Part 14 (1/2)
As twenty-four hours later Aylmer climbed the steps from the water's edge to the pierhead of Tangier, a red fez was doffed from a close-cropped skull and out of a little crowd of hotel touts a Moor saluted with a welcoming smile.
”A pleasant surprise, Sidi,” he remarked affably. ”There is no hunt abroad to-day.”
Aylmer shook his head gravely.
”Not in thy meaning, Daoud,” he answered. He moved closer to him. ”A Spanish boat--the _Miramar_ came in at dawn?” he questioned.
The Moor hesitated and then turned to shout to a companion. The man answered with a laconic affirmative.
Daoud nodded.
”Yes, Sidi. She came in. As you see, she has gone again.”
”Who landed from her?”
Again Absalaam put queries to the a.s.sembled loafers. They answered obscenely but with directness.
”A man came ash.o.r.e with the captain and did not return with him,” said the Moor. ”Is this, then, an affair of importance?”
”I will give fifty dollars to him who brings me face to face with that man,” said Aylmer, quietly. ”Let your fellows know this.”
Absalaam frowned ferociously and then laughed, a queer, high-pitched nasal laugh.
”My fellows!” He swept his hand towards the pier loafers witheringly.
”Does the Sidi think that I am of this n.o.ble company of--of dogs and eaters of dirt?” He laughed again, cheerfully this time. ”After all, I have given the Sidi every reason to believe it. But it is not so. My work in Tangier sends me strange companions, but I am not of them. And there is no need that these should debauch themselves with your fifty dollars, Sidi. I will see to this thing!”
Aylmer made a gesture of a.s.sent.
”As you will, so that the matter is done with speed. I stay at the Bristol. For the moment I visit the Villa Eulalia.”
”You can spare yourself the heat and the mounting of the hill, Sidi.
They of the villa set forth on an expedition to the lighthouse this morning.”
Aylmer came to a halt, irresolute.
”This is not mere talk; you know it?”
The Moor looked at him with sombre eyes which, however, barely hid a twinkle.
”The lady, the little lord, and their attendants went; this I saw myself. Absalaam ibn Said, their dragoman, is my cousin. I spoke with him.”
”The old man?”
Daoud's shrug conveyed the fact that he was sufficiently conversant with the customs of Nazrani to have neglected the movements of one who could surely not claim the attentions which were notoriously the due of his daughter.
”I did not concern myself to notice the old man, Sidi. If your business is with him, doubtless it is G.o.d's will that he awaits you.”
He waved towards the town with a determined and energetic sweep of the hand.
”I go, to earn your dollars, Sidi. One hour may suffice me; perchance I must waste three or even four. But I shall find him, have no doubt of the matter. Have I your leave to depart?”