“Perhaps if I heard your story,” said Burt, “I might more readily understand whether your peril is fancied or not.” “Would to God it were the former,” said Stolburst, and he gave a great start as he concluded speaking. “What’s the matter?” “Nothing; I only fancied I saw his greenish, snaky eyes looking into mine.” “Whose eyes?” “Those of Ajeeb.” “You don’t mean the chess automaton?” “This is no jesting matter. The eyes I speak of belong to a living creature.” “I’m, as yet, in the dark as to this person’s identity.” “Let me tell you there is in Abyssinia an order known as that of the Blue Nile. It is secretly abetted by the priests, and even the king, who fears it, is a member. This society is ruled by religious fanatics, to whom murder is simply a pastime. The Order of the Blue Nile has command of almost untold riches. “I incurred the anger of these men, and they have sent right here to this country some of their members, I know not how many, to strike me down.” “You have not said a single word about this Ajeeb,” remarked the detective. “He is in New York.” “Is he any more to be feared than the others?” asked Burt. “Ajeeb is the head of the society,” replied the traveler. “You have seen him?” “How else would I know that he is in this city? He visited me this morning.” “Did he threaten you?” A sad smile passed over the face of the man who had so often faced death in many forms. “No,” he replied, “it was not necessary to threaten me; I know what his pursuit of me means.” “Tell me all about it, and then I may discover a way to circumvent your enemies.” “First, I wish you to promise not to disclose any revelations I shall make now or at any other time.” “Willingly.” “Well,” said the traveler, “in a jungle near the city of Gondar, which is the chief and capital city of Abyssinia, stands a temple, the existence of which is known to few outside the members of this Order of the Blue Nile. In this temple is an immense wooden idol named Jobu. I never saw a more hideous-looking object than this same idol. His followers say Jobu is over a thousand years old. “According to their belief, one day or another this monstrosity will be endowed with life, and help his devotees to capture all Africa. “No European is allowed to gaze upon this idol, in front of whom a fire of perfumed herbs is kept burning night and day. The richest garments and jewels cover the inanimate Jobu. I saw the idol by bribing one of his watchers, for, mind you, Jobu has quite a suite of servants. “In some way or another the high priest, Ajeeb, heard of the watcher’s infidelity. They have but one manner of punishing their unfortunate victims. “They are slowly tortured to death!” Stolburst shivered from head to foot as he finished. “Why,” said the detective, “they cannot possibly desire to put you to death simply because you gazed upon their idol?” “No.” “Other Europeans beside you must have seen Jobu.”