Pending the experiment, the
prisoner was removed. Half an hour later, the attendant returned with
the news that the dog was dead.
"The guilt of the man is confirmed," the rajah said. "Let him be
executed."
"Will you give him to me, your highness?" Charlie asked. "His death
would not benefit me now, and to save his life, he may tell me who is
my enemy. It is of no use punishing the instrument, and letting the
instigator go free."
"You are right," the rajah agreed. "If you can find out who bribed
him, justice shall be done, though it were the highest in the state."
Charlie returned to his own quarters, assembled his lieutenants and
several other of his officers, and had the man brought before him.
"Hossein," he said, "you have taken money to take my life. I looked
upon you as my faithful servant. I had done you no wrong. It has been
proved that you attempted to poison me. You, when driven by hunger,
ate small quantities, which you thought would pass unobserved, of all
the dishes but one. That dish has been given to a dog, and he has
died. You knew, then, which was the poisoned dish. The rajah has
ordered your execution. I offer you life, if you will tell me who it
was that tempted you.
Pages:
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228