Now, as a wandering taxi came into view: "Inez!" he moaned--"I
never knew."
That brother whom he had counted a myth had succeeded in getting
on board the transport. Before Grantham's inner vision the whole
dreadful scene now was reenacted: the struggle in the stateroom;
he even seemed to hear the sound of the shot, to see the
Spaniard, drenched with blood from a wound in his forehead, to
hear his cry:
"I cannot see! I cannot see! Mother of Mercy! I have lost my
sight!"
It had broken Grantham. The scandal was hushed up, but
retirement was inevitable. He knew, too, that the light had gone
out of the world for him as it had gone for Miguel da Mura.
It is sometimes thus that a scallywag is made.
IV
THE STAR OF EGYPT
As Grantham went out by the side door, Hassan, soft of foot,
appeared. Crossing to the main door he opened it and walked down
the narrow corridor beyond. Presently came the tap, tap, tap of
a stick and a sound of muttered conversation in some place below.
Hassan reentered and went in through the curtained doorway to
summon Agapoulos. Agapoulos was dressing and would not be
disturbed. Hassan went back to those who waited, but ere long
returned again chattering volubly to himself.
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