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| 2017/07/11 11:36:07瀏覽61｜回應0｜推薦0 | |
| Tadros returned to his duties in a very thoughtful mood. In playing upon his fears, Kāra had overreached himself, and made the dragoman so much afraid that he believed his life hung by a thread. Therefore, he sought most earnestly for a way of escape from the thrall of his terrible countryman. The following morning Gerald Winston, on leaving Mrs. Everingham after a conference concerning their plans, met Tadros face to face in the corridor of the hotel. He recognized the man at once as Kāra’s dragoman and confidential servant. Moreover, he suspected that the fellow had just come from the Consinor apartments; so he had no hesitation in accosting him. May I speak with you a moment in private?” he asked. Most certainly, sir.” Winston led the way into Mrs. Everingham’s drawing-room, where the lady greeted his return with surprise, but a quick appreciation of the importance of securing an interview with Kāra’s confidant. You are Prince Kāra’s dragoman, I believe?” began the Englishman. Yes, Winston Bey.” And devoted to him personally, of course?” To an extent, naturally,” returned Tadros, hesitating what to say. You see, he pays me liberally.”{211} Winston and Mrs. Everingham exchanged glances. Then the lady took up the conversation. Prince Kāra,” she said, in a stern tone, is a scoundrel, being even now engaged in perfecting one of the most diabolical plots the mind of man has ever conceived.” Tadros did not reply. It was not his business to deny the charge. Our desire and intention to defeat this plot,” she continued, lead us to speak to you frankly. We must save Miss Consinor from an ignoble alliance with your master.” Tadros listened carefully. To accomplish our purpose, we are willing to expend a great deal of money—enough to make some faithful ally comfortable for the remainder of his life.” A pause followed this significant statement. Tadros felt the effect of their scrutinizing glances, and cleared his throat while he looked swiftly around to make sure they could not be overheard. Then, reassured, he answered with his native bluntness of speech. I am willing to earn this money,” said he, if you will show me how to do it with safety. Kāra is a fiend. He would not hesitate to kill all three of us if he had reason to suspect we were plotting against him.” I will give you a thousand pounds,” said Winston, if you will tell us what you know of Kāra’s plans. I will give you two thousand pounds additional if we succeed in saving Miss Consinor.”{212} Tadros was pleased. He had intended to break with Kāra anyway. To be well paid for doing this was a stroke of good fortune. I accept your offer,” he replied. But I must inform you that there is no time to be lost. I have just taken a message to Miss Consinor, telling her to be ready to go to Kāra at nine o’clock this evening.” This evening!” exclaimed Winston, alarmed. And what was her reply?” |
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| ( 心情隨筆｜心情日記 ) |
