And
although the door was closed too soon for us actually to see him,
we are convinced that he is the person we seek."
"I think you are mistaken," said Zahara coolly. "But what do you
want him for?"
As she uttered the words she realized that even the memory of
Grantham was sufficient to cause her to betray herself. She had
betrayed her interest to the man himself, and now she had
betrayed it to this dark-faced stranger whose manner was so
mysterious. The Spaniard recognized the fact, and, unlike
Grantham, acted upon it promptly.
"He has taken away the wife of another, Senorita," he said
simply, and watched her as he spoke the lie.
She listened in silence, wide-eyed. Her lower lip twitched, and
she bit it fiercely.
"He went first to Port Said and then came to London with this
woman," continued the Spaniard remorselessly. "We come from her
husband to ask her to return. Yes, he will forgive her--or he
offers her freedom."
Rapidly but comprehensively the speaker's bold glance travelled
over Zahara, from her golden head to her tiny embroidered shoes.
"If you can help us in this matter it will be worth fifty English
pounds to you," he concluded.
Zahara was breathing rapidly. The fatal hatred which she had
sought to stifle gained a new vitality.
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