Treasure Hunt Tales: The Star of the South & Captain Antifer. Жюль Верн
that Tregomain did not lose a word of what the will contained, and then drew his note-book from his pocket, so as to inscribe therein the figures indicating the longitude of the islet—those four figures for each of which he would have given one of the fingers of his right hand, and Tregomain also brought out a note-book and wrote down the figures—54° 57' east.
The will was then returned to the notary, who put it into his portfolio, which was passed under the arm of Nazim, who remained seemingly indifferent to all that was going on, although the interview had now reached a point of considerable interest for him and Ben Omar. Antifer, knowing both the meridian and the parallel of the island, had only to cross these two lines to find the position. And this he was very naturally somewhat eager to do.
But as he rose, there could be no mistake as to the meaning of the bow he made his visitors, and the gesture with which he indicated the stairs. Evidently Saouk and Ben Omar were invited to depart.
The bargeman quietly watched the proceedings with considerable amusement. Nevertheless, neither the notary nor Nazim seemed disposed to rise. It was clear that their host would put them out, but either they did not understand or did not wish to understand. Ben Omar, who was much embarrassed, felt that Saouk was, by a look, giving him express orders to ask a final question.
He obeyed, and said,—
“Now that I have fulfilled the mission entrusted to me by the will of Kamylk Pasha—”
“We have only to take leave of each other politely,” said Antifer, “and the first train being at 10.37—”
“10.23, since yesterday,” corrected Tregomain.
“Yes, 10.23, and I would not, my dear Mr. Ben Omar, make you or your clerk Nazim miss this express.”
Saouk’s feet began to beat a double shuffle on the floor, and as he looked at his watch, it seemed as though he was anxious to be off.
“If you have any luggage to register,” continued Antifer, “there is barely time.”
“All the more so,” added the bargeman, “as there is no end of it at this station.”
Ben Omar saw that he must say something further, and half rising, he remarked, lowering his eyes,—
“Pardon me, but it seems to me that we have not said all we have to say.”
“Quite the contrary, Mr. Ben Omar; as far as I am concerned I have nothing more to ask you.”
“But I have a question to ask, Mr. Antifer.”
“I am surprised, Mr. Ben Omar; but if you think so, what is it?”
“I have given you the figures of the longitude indicated in the will of Kamylk Pasha—”
“You have, and my friend Tregomain and I have entered them in our note-books.”
“And now you have to give me those of the latitude indicated in the letter.”
“The letter addressed to my father?”
“The same.”
“Pardon, Mr. Ben Omar!” replied Antifer, frowning. “Did you not have orders to bring me the longitude in question?”
“Yes, and those orders I have fulfilled.”
“With as much kindness as zeal, I admit. But, as far as I am concerned, I have nowhere seen either in the will or in the letter that I should reveal to you the figures of the latitude sent to my father.”
“However—”
“However, if you have any orders concerning this, we might perhaps discuss them.”
“It seems to me,” replied the notary, “that between gentlemen who esteem each other—”
“It seems wrong then, Mr. Ben Omar. Esteem has nothing to do with it, however much we may have for each other.”
Evidently the irritation which was taking the place of impatience with Captain Antifer would not be long in showing itself. And so, in his anxiety to avoid an explosion, Tregomain went to open the door so as to facilitate the departure of the visitors. Saouk never budged. It was, however, not his business as clerk and a foreigner ignorant of the language, to move before his master gave him the order.
Ben Omar quitted his chair, rubbed his head, adjusted his spectacles upon his nose, and, in the tone of a man who does the best with what he cannot prevent, remarked,—
“Excuse me, Mr. Antifer, you have made up your mind not to trust me.”
“The more so, Mr. Ben Omar, because Kamylk Pasha’s letter required my father to keep it a profound secret, and that this secret my father also required me to keep.”
“Well, Mr. Antifer,” said Ben Omar, “will you accept good advice?”
“What is it?”
“To take no further steps in this matter.”
“And why?”
“Because you may meet on the way a certain person who may make you repent it.”
“And who is that?”
“Saouk, the son of Kamylk Pasha’s cousin, disinherited to your advantage, and who is not at all the man—”
“Do you know this son, Mr. Ben Omar?”
“No,” replied the notary, “but I know that he is a formidable adversary—”
“Well, if you ever meet this Saouk, tell him I don’t care a snap for him, nor for all the Saoukery of Egypt!”
Nazim did not move a muscle. And then Antifer went out on the landing.
“Nanon!” he shouted.
The notary moved towards the door, and this time Saouk, clumsily upsetting his chair, followed him, not without a furious desire to kick him downstairs.
But as he was at the door, Ben Omar suddenly stopped, and said to Antifer, “you have not forgotten one of the clauses in Kamylk Pasha’s will?”
“Which is that, Mr. Ben Omar?”
“That which compels me to accompany you until you have taken possession of your legacy, of being present when the three casks are exhumed.”
“Well, you shall accompany me, Mr. Ben Omar.”
“Then I must know where you are going.”
“You will know when we are there.”
“But if it is at the other end of the world?”
“It will be at the other end of the world.”
“But remember that I cannot do without my head clerk.”
“That is as you please, and I shall be no less honoured by his presence than by yours.”
Leaning over the balusters, he shouted in a voice that showed he considered the interview at an end—
“Nanon!”
Nanon appeared.
“Show these gentlemen a light!”
“Good!” said Nanon; “it is broad daylight.”
“Show them a light all the same.”
And thus it was that Saouk and Ben Omar were shown out of this inhospitable house, the door of which was slammed behind them.
Then Captain Antifer was seized with such an attack of delirious delight as had seldom come to him before. But if he was not joyful on that occasion, when should he have been?
He had it, this famous longitude so impatiently expected. He had the power to change into reality what had hitherto been but a dream. The