Fiction > Book editions > London, 1885 - Dynamiter

196 NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS.
scraper; but the touching confusion of your mind disarms
me from extremities. Until to-day, I always thought
stupidity was funny ; I now know otherwise ; and when
I look upon your idiot face, laughter rises within me
like a deadly sickness, and the tears spring up into my
eyes as bitter as blood. What should this portend ? I
begin to doubt ; I am losing faith in scepticism. Is it
possible,' he cried, in a kind of horror of himself — ' is
it conceivable that I believe in right and wrong?
Already I have found myself, with incredulous surprise,
to be the victim of a prejudice of personal honour. And
must this change proceed ? Have you robljed me of my
youth ? Must I fall, at my time of life, into the Common
Banker 1 But why should I address that head of wood ?
Let this suffice. I dare not let you stay among
women and children ; I lack the courage to denounce
you, if by any means I may avoid it ; you have no money :
well then, take mine, and go; and if ever I behold your
face after to-day, that day will be your last.'
' Under the circumstances,' replied Zero, ' I scarce
see my way to refuse your offer. Your expressions may
pain, they cannot surprise me ; I am aware our point of
view requires a little training, a little moral hygiene, if
I may so express it ; and one of the points that has
always charmed me in your character, is this delightful
frankness. As for the small advance, it shall be re-
mitted you from Philadelphia.'
' It shall not,' said Somerset.
' Dear fellow, you do not understand,' returned the
plotter. ' I shall now be received with fresh confidence
by my superiors ; and my experiments will be no longer
hampered by pitiful conditions of the purse.'
' What I am now about, sir, is a crime,' replied
Somerset ; ' and were you to roll in w^ealth like Yander-
bilt, I should scorn to be reimbursed of money I had so
scandalously misapplied. Take it, and keep it. By
George, sir, three days of you ha^'e transformed me to
an ancient Roman.'
With these words, Somerset hailed a passing hansom ;
and the pair were driven rapidly to the railway terminus.