The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-06-08
Copyright 1902 by Robert Howard
Russell)

(COCyTiElI, lSU-, ny IAoDSAS -
Russell.)
Rcxford first caught sight of him lean
ing lazily against a wooden pillar at the
entrance to the Streets Of Mexico, and
paused, fascinated, as the glance Of those
smiling, inscrutable Egyptian eyes tell
carelessly upon him. There was GER
tain expression OF power, half-oehant'
wholly confident. on the handsome, 1or-
eign face which decided Rexford almost
1rresistibility He detached himself from
the light-hearted throng surgins along
the Midway, and allowed himself to drift
in at the entrance to the Mexican village.
.'cassia nuts! Three for ten cents.
Here's your cassia nuts waiting for you.
Sir
A young. English girl with bright,
tHrt9.lfke face held out her hands IA
him heaped with pungent, brown nuts.
There was something so frankly insolent,
40 honestly dishonest In the girls face.
that Rexford dropped some silver IN her
hand with smile.
Keep your wares for those who like
Them said he, and was about TO pass
on when the girl said saucily.
mo tips allowed, Sir, It's against the
rules" with {. crafty wink. but I'll give
Won a quarters worth OF information.
See that Egyptian over there by the gate
Heas the best thing on the Midway. he
can tell your name. and all your past
a:,n future. I'll give you back your
money II he doesn't Some persons say
he's the devil himself.
"A Mexican toreador came glitterlng
along the street, and paused to hold a
brief Irritation In broken English with
thu merry casSta vendor. ReNford turn
ing away In amusement suddenly found
himself face to face with the handsome
Egyptian. For an instant the wonderful
Oriental ewes met his own. and then
soft, caressing voice said:
you do not believe in me and my art,
but am genuine Monsieur. / tell only
the truth. Come with me. and you shall
see
He led the way into a small booth cur
Z fatned off from the street. and brilliantly
lit by a single aaring bulb of electricity
. ..If Monsieur cares to write his name
and any question he may wlsh 70 ASK,
sba!I read them for him. See. 1 do not
look. and he placed his hands ostenta-
tiously before his eyes
Rexford, more amused and interested
than he world have believed possible.
wrote his name and question obedlen'ly,
At the Egyptians command he folded the
hit of paper into a tiny packet and
pressed 1t against the foreigners dusky
forehead with his finger.
Monsieur must write as he has writ
t.n IN his mind said the Egyptian He
,n,,st think of what he has Just written
and his thought Will travel down his fin
ger and write itself upon my brain. as he
vii, see for himself.
The curios unprecedented eyes of the
foreigner flashed their wonderful. myster-
ioYs intelligence and beauty straight down
into the clear, skeptical ones before
him.
..And still Monsieur dsbelieves. dis
trusts me- said the Egyptian. Wait
] shall show you. Spell your name in
YOUR mind. and then ask me silently the
question you have written. and you shall
Zee I am no impostor.
There was a long silence during which
the cool. slender. nervous hand Of the
Egyptian held The frm. white one OF the
American, the finger of whose other
Rand pressed lightly the tiny fold OF
paper against the Egyptians forehead.
your name is Thomas Graham Rex
ford" said the Egyptian, slowly, and
the question you have asked me is
when shall I see her?' Is 1t not SO.
Monsieur"
Rexford assented in surprise. and the
bit OF paper fell UNDECIDED to the ground
..you have asked me difficult aues-
t1on. Monsieur went on the Egyptian.
calmly. There are curious conditions
which msy prevent my success but I
I shall do my best Put Your hands upon
xpy soEShead %. and think Of nothing.