Mr. Bristol, of Scotland Yard, standing2 stiffly military by the window, looked across at the gray-haired solicitor3. We were all silent for a few moments.
"My late client's wishes," continued Mr. Rawson, "are explicit4. His last instructions, evidently written but a short time prior to his death, advise me that the holy slipper5 of the Prophet is contained in the locked safe at his house in Dulwich. He was clearly of opinion that you, Mr. Cavanagh, would incur6 risk—great risk—from your possession of the key. Since attempts have been made upon you, murderous attempts, the late Professor Deeping, my unfortunate client, evidently was not in error."
"Mysterious outrages7," said Bristol, "have marked the progress of the stolen slipper from Mecca almost to London."
"I understand," interrupted the solicitor, "that a fanatic8 known as Hassan of Aleppo seeks to restore the relic to its former resting-place."
"That is so."
"Exactly; and it accounts for the Professor's wish that the safe should not be touched by any one but a Believer—and for his instructions that its removal to the Antiquarian Museum and the placing of the slipper within that institution be undertaken by a Moslem9 or Moslems."
Bristol frowned.
"Any one who has touched the receptacle containing the thing," he said, "has either been mutilated or murdered. I want to apprehend10 the authors of those outrages, but I fail to see why the slipper should be put on exhibition. Other crimes are sure to follow."
"I can only pursue my instructions," said Mr. Rawson dryly. "They are, that the work be done in such a manner as to expose all concerned to a minimum of risk from these mysterious people; that if possible a Moslem be employed for the purpose; and that Mr. Cavanagh, here, shall always hold the key or keys to the case in the museum containing the slipper. Will you undertake to look for some—Eastern workmen, Mr. Bristol? In the course of your inquiries11 you may possibly come across such a person."
"I can try," replied Bristol. "Meanwhile, I take it, the safe must remain at Dulwich?"
"Certainly. It should be guarded."
"We are guarding it and shall guard it," Bristol assured him. "I only hope we catch someone trying to get at it!"
Shortly afterward12 Bristol and I left the office, and, his duties taking him to Scotland Yard, I returned to my chambers13 to survey the position in which I now found myself. Indeed, it was a strange one enough, showing how great things have small beginnings; for, as a result of a steamer acquaintance I found myself involved in a dark business worthy14 of the Middle Ages. That Professor Deeping should have stolen one of the holy slippers15 of Mohammed was no affair of mine, and that an awful being known as Hassan of Aleppo should have pursued it did not properly enter into my concerns; yet now, with a group of Eastern fanatics16 at large in England, I was become, in a sense, the custodian17 of the relic. Moreover, I perceived that I had been chosen that I might safeguard myself. What I knew of the matter might imperil me, but whilst I held the key to the reliquary, and held it fast, I might hope to remain immune though I must expect to be subjected to attempts. It would be my affair to come to terms.
Contemplating18 these things I sat, in a world of dark dreams, unconscious of the comings and goings in the court below, unconscious of the hum which told of busy Fleet Street so near to me. The weather, as is its uncomfortable habit in England, had suddenly grown tropically hot, plunging19 London into the vapours of an African spring, and the sun was streaming through my open window fully20 upon the table.
I mopped my clammy forehead, glancing with distaste at the pile of work which lay before me. Then my eyes turned to an open quarto book. It was the late Professor Deeping's "Assyrian Mythology21," and embodied22 the result of his researches into the history of the Hashishin, the religious murderers of whose existence he had been so skeptical23. To the Chief of the Order, the terrible Sheikh Hassan of Aleppo, he referred as a "fabled24 being"; yet it was at the hands of this "fabled being" that he had met his end! How incredible it all seemed. But I knew full well how worthy of credence25 it was.
Then upon my gloomy musings a sound intruded—the ringing of my door bell. I rose from my chair with a weary sigh, went to the door, and opened it. An aged26 Oriental stood without. He was tall and straight, had a snow-white beard and clear-cut, handsome features. He wore well-cut European garments and a green turban. As I stood staring he saluted28 me gravely.
"Mr. Cavanagh?" he asked, speaking in faultless English.
"I am he."
"I learn that the services of a Moslem workman are required."
"Quite correct, sir; but you should apply at the offices of Messrs. Rawson & Rawson, Chancery Lane."
The old man bowed, smiling.
"Many thanks; I understood so much. But, my position being a peculiar29 one, I wished to speak with you—as a friend of the late Professor."
I hesitated. The old man looked harmless enough, but there was an air of mystery about the matter which put me on my guard.
"You will pardon me," I said, "but the work is scarcely of a kind—"
He raised his thin hand.
"I am not undertaking30 it myself. I wished to explain to you the conditions under which I could arrange to furnish suitable porters."
His patient explanation disposed me to believe that he was merely some kind of small contractor31, and in any event I had nothing to fear from this frail32 old man.
He entered, with that Oriental meekness34 in which there is something majestic35. I placed a chair for him in the study, and reseated myself at the table. The old man, who from the first had kept his eyes lowered deferentially36, turned to me with a gentle gesture, as if to apologize for opening the conversation.
