The Pirate City, page 119 by Robert Michael Ballantyne
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; "there is oxygen and nitrogen, if philosophers be right--which is an open question--and there is something lately discovered which they call ozone. Discoveries in time past give ground for expectation of discoveries in time to come. There is much in the wind, methinks."
"True, true," rejoined Omar, with an approving nod; "and what sayest thou as to the atmosphere of the palace?"
The jester, who had strong suspicions as to the good-faith of Omar, yet was not sufficiently in the confidence of the Dey to know exactly how matters stood, replied with caution--
"It is serene, as usual; not disturbed by untoward elements, as the air of a palace ought to be."
"That is well, Hadji Baba," returned Omar, in a confidential tone; "nevertheless thou knowest that the atmosphere in palaces is not always serene.--By the way, hast seen Sidi Hamet of late?"
"Not I," replied the other carelessly.
"He is no friend of thine, it would seem," said Omar.
"No," answered the jester shortly.
"Nor of mine," added Omar.
Each eyed the other narrowly as this was said.
"Wouldst do him a service if you could?" asked Omar.
"No," said Baba.
"Nor I," returned Omar.
"I owe service to no one save the Dey," rejoined Baba. "If it were possible, I would for his sake put a bow-string round the neck of a certain Aga--"
"Ha!" interrupted Omar; "hast thou then seen aught to justify such strong measures? Come, Hadji Baba, thou knowest me to be thy master's true friend. Tell me all. It shall be well for thee. It might be ill for thee, if thou didst decline; but fear not. I am thy friend, and the friend of Achmet. It behoves friends to aid each other in straits."
The jester felt that he had committed himself, but at the same time conceived that he was justified in trusting one who had always been the intimate friend and adviser of his master. He therefore revealed all that he knew of the plot which was hatching, and of which he knew a great deal m