IN AJEEB’S CLUTCHES. “Release me!” exclaimed Cook, trembling with fright. “Oh, no.” Enoch drew his revolver, only to have it snatched from his grasp. “What do you mean?” Ashah’s hand had closed on Cook’s coat collar. The latter tried to break away, but did not succeed. “I do not mean to harm you,” remarked the Abyssinian. At this Enoch ceased to struggle. “Then why do you not release me?” “I would have a few words with you first,” replied Ashah. The Abyssinian spoke in easy tones, but that did not set Cook at ease. “Who are you?” Ashah smiled at the question. “Don’t you remember ever having seen me before?” he said. “No.” “Your name is Henry?” “My name is Cook.” “Just so; but I knew you as Henry.” “I never went by that name.” “Did you ever cross the ocean?” “Never.” “Can it be I am mistaken?” “You certainly are, if you think you ever met me before.” Enoch began to pluck up courage. “I have a remarkable memory for faces and names.” “You err now, then.” “Perhaps I do; excuse me.” Ashah released his hold on Cook’s collar. The latter turned to go away. As he did so, the Abyssinian struck him on the back of the neck with all his strength. Enoch fell insensible to the pavement. When he recovered consciousness, he found himself in a handsomely furnished parlor, and in the presence of Ajeeb and a man he did not know. The latter was Billy Barry. Ajeeb commanded Cook to be seated, and the latter obeyed. “Dog,” exclaimed the Abyssinian, “why did you shadow my footsteps?” “I did not follow you.” “Do not lie to me.” “I’m speaking the truth.” “I believe, Henry, or Cook, as you now call yourself, that we have met before.” “I never saw you before.” Enoch’s glance sought the floor as he spoke. Ajeeb laughed. “You do not know one Henry Stolburst?” he said. “No.” The Abyssinian sprang upon Enoch, and grasped him by the throat. “How dare you lie to me?” Barry pulled the high priest away. “Well,” said Cook, “suppose I do know Henry Stolburst?” “You admit knowing him?” “Yes,” replied Enoch, making an immediate change of tactics. “You were in his employ?” “Yes.” “Did you ever see in his possession a wondrous diamond of greenish hue?” “I did.” “You have become very candid.” “I have no right to answer you, but I don’t mind doing so.” Ajeeb smiled. “I guess,” he said, “I could discover a way to make you talk. Now, what became of that diamond? If you can help me find it, I will make you rich for life.” “It was never in my possession.” “Did not your fellow servant steal it?” “So Stolburst claimed.” “You ran away in company with Kidd,” remarked the Abyssinian. “Yes.” “Did he have the diamond?” Cook hesitated. Finally he answered in the affirmative. “Ajeeb,” said Barry, “now, you see, that poor devil Stolburst told you truth.” “Suppose he did?” “Then you punished him unnecessarily,” replied Billy. “Oh, no; it was he who stole the Eye of Jobu from the temple.”