Page:Kéraban the Inflexible Part 1 (Jules Verne).djvu/25

Rh "Where is this Ahmet now?"

"At Odessa."

"And Keraban?"

"Here; in Constantinople."

"Did you see this young man, Yarhud, while you were passing through Odessa?"

"I had a particular object in seeing him, and in taking notice of him. I have seen him, and know him."

"What kind of man is he?"

"A young, and rather interesting fellow; very acceptable to the banker's daughter too."

"Is he to be feared, think you?"

"They say he is both brave and resolute, and in this business at any rate we must reckon with him."

"Is he independent, in fortune, I mean?" continued Scarpante, who kept putting leading questions concerning the young man, who gave him some uneasiness.

"No," replied Yarhud: "Ahmet is entirely dependent upon his uncle and guardian, Kéraban, who loves him as a son; and he will no doubt soon go to Odessa, so as to be present at the marriage."

"Cannot we find some means to prevent the Seigneur Kéraban from going thither?" suggested Scarpante.

"That certainly would be a good thing to do, and would give us more time; but in what way do you propose to prevent him?"

"The way I must leave to your invention," replied Scarpante. "But bear in mind the wishes of Seigneur Saffar must be carried out, and the young Amasia must be carried off to Trebizond. It will not be the first visit of the Guidare to that part of the coast, and you know how your services will be remunerated."

"I know!" replied Yarhud briefly.

"My patron, Saffar, saw the girl, though only for an instant, in his house at Odessa. Her beauty has made a deep impression on him, and she will not complain of the exchange from the banker's home to the palace at Trebizond. Amasia will surely be carried off, Yarhud; and if not by you, by some one else."

"I will do it: you may be depend upon me," replied the