"From the papers, Mr. Cavanagh," he began, "I have learned of the circumstances attending the death of Professor Deeping. Your papers"—he smiled, and I thought I had never seen a smile of such sweetness—"your papers know all! Now I understand why a Moslem is required, and I understand what is required of him. But remembering that the object of his labours would be to place a holy relic on exhibition for the amusement of unbelievers, can you reasonably expect to obtain the services of one?"
His point of view was fair enough.
"Perhaps not," I replied. "For my own part I should wish to see the slipper back in Mecca, or wherever it came from. But Professor Deeping—"
"Professor Deeping was a thorn in the flesh of the Faithful!"
My visitor's voice was gravely reproachful.
"Nevertheless his wishes must be considered," I said, "and the methods adopted by those who seek to recover the relic are such as to alienate37 all sympathy."
"You speak of the Hashishin?" asked the old man. "Mr. Cavanagh, in your own faith you have had those who spilled the blood of infidels as freely!"
"My good sir, the existence of such an organization cannot be tolerated today! This survival of the dark ages must be stamped out. However just a cause may be, secret murder is not permissible38, as you, a man of culture, a Believer, and"—I glanced at his unusual turban—"a descendant of the Prophet, must admit."
"I can admit nothing against the Guardian39 of the Tradition, Mr. Cavanagh! The Prophet taught that we should smite40 the Infidel. I ask you—have you the courage of your convictions?"
"Perhaps; I trust so."
"Then assist me to rid England of what you have called a survival of the dark ages. I will furnish porters to remove and carry the safe, if you will deliver to me the key!"
I sprang to my feet.
"That is madness!" I cried. "In the first place I should be compromising with my conscience, and in the second place I should be defenceless against those who might—"
"I have with me a written promise from one highly placed—one to whose will Hassan of Aleppo bows!"
My mind greatly disturbed, I watched the venerable speaker. I had determined41 now that he was some religious leader of Islam in England, who had been deputed to approach me; and, let me add, I was sorely tempted42 to accede43 to his proposal, for nothing would be gained by any one if the slipper remained for ever at the museum, whereas by conniving44 at its recovery by those who, after all, were its rightful owners I should be ridding England of a weird45 and undesirable46 visitant.
I think I should have agreed, when I remembered that the Hashishin had murdered Professor Deeping and had mutilated others wholly innocent of offence. I looked across at the old man. He had drawn47 himself up to his great height, and for the first time fully raising the lids, had fixed48 upon me the piercing gaze of a pair of eagle eyes. I started, for the aspect of this majestic figure was entirely49 different from that of the old stranger who had stood suppliant50 before me a moment ago.
"It is impossible," I said. "I can come to no terms with those who shield murderers."
"Es-selam 'aleykum!" I added ("Peace be on you!") closing the interview in the Eastern manner.
"Wa-'aleykum!" he said ("And on you!"). I conducted him to the door and closed it upon his exit. In his last salute27 I had noticed the flashing of a ring which he wore upon his left hand, and he was gone scarce ten seconds ere my heart began to beat furiously. I snatched up "Assyrian Mythology" and with trembling fingers turned to a certain page.
There I read—
Each Sheikh of the Assassins is said to be invested with the "Ring of the Prophet." It bears a green stone, shaped in the form of a scimitar or crescent.
My dreadful suspicion was confirmed. I knew who my visitor had been.
"God in heaven!" I whispered. "It was Hassan of Aleppo!"
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1
relic
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| n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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solicitor
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| n.初级律师，事务律师 | |
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explicit
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| adj.详述的，明确的；坦率的；显然的 | |
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slipper
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| n.拖鞋 | |
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incur
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| vt.招致，蒙受，遭遇 | |
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outrages
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| 引起…的义愤，激怒( outrage的第三人称单数 ) | |
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fanatic
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| n.狂热者，入迷者；adj.狂热入迷的 | |
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Moslem
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| n.回教徒，穆罕默德信徒；adj.回教徒的，回教的 | |
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apprehend
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| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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14
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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slippers
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| n. 拖鞋 | |
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fanatics
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| 狂热者，入迷者( fanatic的名词复数 ) | |
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custodian
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| n.保管人，监护人；公共建筑看守 | |
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contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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mythology
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| n.神话，神话学，神话集 | |
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embodied
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| v.表现( embody的过去式和过去分词 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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skeptical
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| adj.怀疑的，多疑的 | |
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fabled
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| adj.寓言中的，虚构的 | |
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credence
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| n.信用，祭器台，供桌，凭证 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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contractor
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| n.订约人，承包人，收缩肌 | |
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frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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repenting
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的现在分词 ) | |
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34
meekness
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| n.温顺，柔和 | |
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majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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deferentially
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| adv.表示敬意地，谦恭地 | |
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alienate
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| vt.使疏远，离间；转让(财产等) | |
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permissible
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| adj.可允许的，许可的 | |
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guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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smite
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| v.重击；彻底击败；n.打；尝试；一点儿 | |
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41
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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accede
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| v.应允，同意 | |
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44
conniving
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| v.密谋 ( connive的现在分词 )；搞阴谋；默许；纵容 | |
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45
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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46
undesirable
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| adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子 | |
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47
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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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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49
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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50
suppliant
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| adj.哀恳的；n.恳求者，哀求者 | |
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51
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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52
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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