“If the fellow becomes too troublesome,” said Kidd, “I’ll give him a taste of cold steel.” “No.” “Why not?” “I won’t have you attempt anything of that kind.” “Are you dead stuck on your old schoolmate?” “No; I never liked him.” “Then why do you display so much interest in his personal safety?” “It is your safety I am interested in,” smiled Enoch. “I guess I am able to paddle against this fellow and win.” “Go ahead; I won’t attempt to force advice upon you.” “Now,” said Kidd, “I have one greater to fear than the detective.” “Who?” “Guess who I saw to-day?” “Give it up.” “Ajeeb, the head ‘cocalorum’ of the temple of Jobu, and you can bet he is onto Henry Stolburst. Next he’ll get onto us, and then there will be music.” CHAPTER VI. AJEEB’S NEW ALLY. “Zulima,” said the giant Ashah, “it is well for you that you remain true to your faith.” “Why?” “Sooner than have you become a heretic, Ajeeb would have me spoil that beautiful voice of yours. That would have been very hard on me, princess, for I always liked you; still, I should have obeyed my master, even unto sacrificing my own child.” “What do you mean by spoiling my voice?” the girl asked. “Without the tongue, we could not speak, much less sing.” “True, Ashah.” “The good Ajeeb would have had me pluck out your tongue!” Zulima was horrified. “Surely, uncle would not have gone that far?” she said. “Aye.” “I go this way.” The princess was about to turn a corner. “Nay; you must go with me,” remarked the giant. “Where?” “To where Ajeeb awaits us.” “He surely does not expect a visit from me. I saw him once to-day.” “He told me if you visited the American’s hotel, I was to conduct you into his presence.” “You can return and say I did not leave my home.” Ashah started with surprise. “What!” he cried; “would you have me try to deceive the high priest?” “There will be no harm done,” answered the princess. “I would give up this worthless life of mine sooner. How could I ever look Ajeeb in the face again if I told him a lie?” “Nonsense! You can’t make me believe you never told a lie!” “True, I have told many, but never one to Ajeeb. Come, let us hurry.” Much against her inclination, Zulima accompanied the giant. Ashah had only been a short period in New York, but he seemed to know the streets in that section of the city. Their journey ended at a handsome house on Forty-third Street. In answer to Ashah’s ring, the door was opened by Ajeeb in person. The latter’s face was clouded, and he bestowed a fierce glance upon the princess. “So,” he said, taking hold of her arm savagely, “you are false to us!” “No, uncle.” Ashah ascended to the second story, and the others entered a very elegantly appointed parlor. “You visited Stolburst?” “Yes.” “And told him I meant to kill him?” growled Ajeeb. “True; you had already threatened him with death yourself.” “I suppose you also counseled him to fly, Zulima?”