The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-15
CHAPTER x.
HOW CAME THIS?

II proved to be a bare hall contain
ing only carpet. we'll worn by the
knees OF the faithful At the right
angle stood a kind OF cup OF vase OF
gray marble without any apparent open
ing. One of the dervishes explained,
through the medium OF Virgil. that it
received questions and gave forth the
answers of the oracle. but that he
sacred formula must first be uttered 10
propitiate the spirit within
The two dervishes. then prostratinE
themselves on the carpet. lifted their
hands above their heads and said an
Arabic prayer together.
Virgil repeated IL slowly. so that his
master might articulate each word with
him. which the young man did. not with
out evident fmpatience.
Now" said the dervish that took the
lead. "let the stranger lord address
himself directly to sidi Mohammed-
Jeraib."
What a pity the oracle cannot speak
French said Norbert in an aside.
Il can speak French" answered
sepulchral voice. issuing apparently
from the bottom OF the cup.
This unexpected manifestation so
tonished the visitors that they were
speechless for 2 moment
sid Northumberland said Nor
bert. since you know French so well.
we can talk freely. l am in need OF
your powerful aid to obtain the neces-
sary means of transport from the tribe
OF Cherofa. your beloved daughter. VIII
you help me?"
At the name OF the saint the two
lighted censers hanging from their
sashes. and swung them to and fro. A
thin thread OF smoke rose up. filled
the hall with a penetrating perfume
The voice of the marble cup answered.
You must first tell me what has
brought you TO the soudan, and what
end you have in view"
The young astronomer could not re-
sist an involuntary gesture OF aston
ishment. while his travelling companions
drew nearer TO hear the interesting dia-
Iogue.
After an instants hesitation. Nor
bert thought ne had better continue the
conversation.
Il have come he replied. Ito study
the wonders OF the heavens. and for this
purpose I mean TO erect an observa-
cory on the tabIeland OF TehbaIi."
You are not telling the whole truth. %
replied the oracle. You have a more au-
dacious scheme in view, / am omnis-
Client Nothing escapes me. 1 know the
present. the rRst. and the future. Shall
I prove IL 10 you by saying what you
seek on the hill of Tehbali?"
Say on" said Norbert.
You have come hither 10 contend
against the eternal laws that regulate
the universe. You have the presump-
tion 70 aim al suspending the course Of
the moon. 10 attract IL 10 the earth. and
render 1t accessible TO human cupidity,
THAT is your seDseless scheme, But !
here tell you that IL will not succeed
Norbert and Sir Bucephalus looked at
each other IN amazement. Was Il pos
sible that their secret had been violated ?
How could the pretended oracle know
f.?
The only explanation they could think
of that one OF the commissioners
left behind at Suakim must have been
fndiscreet and the betrayed secret.
travelling faster than the caravan. had
preceded Il 10 Rhadamen. II was in
deed astonishing 20 meet with IL here.
through the invisible agency Of an intel
ligence that could speak French. and
whose voice issued from a marble vase.
Well" said Norbert, imperiously. II
you know our scheme, you also know
that It IL in nowise inimieal 10 the Arab
people Yes or no; will you help US to
the necessary means OF transport
Il will" said the oracle.
Thea, suddenly eondescending 10
earthly details. IL continued:
You must pay IN advance ten piastres
a head for every man or beast and in
seven days the 500 camels you require
shall await you. with their guides. un-
der the walls OF Suakim."