He took no notice of her seeming repugnance, but smiled, and in the act showed his rows of shining teeth. He rubbed out the words he had written, and quickly pencilled these others:— “Do you wish me to be a friend or foe, fair one?” “A friend,” said Ellen, trembling. He placed before her the tablet again, and she read— “I _will_ be a friend to you, and a true one, on a single condition.” The girl’s blood almost curdled in her veins as she read what he had hastily scribbled, for she now trembled for her honour and chastity. “Name your condition,” she gasped. “Can you, _will_ you keep a secret?” he wrote. “I _will_,” she answered. “On your life and honour?” he wrote again. “Yes, on my life and honour,” she answered, firmly, for a moment feeling re-assured by his change of manner. He now wrote on the tablet. “I am the slave of Colonel Blood; they call me Sinbad, and am supposed even by my master to be both deaf and dumb; but I am not.” “Not deaf and dumb?” she answered. “Then you knew the sounds of the bell I rang?” “I heard it,” he whispered, “and knew its meaning.” “My meaning?” she asked. “Yes; and my master’s also, for he left word with his confidential valet that directly you rang he should be summoned.” “For what purpose?” “That I will afterwards explain. I knew that you had been abducted, and that when you had fully recovered from the drugs administered to you last night on the way hither you would ring the chamber bell. “This bell I watched,” said the Nubian, “and muffled it in order that I might know when you had awoke from slumber, and forewarn you of all that is to happen to you this day.” “Happen?” said Ellen. “Yes, maiden; look not surprised, you are not the first fair victim who has fallen into the treacherous fangs of my master, Colonel Blood.” “For what purpose, then, was I brought hither? I have never harmed any one. What crime am I guilty of?” “Your beauty is your only crime,” the Nubian whispered. “He has brought you hither as a fair one who may be dishonoured, and, thereafter, for a time pander to the lusts of the king, his master.” “Impossible!” Ellen gasped. “Nay, ’tis true; but, remember, I have fore-warned you, and if you do but keep your promise I will be your friend; in helping you I seek my own revenge. I cannot tell you the horrid indignity which I have suffered at my master’s hands, but you may perhaps at some time learn it. In case you should need it, take this dagger; conceal it in your fair bosom. But, hark! I hear some one approaching!” As quick as thought the Nubian crawled beneath the bed and listened. ’Twas Colonel Blood who stood at the door! CHAPTER XVIII. IN WHICH CAPTAIN JACK MAKES AN UNEXPECTED CALL AT MIDNIGHT. Phillip Redgill was by far too weak from his recent wound to keep his appointment with Captain Jack at the “Cat and Bagpipes” over the water, and therefore remained at home in his own snug apartments, surrounded as he was by every luxury and convenience.