“It is given to me the power to read men’s minds. Again I declare you speak false. My false friend would never give up the diamond.” “You admit you long regarded Stolburst as a friend?” “Yes; did he not show me how great the world is?” “You do not intend to return to Abyssinia?” said Burt. “Not for years, at least.” “Then why do you sacrifice the friendship of this gentleman because he may have had something to do with the desecration of a heathen shrine?” “Because I am true to my faith, if not to my people.” Burt wondered that, with all the opportunities Stolburst had, he did not succeed in converting the princess to Christianity. “My dear madame,” said Burt, “I feel satisfied I shall recover this diamond, and I promise it will be returned, unless harm has come to Henry Stolburst.” Had harm come to her late friend? That was the question the girl asked herself. The thought caused her to shudder. If Stolburst was in Ajeeb’s power, and was, as the detective stated, unable to return the Eye of Jobu, what might not have happened? She knew her uncle’s heart could not be moved by pity, and she also felt sure he would not credit the story that the explorer had been robbed. Zulima felt herself in great measure responsible for Stolburst’s safety. But, then, she dare not tell the detective where her uncle could be found. “I am sure,” she said, “that, beyond giving him a fright, Ajeeb would not injure Mr. Stolburst.” “You have seen Ajeeb?” “Is he not my uncle? What could be more natural than that he should visit me?” returned Zulima. “Did you ever visit him?” “Yes.” “Where does he live?” The girl smiled. “Monsieur forgets I am a stranger here. I only know that his house is of stone, and is one of a row.” Zulima spoke the truth. “You could not find the house again?” asked the detective. “I went there when it was night,” was the evasive reply. “When your uncle visited you, did he make threats against Stolburst?” “He was very angry that the gentleman should have assisted me to leave my country.” “That is not a direct answer to my question,” said Burt. “I don’t remember whether he made any threats. I should not be surprised if he did. Uncle is quite given to making threats.” “Does he ever carry a threat out?” Burt looked steadfastly into the girl’s eyes. She did not betray emotion, if she felt any. “I have no means of knowing,” she said. “In our country, the men never take women into their council.” The princess was very beautiful, but Burt believed her a trained prevaricator, for all that. Nothing was to be gained from her, as was evident, at that stage of the proceedings. If he had known the treatment to which Stolburst had been subjected, Burt would have arrested the princess as an accomplice of Ajeeb. “Madame,” he said, taking his leave, “we shall meet again; and, if anything befalls Mr. Stolburst, I shall hold you responsible.”