The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-22
CHAPTER ~.

CHAPTER ~.
An hour after sunset Meryon, mount
ed on thoroughbred Arab and fol-
lowed by two camels bearing his lug
gage, passed out of the gate of the city
and set his course towards the west.
good many things had happened since
we saw him last.
Ebal, on hearing the result of the in
terview, had declared that it meant
mischief and begged to be taken along
to share his masters fate. Meryon had
half-formed scheme to profit by the
confusion in the harem caused by the
disgrace of Hatipha, to carry on the
princess; but the only way to erect IL
was to have her join him that night be-
yond the boundary of the principality,
which was not more than twenty miles
distant. BY the connivance OF Senuah
and the help of Ebal, this might be ac-
complished; and the latter eagerly
agreed to attempt it, There had not
been much time to arrange the details
of the plot but trystipg place was
fixed upon-a tall, isolated rock near
the caravan road, in the enemy S coun-
try Here Meryon was to wait SIN
hours; If Ebal and the princess did not
appear within that time, he was to pre-
sumo that the plan had miscarried. and
keep on alone.
Meanwhile it transpired that Hati-
pha had escaped; when the princes
guards went TO get him. he had van
ished. 1t was not surprising: the war
scare threw everything into hubbuo.
Had the American not been rendered
so conspicuous by his mission, he might
easily have spirited away the princess
himself. Late in the afternoon re-
port that the princess mother had been
taken violently i'll added To the contu-
sion. When Meryon went to the prince
FOR his farewell interview, he was half
minded to proclaim and put himself ut
the head of revolution, depose his
highness. and assume his throne. The
odds were in favor OF such move be-
ing successful Meryon finally resolved
against it, from reluctance to be left
with a kingdom on his hands SO tar
from New York, and with the home
policy still SO strong against anneXa-
tions. He afterward was sorry he had
been so fastidious.
He found the prince entirely alone
divested for the moment even of his
Nubians. He produced a writing done
in minute characters on very thin
tissue, setting forth that the bearer
was the trusted friend of the under
signed and going on to describe the
situation and demand help. When
Meryon had finished reading this his
highness drew from the folds of his
robe a small gold box richly orna-
mented, and opened it. There lay
huge ruby, about two inches in length,
and shaped like Il much elongated egg.
Meryon could not repress an eXclam-
alton of surprise: such a stone was
never before seen: it could not be bought
Cor a room full of rupees.
The prince twisted it between his
fingers. and it came apart; it had been
cut in two and followed out, and the
parts made to screw together. The
letter was now rolled up and inserted
,nto this precious box; so there was
vast fortune and a message of life and
death all done up in parcel the size of
mans little finger. The prince
handed it to Meryon.
DO you expect me to take the re-
sponsibility of Juggling a bomb-shell
like that about the country?" demanded
the latter recoiling.
Death is powerless against him who
carries it, replied the other. 1T is
talisman, the greatest treasure of my
dynasty; till now no unbeliever has
ever seen it; judge then of the conf
dence / repose in you! When you arrive
here with the army of my ally and give
me back the hollow ruby, I will in re-
turn give you my other greatest treas
ure-my daughter, the princess Terah-
10 be the bride of your heart and the
queen of your harem."
This old pouter-pigeon," said Mer-
yon to himself, has been smart enough
TO see that by putting me upon honor
he can get the best of me. He has me
on toast. / must countermand the
orders for the elopement, and play
straight ball These orientals are too
much for us after all. Kismet! Hand
it over, then" he added aloud, as if the
precious object We're a chocolate cara
mel.
How will you carry it?" asked his
highness.
"In my waistcoat pocket, of course"
replied the American, nonchalantly
stuffing it into that receptacle.
Perhaps it is as well So" said his
hghness, thoughtfully. "If danger
threatens you can readily swallow it,"
he added. Remember, Meryon Pacha.
1t is worth the ransom of kingdom"
What? this thing"' exclaimed Mer-
yon, slapping his pocket with a con-
temptuous smile. BLESS you, the boys
where / come from use things like this
for sinkers when they go fishing!
Good-byr'
On returning to his apartments he
sent for F,bal tic tell him of his changed
purposes. The boy was not to be
found. The hour for starting came.
and still no Ebal. After waiting till
the last possible moment he was forced