stories by english authors in africa(旅非英国作家的故事)-第35节
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〃For a son。〃
Gregorio then demanded admittance and led the way； followed by his
three friends。 He had visited the house of Amos before； on less bloody but
less delightful business； and he did not hesitate； but strode on to where he
knew the Jew would be。 His companions stood behind the curtain；
awaiting the signal。
Amos looked somewhat surprised at the Greek's entrance； but
motioned him to a seat； and； as on the occasion of his first visit； clapped
his hands together as a signal that coffee and pipes were required。
〃It is kind of you to come； for doubtless you wish to pay me what is
owing。〃
〃I wish to pay you。〃
〃That is well。 I hope you are better again。 I regretted to find you so ill
two nights ago。〃
〃I am better。〃
The conversation ceased； for Gregorio was restless and his fingers
itched to do their work。 Something in his manner alarmed Amos； for he
summoned in two of his servants and raised himself slightly； as if the
better to avoid an attack。 But he continued to smoke calmly； watching the
Greek under his half…closed lids。
〃I have another piece of business to settle with you。〃
〃Do you want to borrow more money because I refuse to lend you
any？〃
〃No； it is you who have borrowed； and I have come to you to receive
back my own。〃
〃I fail to understand you。〃
Gregorio tried to keep calm； but it was not possible。 Rising to his feet；
he bent over the Jew and cried out：
〃Give me back my son； you Jew dog！〃
〃Your son is not here。〃
〃You lie！ by God； you lie！ If he is not here you have murdered him。〃
〃Madman！〃 shouted Amos； as the Greek's knife flashed from its sheath；
but before he or his servants could stay the uplifted arm the Jew sank back
among his cushions； wounded to the heart。 With a shout of triumph and a
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〃Death of all Jews！〃 Gregorio turned savagely on the servants and；
reinforced by his companions； soon succeeded in slaying them。 Then
leaving the dead side by side； the four men dashed through the house
seeking fresh victims。 Ten minutes later they were in the street again；
dripping with the blood of women and men； for in their fury they had
killed every human being in the house。
Down the narrow native streets they pushed on quickly； hugging the
shadows； toward the Penny…farthing Shop。 Madam Marx； her ears
sharpened by fear； heard them； admitted them by a side door； and led them
quickly to an upper room。 Thither she carried water and clean garments；
but dared not ask any questions。 Sick with anxiety； she re…entered the bar
and waited。
At length the murderers appeared and called for coffee； and Madam
Marx attended to their wants。 In a few minutes the Egyptians left； and
Gregorio and she were alone。 Coming near him； she placed her hand
timidly on his shoulder； and asked him； in a hoarse whisper； to tell her
what had happened。
〃My son was not there。〃
〃Well？〃
〃Well； you can guess the rest。 Not one person remains alive of that
devil's household。〃
Madam Marx gasped at the magnitude of the crime； and though her
terrors increased； her pride in the man capable of so tremendous revenge
increased also。
〃What will happen to you？〃 she found voice to ask。
〃Nothing。 I must hide here。 We were not seen。 Besides； you remember
the last time a Greek murdered a Jewit was at Port Saidthe matter was
hushed up。 Our consuls care as little for Jews as we do。 My God； how glad
I am I killed him！〃
His eyes were fixed on the street as he spoke； and suddenly he started
to his feet。 Madam rose too； and clung to him。 He pushed her roughly on
one side； while an evil smile played on his lips。
〃By God； she shall come back now！〃
〃Who？〃
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〃Xantippe。 There is no need for her to live with the Englishman now。
Our son is dead and the Jew in hell。 I will at least have my wife back。〃
〃She will not come。〃
〃She will come。 By God； I will make her！ I have tasted blood to…night；
and I am not a child to be treated with contempt。 I say I will make her
come。〃
〃But if she refuses？〃
〃Then I will take care she does not go back to the Englishman。〃
〃You will〃 but madam's voice faltered。 Gregorio read her meaning
and laughed a yes。
〃But； Gregorio； think； you will be hanged for that。 You wife is not a
Jewess。〃
But Gregorio laughed again and strode into the street。 He was mad
with grief and the intoxicating draughts of vengeance he had swallowed。
He strode across the road and mounted the stairs with steady feet。 Madam
Marx followed him； weeping and calling on him to come back。 As he
reached the door of his room she flung herself before him； but he pushed
her on one side with his feet and shut the door behind him as he entered。
Lying on the threshold； she heard the bolt fastened； and knew the last
act of the tragedy was begun。
XI HUSBAND AND WIFE
As Gregorio entered the room； Xantippe； who was kneeling by a box
into which she was placing clothes neatly folded； turned her head and said
laughingly：
〃You are impatient； my friend； I have nearly〃
But recognising Gregorio； she did not finish the sentence。 She sat
down on the edge of the box。 Her face became white； and the blood left
her lips。 With a great effort she remained quiet and folded her hands on her
lap。
Gregorio looked at her for a moment； a cruel smile making his sinister
face appear almost terrible； and his bloodshot eyes glared at her savagely。
At last he broke the silence by shouting her name hoarsely； making at the
same time a movement toward her。 He looked like a wild animal about to
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spring upon his prey。 Xantippe； however； did not flinch； answering softly：
〃I am not deaf。 What do you want here？〃
〃It is my room； I suppose I have a right to be here。〃
〃I apologise for having intruded。〃
〃None of your smooth speeches。 The Englishman has schooled you
carefully； I see。 Can you say 'good…bye' in English yet？〃
〃Why should I say 'good…bye'？〃
〃It is time。 You will come back to me now。〃
〃Never。〃
Gregorio laughed hysterically and stood beside her。 His fingers played
with her hair。 In spite of her fear lest she should irritate him； Xantippe
shrank from his touch。 Gregorio noticed her aversion and said savagely：
〃You must get used to me； Xantippe。 From to…night we live together
again。 It is not necessary now for you to earn money。〃
〃I shall not come back to you。 I have told you I hate you。 It is your
own fault that I leave you。〃
〃It will be my fault if you do leave me。〃
He pushed her on to the mattress and held her there。
〃Let us talk；〃 he said。
For a few minutes there was silence； and then he continued：
〃Amos is dead； and our debts are paid。〃
〃How did you pay them？〃
〃With this；〃 and as he spoke he touched the handle of his knife。 〃Don't
shudder； he deserved it； and I shall be safe in a few days。 These affairs are
quickly forgotten。 Besides； there is another reason why we should not live
as we have lately been living。〃
Xantippe opened her eyes as she asked； 〃What reason？〃
Gregorio relaxed his hold； for the memory of his loss shook him with
sobs。 Cat…like； Xantippe had waited her opportunity and sprang away from
his grasp。 The movement brought the man to his senses。 He rushed at her
with an oath； waving the knife in his hand。 Xantippe prepared to defend
herself。 They stood； desperate； before each other； neither daring to begin
the struggle。 Through the awful silence came the sound of sobs and a
plaintive voice crying：
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〃Gregori
