Madam Marx was unhappy, and as she waited on her customers her eyes rested continually on the Greek, who heeded3 her not. Once she carried some wine to him, and he drank eagerly, spilling a few drops on the floor first. “It’s like blood,” he muttered, and smiled. Madam hastily covered his mouth with her trembling fingers.
Just before midnight Ahmed arrived with his two friends. Gregorio saw them at once, and, calling them to him, they spoke4 together in low voices for a few moments. There was little need for words, and soon, scarcely noticed by the drinkers and gamblers, they passed out into the street and walked slowly toward the Jew’s house. Ahmed rapidly repeated the plan of action. When they reached the door they stood for a moment before they woke the Arab, and these words passed between them:
“For a wife.”
“For a sister.”
“For a son.”
Gregorio then demanded admittance and led the way, followed by his three friends. He had visited the house of Amos before, on less bloody5 but less delightful6 business, and he did not hesitate, but strode on to where he knew the Jew would be. His companions stood behind the curtain, awaiting the signal.
Amos looked somewhat surprised at the Greek’s entrance, but motioned him to a seat, and, as on the occasion of his first visit, clapped his hands together as a signal that coffee and pipes were required.
“It is kind of you to come, for doubtless you wish to pay me what is owing.”
“I wish to pay you.”
“That is well. I hope you are better again. I regretted to find you so ill two nights ago.”
“I am better.”
The conversation ceased, for Gregorio was restless and his fingers itched7 to do their work. Something in his manner alarmed Amos, for he summoned in two of his servants and raised himself slightly, as if the better to avoid an attack. But he continued to smoke calmly, watching the Greek under his half-closed lids.
“I have another piece of business to settle with you.”
“Do you want to borrow more money because I refuse to lend you any?”
“No; it is you who have borrowed, and I have come to you to receive back my own.”
“I fail to understand you.”
Gregorio tried to keep calm, but it was not possible. Rising to his feet, he bent8 over the Jew and cried out:
“Give me back my son, you Jew dog!”
“Your son is not here.”
“You lie! by God, you lie! If he is not here you have murdered him.”
“Madman!” shouted Amos, as the Greek’s knife flashed from its sheath; but before he or his servants could stay the uplifted arm the Jew sank back among his cushions, wounded to the heart. With a shout of triumph and a “Death of all Jews!” Gregorio turned savagely9 on the servants and, reinforced by his companions, soon succeeded in slaying10 them. Then leaving the dead side by side, the four men dashed through the house seeking fresh victims. Ten minutes later they were in the street again, dripping with the blood of women and men, for in their fury they had killed every human being in the house.
Down the narrow native streets they pushed on quickly, hugging the shadows, toward the Penny-farthing Shop. Madam Marx, her ears sharpened by fear, heard them, admitted them by a side door, and led them quickly to an upper room. Thither11 she carried water and clean garments, but dared not ask any questions. Sick with anxiety, she re-entered the bar and waited.
At length the murderers appeared and called for coffee, and Madam Marx attended to their wants. In a few minutes the Egyptians left, and Gregorio and she were alone. Coming near him, she placed her hand timidly on his shoulder, and asked him, in a hoarse12 whisper, to tell her what had happened.
“My son was not there.”
“Well?”
Madam Marx gasped14 at the magnitude of the crime, and though her terrors increased, her pride in the man capable of so tremendous revenge increased also.
“What will happen to you?” she found voice to ask.
“Nothing. I must hide here. We were not seen. Besides, you remember the last time a Greek murdered a Jew—it was at Port Said—the matter was hushed up. Our consuls15 care as little for Jews as we do. My God, how glad I am I killed him!”
His eyes were fixed16 on the street as he spoke, and suddenly he started to his feet. Madam rose too, and clung to him. He pushed her roughly on one side, while an evil smile played on his lips.
“By God, she shall come back now!”
“Who?”
“Xantippe. There is no need for her to live with the Englishman now. Our son is dead and the Jew in hell. I will at least have my wife back.”
“She will not come.”
“She will come. By God, I will make her! I have tasted blood to-night, and I am not a child to be treated with contempt. I say I will make her come.”
“But if she refuses?”
“Then I will take care she does not go back to the Englishman.”
“But, Gregorio, think; you will be hanged for that. You wife is not a Jewess.”
But Gregorio laughed again and strode into the street. He was mad with grief and the intoxicating18 draughts19 of vengeance20 he had swallowed. He strode across the road and mounted the stairs with steady feet. Madam Marx followed him, weeping and calling on him to come back. As he reached the door of his room she flung herself before him, but he pushed her on one side with his feet and shut the door behind him as he entered.
Lying on the threshold, she heard the bolt fastened, and knew the last act of the tragedy was begun.
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1
accomplice
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| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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2
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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3
heeded
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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4
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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5
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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6
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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7
itched
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| v.发痒( itch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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8
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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9
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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10
slaying
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| 杀戮。 | |
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11
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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12
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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13
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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14
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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15
consuls
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| 领事( consul的名词复数 )； （古罗马共和国时期）执政官 （古罗马共和国及其军队的最高首长，同时共有两位，每年选举一次） | |
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16
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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17
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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18
intoxicating
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| a. 醉人的,使人兴奋的 | |
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19
draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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20
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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