“Did you carry away the diamond?” Now Zulima looked even more fixedly at her companion. Again he replied in the negative. “It was because I had a very slight doubt of your innocence that I came here,” remarked Zulima. “I am innocent.” “False friend,” said the princess, and she trembled with emotion. “I have read your heart.” Henry Stolburst gave a great start. “What have you read?” “That you lie to me!” exclaimed Zulima, rising from her chair and drawing herself up to her full height. The blood mounted to the roots of the explorer’s hair. “This from you?” he angrily cried. “Yes; I can no longer bear friendship for one who has so deeply injured my people.” “Nonsense. Haven’t I told you I did not steal the diamond?” “Yes; but your tongue spoke that which is false. Would that I could forget I ever knew you. If you would live, return that which you stole.” “I tell you I did not steal the eye of the idol.” “Then you obtained it from the thief,” she retorted. “Zulima,” said Stolburst tenderly. “I love you as I might a daughter; do not let this foolish matter break our friendship.” “I cannot forget my faith.” Stolburst saw that Ajeeb had, by working on the girl’s fear of the heathen god, completely won her. “Ajeeb means to kill me?” “You know how to save yourself,” said Zulima coldly. “But I cannot comply with his wishes,” answered Stolburst. “Then you must die.” The man laughed, but his laugh was hollow and forced. “Ajeeb seems to forget,” he said, “that he is in a civilized country. Here there are hundreds and hundreds of men to protect me. What is he and that demon Ashah against so many?” “The priests of Jobu will prevail,” said the girl. Stolburst trembled. Her words filled him with dread, for they seemed prophetic. “I go,” added Zulima, “and I never want to see you again.” She moved majestically from the apartment. Stolburst thought of leaving the country. He dismissed the idea immediately after it was conceived. No matter where he went, he believed the Abyssinians would discover him. He was too well known a character both in Europe and America to long conceal his movements from being chronicled in the newspapers. Ajeeb, he knew, was highly educated both in English and French. Moreover, the fellow had passed some years in Europe, and had even paid a long visit to New York, previous to the opening of this story. This last fact was unknown to Stolburst. More than anything else, almost, the explorer regretted the stand taken by the princess. Zulima left the hotel with a very heavy heart. She had hoped if Stolburst had the diamond he would give it up. The girl felt sure he had stolen the Eye of Jobu. Why did he not return the gem? That puzzled Zulima. Stolburst had lived long enough among her people to know that no effort would be spared to secure a return of the diamond. Surely he could not value the stone more than life.