Page:Weird Tales Volume 8 Number 3 (1926-09).djvu/76

 "You see, Chero, I was correct. We have a visitor."

The animal blinked solemnly back at him and at intervals it gibbered excitedly. Messer Marri continued.

"Sit down, Messer Como, sit down. I am sure that your intentions are of the best, even though your hand rests upon your dagger. Possibly a habit, Messer Como, most possibly a habit." He turned to the animal on the floor again. "It is most fortunate that he has come, eh, Chero?"

The creature moved forward and caught at Messer Marri's robe and in a few seconds it was perched upon his shoulder. In a monotone Messer Marri spoke a few words to his pet. The monkey jumped to the floor and raced over to Messer Como, and, almost before Messer Como was aware of it, the marmoset was running off with his dagger. But he contented himself with the thought that he still had another dagger in the form of a stiletto in the bosom of his doublet. The wizard addressed Messer Como.

"Yes, Messer Como, it is so fortunate that yon have come. I am so in need of someone to aid me. It is kind of you." He smiled sardonically.

Messer Como strove to answer but he was totally unnerved by the calm of his would-be victim.

"Ah, yes, Messer Como. Today have I compounded two liquids, both poison. One should kill within the quarter-hour; the other not for two months. I am very much in need of someone to test these for me, Messer Como."

He smiled, but the glint in his eyes belied the smile. He continued.

"First, I think, we shall try the more deadly of the two." He moved over to a shelf near the fireplace, from which he removed two phials.

Meanwhile Messer Como sat. He uttered not a sound, but stared at the magician, fascinated. All his plans of vengeance had dissolved into thin air, and his one thought was escape from this fiend who threatened his existence. He was seated near the open door, but Messer Marri's marmoset, which was between him and the door, was fingering the dagger it had stolen, and, once in a space, it glared evilly at Messer Como. Undoubtedly the animal could not kill, but even a scratch from the weapon would suffice to dispatch one, for Messer Como had taken the precaution to dip the end of the blade into a deadly compound. The window as a means of escape was too far distant. Dully he watched the wizard at his task of removing the phials. Messer Marri walked over and stood before him. He held aloft a phial and spoke.

"This, Messer Como, is the more deadly." The liquid was as colorless as the glass that contained it. "A drop, Messer, or two drops, will plunge yon into the most excruciating pains you can experience. While you will not be conscious of any exterior pain, you will nevertheless suffer most horribly." He uncorked the phial as he spoke. * 'First, Messer Como, there will be a terrible burning feeling as the liquid travels down the gullet. But that, Messer, is nought compared to the gnawing pain in the vitals. A thousand times you will wish yourself dead; a thousand times you will regret that you had ever been born. Then, Messer, it will attack your brain in a most subtle manner. All you see will appear a bright glaring red and suddenly you will go blind."

He looked at Messer Como suggestively. Messer Como's forehead was covered with a cold sweat of terror.

"But," continued the wizard, "if I should see that the poison is beginning to take effect, I shall possibly give you a few drops of a mixture which I have concocted to counteract its effect. Possibly, Messer." The ominous accent on the word "possibly" did not escape Messer Como's notice. "And, Messer, if you but