The Adventure MEGAPACK ®. Уильям Хоуп Ходжсон

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      In his arms Talfa lay limply. Soon she would know, and she could hardly bear the suspense. One last effort she would make, for her love’s sake. “My lord, why do we not stay here?”

      The Rajah made no answer, only strode rapidly on.

      Yet another effort she put forth. “Will you not send the men away?”

      This time she met with success. “Have no fear. Tonight is yours alone, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, oh lovely one!”

      Talfa almost laughed aloud. For her there would be no more tomorrows. When he discovered that another man had spoiled the fruit for him, she had no doubt what her fate would be, unless she could so madden him—

      They had reached the pavilion door. The Rajah turned to the slaves. “Put the torches in place and then go—all of you—and come not near until the sun shines brightly from the heavens.”

      When he had been obeyed, he carried her over the threshold. No one was in the marble summer house!

      “Praise to the Gods!” whispered Talfa, and the Rajah hearing, misunderstood, and crushed his lips on hers.

      Finally he laid her on the crimson couch and drew away the golden robe. The crimson silk brought out the whiteness of her body. She looked like a living statue as she lay before him.

      “Gods!” he cried, “but you are beautiful!” and he moved closer toward her.

      All thoughts of submission fled from Talfa. Better death than the embraces of this man. Now that Boud Ali was safe, she was no longer afraid.

      She struggled frantically. A cruel gleam came into the Rajah’s face, as he pressed her close and sought to force her to comply with his desires.

      Just when from sheer exhaustion she could fight no more, she felt the Rajah’s arms loosen their hold, and wide-eyed beheld two hands dragging him to his feet.

      Forgetful of herself, she looked up. “Gods!” she exclaimed. “The Black Adder!” For holding the Rajah’s arms tightly behind his back was a man clothed in black from head to toe with a hood over his face that had slits for eyes and mouth.

      The Rajah made a desperate struggle to free himself, but he had been caught off guard and was held by hands of iron.

      “What do you want?” he cried finally.

      Talfa covered herself with the golden robe before the Black Adder spoke. His voice was muffled by the silken hood, but there was strength in it.

      “I had sought your life, oh, Rajah of Tawnpore—your life and your jewels. But even an ‘Adder’ can be merciful!”

      “My guards will give you no mercy,” threatened the Rajah in a voice from which he tried vainly to hide his fear.

      The Black Adder laughed long and hard. “Think you I am named for nothing? Hidden in the bushes, I heard your order and I waited until the guards had surely gone. Not until the sun is high in the heavens will they come. The Rajah has spoken!”

      The ruler of Tawnpore bowed his head. When he finally raised it, he spoke shakily, “Your price?”

      The black head leaned over close to the Rajah’s. Through the silk, Talfa sensed his eyes upon her and drew her robe closer together over her heaving bosoms.

      “I have no price,” said the Black Adder. “Yet once I will be merciful. Here, you!” he called to the girl, “tear silken strands from those curtains so that I can bind this man!”

      Talfa obeyed silently.

      “How dare you?” cried the Rajah.

      “Better being bound than dead. I will leave you here on yonder couch and your slaves will release you in the morning. Then you can tell them the Black Adder knows how to be kind.”

      The Rajah said nothing. Talfa brought the strip of silk to the bandit and under his direction helped to tie the Rajah’s hands behind his back.

      The Black Adder stretched his arms. “I am afraid,” he said softly, “I must rob you of your pearls; and the Ruby of Tawnpore, which I have long envied, will now be mine.”

      Swiftly he stripped the Rajah of his jewels, which in truth were worth a king’s ransom. Working fast, he tied the ruler of Tawnpore securely and laid him on the couch. He bound his body fast about with the crimson silk; then he stuffed a gag into the ruler’s mouth and made it fast.

      As he finished, Talfa tried to steal toward the doorway and freedom, but swifter than the snake for whom he was named, the man caught her wrist. “Not so—you who are the brightest jewel of all, come with me!”

      “No, no!” shrieked Talfa, as he lifted her in his arms.

      “Will you come quietly?” he snarled. “Or must I silence you, too?”

      Talfa made a gesture of assent. “I have no choice,” she whispered.

      As he carried her out of the marble summer house that had given her such joy and such misery, Talfa reflected that perhaps it was better this way. At least she was free from the Rajah, and Boud Ali was safe. Perhaps when the Black Adder tired of her, he would set her free; or failing that, if she could find a knife—a strange sense of helplessness descended upon her.

      She was conscious that the Black Adder carried her through a low doorway, for he stooped slightly. On the other side were men and horses. A man held her while the bandit mounted an animal as black as himself. Then he leaned over and threw a dark cloak over the Rajah’s golden one. She was then lifted up into his arms, and she heard him give the order to ride—and the company moved forth into the night.

      They stopped only once, at the outer gates of the palace. Here a paper was given the guards, who let them pass at once. Talfa could see nothing, as the Black Adder had thrown part of the cloak over her head, but she could hear the rustle of the paper.

      For a long time they rode furiously. Talfa lost track of time. The swift motion of the horse and the strength of the arms that held her were her last conscious recollections, as she sank into the deep sleep that only comes with exhaustion.

      * * * *

      It was light when she opened her eyes. Through the folds of the cloak she could see the sun’s rays. She stirred a little.

      “Beloved, I thought you would never open your eyes,” a well-known voice vibrated in her ears.

      Talfa sank back, thinking she dreamed. The cloak was pulled off. The sudden light after the darkness made her blink.

      Presently her eyes became accustomed to the light, and she looked up at her captor.

      “Boud Ali!” she cried, and touched his smooth face with her hand to see if he were real.

      “My little love,” he murmured. Then, bending over without slackening his horse’s gait, he kissed her fiercely.

      Presently they came back to earth. “But how?” asked Talfa. “Where is the Black Adder?”

      Boud Ali’s free hand dangled СКАЧАТЬ