Part 25 (1/2)
”So much the easier for us,” Grim answered ”That kind always make mistakes He must have counted on your brains exclusively to keep him on top; and now your brains are in estion?”
She nodded
”Ah! Most angry estion Dislikes European doctors, I dare say? Thought so; most fanatical Moslems do that But an Indian _hakiestion--in between the bouts of rage D'you suppose he'd entertain a _hakiain
”Well, we'll fix it so a _hakiestion But let you and me understand each other first, Jael I can be a mean man when I must, but I'll always take a heap of trouble to find a whitethe saly if you force my hand--but I'd sooner not; and I'd just as lief help you as hinder you, provided you don't upset what I'ain, and not so bitterly
”You're on the wrong side of the wall to build much,” she answered ”You should cohts and in sos, that if you caood I think you could show us so”
Her eyes said far le--a thoughtful, speculative angle that vaguely excited her
”What I mean is just this,” he said; ”that you and I had better decide to be real friends, and not half-open eneame There are men in this cae it not to hurt you or Ali Higg, provided you pledge yours to be equally friendly and to helpso's he'll be useful and not just an ordinary trouble-maker”
”Would you accept my word?” she asked hi to how he answered
”I'll accept it, Jael Sure For you'll have to give it, and it's all you've got to trade with And I'll watch you just about twice as carefully as examiners watch the bank directors of New York State
”Knowing you're watched, like the to be too proud to cheat; and after you've found how it pays to play straight withwatched for the sake of the advertisement”
Her face did not soften in the least; but it changed expression, like a woman buyer's who has decided to
”I think I' to like you,” she said ”Of course, you're a liar, like all men, but you've a finer touch than most”
At that point Ali Baba ulish, but there are certain words--such as liar, cheat, swine, thief, and the list of oaths--that find their way like water to the coen to the Horn
”He is no liar!” he exclai man with the brain of three, who can use the truth for his own ends! A keeper of secrets! An upsetter of plans! But he is no liar, and I will not hear him called one by a woue is worse than water dripping through a roof!”
It is manners in that country to sit silent while an olddid not offer to rebuke him for the interruption When he had quite finished Griain
”Now let's knohere we stand Are you and I to be friends, Jael?”
She nodded
”I'm no half-way adventurer I'll make your fortune,” she said, ”if you'll come the whole ith me, and stay this side of Jordan”
He shook his head and smiled back at her
”You've your work cut out to keep Ali Higg off the rocks, Jael”
”There's no roouess not”
She looked hard at me, and back fro a trap for us or really in earnest about what she said next Gri a bow at a venture