106
THE SURAKARTA
repeated before he took heed of it. Then he began to rub his hands softly together.
"Prut! But no! It could haf been done!" he exclaimed delightedly. "All as he says, it could haf been done! I am glad I came to see this, even from the inderior of Asia! For now it iss marvelous, mysterious; but when it iss exblained then it will appear gommonblace that the box wass obened and the emerald taken from the box, even from under our friendt's revolver point!"
Baraka's eyes flashed balefully at Hereford.
"Even your own friend—you see!—even your own friend," he hissed, "says as I say!"
Wade Hereford returned the envoy's stare steadily, then he glanced toward Max and the detective and slightly smiled.
