Page 297 - A Knight of the White Cross
P. 297
Thus, then, as Gervaise walked through the streets on the first occasion of
obtaining his liberty, he attracted no attention whatever. When he saw Ben
Ibyn approaching he stepped out to meet him. The merchant looked in his
face, but for a moment failed to recognise him, then he exclaimed suddenly,
"It is Gervaise! Ah, my son, I am indeed rejoiced to see you. We have
spoken of you so often at home, and sorely did my wife and daughters
grieve when you were torn from us. I did not dare to send any message to
you, for the sultan pretended great anger against me, and used the
opportunity to squeeze me hardly; but I have frequently made inquiries
about you, and was glad indeed to find that even in prison you received
promotion; had it been otherwise -- had I found that you were in misery -- I
would have endeavoured, whatever the risk, to aid you to escape."
"I have indeed nothing to complain of, and was sorry to learn that you had
suffered on my account. Have you ever learned how it came about that I
was denounced?"
"No, indeed; I would have given much to know, and assuredly the dog,
whoever he was, should have been made to suffer."
"It was Hassan. The villain met me when I was with the gang, and boasted
that it was he who had sent me there. He had told the news to some official,
who had, of course, repeated it to the sultan; doubtless he concealed his
own share in the matter, otherwise he too would, next time he returned
here, have had to pay for his part in it."
"I will make him pay more heavily than the sultan would," Ben Tbyn said
sternly; "I will speak to my friends among the merchants, and henceforth no
Berber will buy aught from him; and we have hitherto been his best
customers. But let us not waste our time in speaking of this wretch. How
comes it that you are walking freely in the streets of Tripoli? I can see that
your face is stained, although you are no longer a Nubian."
Gervaise told him how it was that he was free to walk in the city after his
work was done.
