," he said, "I don't think you will find me ungrateful."

      She shook her pretty head.

      "It is good talk," she cried, "but it means nothing. You always say the same. How am I to know that you will not learn to love one of the white memsahibs when you are so much among them?"

      "Because there is but one Trincomalee Liz," he answered; "and for that reason you need have no fear."

      Her face expressed the doubt with which she received this assertion. As she had said, it was not the first time she had been cajoled into advancing him large sums with the same assurance. He knew this, and, lest she should alter her mind, prepared to change the subject.

      "Besides the others, I must take Hiram Singh and Wajib Baksh. They are in Calcutta, I am told, and I must communicate with them before noon to-morrow. They are the most expert craftsmen in India, and I shall have need of them."

      "I will have them found, and word shall be sent to you."

      "Could I not meet them here?"

      "Nay, it is impossible. I shall not be here myself. I leave for Madras within six hours."

      "Is there, then, trouble toward?"

      She smiled, and spread her hands apart with a gesture that said: "Who knows?"

      He did not question her further, but after a little conversation on the subject of the money, rose to bid her farewell.

      "I do not like this idea," she said, standing before him and looking him in the face. "It is too dangerous. Why should you run such risk? Let us go to Burma. You shall be my vizier."

      "I would wish for nothing better," he said, "were it not that I am resolved to go to England. My mind is set upon it and when I have done, London shall have something to talk about for years to come."

      "If you are determined, I will say no more," she answered; "but when it is over, and you are free, we will talk again."

      "You will not forget about the money?" he asked anxiously.

      She stamped her foot.

      "Money, money, money," she cried. "It is always the money of which you think. But you shall have it, never fear. And now when shall I see you again?"

      "In six months' time at a place of which I will tell you beforehand."

      "It is a long time to wait."

      "There is a necklace worth five lacs to pay you for the waiting."

      "Then I will be patient. Good-bye."

      "Good-bye, little friend," he said. And then, as if he thought he had not said enough, he added: "Think sometimes of Simon Carne."

      She promised, with many pretty speeches, to do so, after which he left the room and went downstairs. As he reached the bottom step he heard a cough in the dark above him and looked up. He could just distinguish Liz leaning over the rail. Then something dropped and rattled upon the wooden steps behind him. He picked it up to find that it was an antique ring set with rubies.

      "Wear it that it may bring thee luck," she cried, and then disappeared again.

      He put the present on his finger and went out into the dark square.

      "The money is found," he said, as he looked up at the starlit heavens. "Hiram Singh and Wajib Baksh are to be discovered before noon to-morrow. His Excellency the Viceroy and his amiable lady have promised to stand sponsors for me in London society. If with these advantages I don't succeed, well, all I can say is, I don't deserve to. Now where is my Babuji?"

      Almost at the same instant a figure appeared from the shadow of the building and approached him.

      "If the Sahib will permit me, I will guide him by a short road to his hotel."

      "Lead on then. I am tired, and it is time I was in bed." Then to himself he added: "I must sleep to-night, for to-morrow there are great things toward."

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