Let us follow the movements of the would-be a.s.sa.s.sin.
The secret of his sudden disappearance was really no great mystery after all.
Darting round the first corner so as to put a house between himself and Jack"s pistol, he found himself suddenly seized by a vigorous hand, and dragged through an open doorway.
"Let go," hissed the a.s.sa.s.sin, fiercely, "or----"
He raised his long-bladed knife to strike, but before he could bring his arm down, the dagger was beaten from his grasp.
"Now," said the stranger planting his foot firmly upon the knife, "listen to me."
"You speak English," said the a.s.sa.s.sin, in surprise.
"Because you spoke English to me," was the reply; "until then, I took you for one of us."
"What do you want with me?" demanded the Englishman, doggedly.
"Not much," returned the other, speaking with great fluency, although his foreign accent was strongly marked. "I have saved you from the consequences of your failure. Had my friendly hand not been there to drag you out of sight, your young countryman would have shot you."
"Well," returned the a.s.sa.s.sin, surlily, "I owe you my thanks, and----"
"Stop--tell me would you like to succeed in this in spite of your late failure?"
"Yes."
"Then I will give you a safe and sure method."
"My eternal thanks," began the foiled ruffian.
The stranger interrupted him.
"Reserve your thanks. Tell me what you can offer if I help you."
"Money!"
"How much will you give to see your enemy removed from your path?"
"I will give a good round sum," returned the Englishman, eagerly.
"Name a sum."
He did.
A good round sum it was too.
"Now, then," said the Turk, producing a small phial containing a pale greenish fluid. "Observe this."
"Well?"
"Anoint your dagger with this. Scratch him with it; let your scratch be no more than the p.r.i.c.k of a pin, and he will be beyond the aid of mortal man."
"Is this sure?"
"Beyond all doubt. Would you have proof?"
"Yes."
"Wait here a moment."
The Turk left the room, and presently he appeared carrying a small iron cage.
"Look."
He held up the cage, and showed that it contained two large rats.
"Now," said he, "remove the stopper and dip your dagger"s point in."
The Englishman obeyed.
"Now, p.r.i.c.k either of the rats ever so slightly."
The Englishman pushed the point of the dagger through the bars of the cage, and one of the rats came to sniff at it--probably antic.i.p.ating a savoury t.i.t-bit to eat.
Moving the dagger slightly, it barely grazed the rat"s nose.
But it sufficed.
The poor beast shivered once, and sank dead.
"What do you say now?" demanded the Turk.
"I am satisfied," replied the Englishman.
"Now, before you go," said the Turk, "I will give you a hint. The slightest scratch will suffice, as you see."
"Yes."
"Dip two ordinary pins in the poison, and send them by letter to your enemy. Place them so that in opening the envelope, he will probably scratch his finger."
The Englishman"s eyes sparkled viciously.
"I will, I will."
"Let me know the result, and should you want my aid, you will note well the house on leaving so as to know where to return."
"Yes. What is your name?" demanded the Englishman.
"Hadji Nasir Ali," was the reply; "and yours?"