"Where are you taking me?" asked Yada, suspiciously, as they crossed the
threshold.
"All serene, mister!" answered Melky, reassuringly. "Friend o' mine here
--my cousin. All right--and all secure. You're as safe here as you will be
in your grave, mister--s'elp me, you are! Zillah!"
Zillah walked into the parlour and justified Melky's supreme confidence in
her by showing no surprise or embarrassment. She gave Yada the merest
glance, and turned to Melky.
"Bit o' business with this young gentleman, Zillah," said Melky. "That
little room, upstairs, now--what?" "Oh, all right!" said Zillah,
indifferently. "You know your way--you'll be quiet enough there."
Melky signed to Yada to follow him, and led the way up the stairs to the
very top of the house. He conducted the Japanese into the small room in
which were some ancient moth-and-worm-eaten bits of furniture, an old
chest or two, and a plenitude of dust--and carefully closed the door when
he and his captive had got inside.
"Now, mister!" he said, "you're as safe here as you could be in any spot
in the wide world. Let's get to business--and let's understand each other.
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