Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-05-31

ing's naturally 1.-THE habit OF body had
known an English public school and
university training. The result Of the
conflict was still uncertain when the
professor suddenly loosed his hold and
fell back, leaving the prize OF conten-
ton, the led camel, almost in the o.h-
er's clutch. Harding stopped TO seize
the creatures halter and rose again TO
lind himself covered by his antagonists
revolver.
"Now, perhaps" the man of science
observed. you will consent 20 hear
reason. No use. my good friend" Is
Hardng's hand went briskly to his
breast pocket. ~ drew the charge while
you were asleep this morning, In view
of possible difficulties. You see know
something Of your strange English
character. There Is nothing like be-
irt ready for difilcultiesas they arise"
Dick Harding. under the covering re-
volver. stood erect and-dumb. To argue
further with a man prepared TO com
init murder on behalf of his tablets Of
baked clay were simple waste of breath.
Keeping the muzzle Of his weapon
! pointed full at Hardings breast, Prof.
! Kirkhoffer mounted his camel. made
both his great beasts get up and began
TO move off. As long as Harding re-
manned within running distance he con-
tinued TO hold the revolver raised and
leveled, sitting sideways on his animal
TO insure an accurate aim. But after q
minute the camels broke into long,
awkward trot; in two minutes they
were beyond pursuit.; three-and the
professor pocketed his iirearm and
threw his leg across the saddle. Your
own fault, rememberl" was his final
greeting before he disappeared over the
top of the nearest sand-dune.
When he had disappeared Handing
looked about him, reviewing the situa-
ton. 1t was no cheering prospect that
met his eye; a dead waste of sand-hills
TO north. south. east and west, white
hot In the glare Of the tropical sun.
Two dark blotches alone broke the pale
surface of the wilderness-the stiffen-
ing bulk Of the dead camel and the limp
figure Of the fever-stricken camel
driver. Truly no pleasant place 10
die in; more especially If you happen
/. 10 be young and strong, and the death
20 which you stand condemned is death
by hunger and thirst. A few hours
would exhaust the scanty remains OF
food and water left in the skin and sad
dle-bag lying hard by the dead camel
and then
Harding shook of anticipations oil
] al - l. l..
wretched commissariat. and, rummag
ing the bag, found a priceless treasure
nothing less than an untouched bottle
Of quininel Why. with this he NIGH
hope TO revive the Khirgiz, whose case
but Cor the supposed exhaustion Of the
, expeditions medicine chest. had nevel
been a serious one. Escape was ye
I possible.
Escape? From O trackless wilder
! ness in which they could only wande
! to and fro, having no single instru
ment by which to determine their pc
q sition or point the way2 Saving hi
assistants pack. the professor had car
n ried off every thing.
. No. not everything. Even as thi
, thought sank like stone into Hard
I, ing's heart his eye fell upon something
glittering at his foot. With shakin
hand he grasped it, lifted it-and brok
into q cry Of mingled triumph an
thanksgiving, which startled the Xiii
p giz from his lethargy. Pushing bac
n his long hair, the man made an effoa
4 TO sit up.
= THE master? Where is the MASTER
: he asked. looking about him in SUI
i prise.
n Harding laughed grimly. "Heave
alone knows, since be has left his con
= pass here"
n And heaven alone knows TO this hou
/ the course of the wretched Kirkhoffer
wauderings. When Harding and th
O Khirgiz, guided by the instrumer
which he had dropped in his scufii
Il with the Englishman, reached. aft'
N manifold tolls and sufferings, the col
fines of human habitation they coul
n obtain no tidings of their vanishe
chief And although Harding inslste
II on organizing new expedition
r search for him. its labors were frui
n less.
His fate remains as unknown 10 Il
g. world as the history Of that aneiei
empire whose records lie buried wit
,r him in the sands OF central Asia--Ch
cago Record.