Bull closed and locked the door. Then he seemed to instantly sober up, although he must have drunk more than a quart of whisky. Springing upon the detective, he bore him to the floor. “Frank Hare, I know you!” CHAPTER XXV. ZULIMA BREAKS DOWN. Burt Cromwell looked upon the beautiful Abyssinian in disgust when she spoke of her uncle intending to murder Henry Stolburst. “I have heard,” he said, “that savages were proverbially grateful.” “I am not a savage.” “You are worse.” “Save your taunts; they have no effect upon me.” “Has your uncle any other residence than this?” asked Burt Cromwell. “Yes.” “Where?” “Near Gondar, Abyssinia.” “You are quite humorous,” remarked the detective. “Ajeeb has a worthy relative in you.” “I suppose by this time uncle has at least removed his prisoner’s other ear.” Burt Cromwell received this with loathing. How could so beautiful a being have so black a heart? Zulima did not mean what she said just then. She really felt sorry for Stolburst’s hapless condition. More than once she had implored her uncle to set him free. She might as well have appealed to a stone. Ajeeb knew no pity. Zulima now took a keen delight in appearing as a monster in feeling to the detective. “I’ve no doubt,” said the latter, “but you would not mind joining in the torture of your former friend?” “If Ajeeb so commanded. I know no law but his.” “Do you mean to say you are entirely subservient to his commands?” “Entirely so.” “Did he give you permission to leave your own country?” “No; neither did he tell me I should not do so.” “Suppose he had done the latter?” “I should have remained in Abyssinia,” replied Zulima, giving utterance to a lie. “Do you really wish to see Henry Stolburst die?” asked the detective. The beauty broke down. Flinging herself upon a sofa, face downward, she gave way to a fit of weeping. Burt remained silent until the girl’s tears were expended. Then she arose from the sofa. “Monsieur,” she said, “I hope they will not kill their prisoner.” “You talked in quite a different strain not long ago.” “That was to tantalize you.” “Why should you tantalize me?” “I don’t know. I believe I have not been myself since I first saw my terrible uncle in New York,” she replied. “Do you really think Ajeeb has killed his prisoner?” “I know nothing about it any more than you do.” “When did you see your uncle last?” asked Burt. “Yesterday.” “Did you speak of Henry Stolburst?” “Yes; uncle said he was satisfied Henry Stolburst could not return the Eye of Jobu.” “Did he say anything further?” “Yes; he said he was tired of keeping the man a prisoner.” “He did not hint at murder?” “No.” “You don’t think he would be likely to set Henry Stolburst free?” “No; he would not do that.” “Then the only way he could rid himself of the man would be by murdering him.” “Ajeeb does not consider murder a crime,” remarked Zulima.