Thereafter she had had no
occasion to interview the strange, immobile Egyptian, nor had she
experienced any desire to do so. The method of obtaining drugs was a
simple one. She had merely to present herself at the establishment in
Bond Street and to purchase either a flask of perfume or a box of
sweetmeats. There were several varieties of perfume, and each
corresponded to a particular drug. The sweetmeats corresponded to
morphine. Rashid, the attendant, knew all Kazmah's clients, and with
the box or flask he gave them a quantity of the required drug. This
scheme was precautionary. For if a visitor should chance to be
challenged on leaving the place, there was the legitimate purchase to
show in evidence of the purpose of the visit.
No conversation was necessary, merely the selection of a scent and the
exchange of a sum of money. Rashid retired to wrap up the purchase,
and with it a second and smaller package was slipped into the
customer's hand. That the prices charged were excessive--nay,
ridiculous--did not concern Rita, for, in common with the rest of her
kind, she was careless of expenditure.
Opium, alone, Kazmah did not sell. He sold morphine, tincture of
opium, and other preparations; but those who sought the solace of the
pipe were compelled to deal with Mrs.
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