The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-02-19
CHAPTER \.

RlXhl ltNS "44n - hS5A<>-' O-~-S'
The head Of a man is outlined in
the window features invisible. for
It Is only a silhoutte against the
background formed by the moonlight
without. Evidently the unknown has
some of the climbing qualities of an
ape. since he has clambered up the
face of wall ten feet in height, aided
by only few running vines.
Mynheer Joe shuts his teeth togeth-
er with click, and then, turning part
IL over. coolly watches the window.
not forgetting to breathe regularly, as
a sleeping person might.
The head remains stationary for per-
hans minute, and it is evident that
the man is bending his ear to listen
eagerly. Then the head vanishes once
more.
Joe takes advantage of the respite
to change his position still more. as
cunning one where he can concentrate
ar his muscles into giving a tremen-
dous leap. Then he calmly awaits
the turn Of events.
Before long the head reappears
again, this time seeming to have more
confidence than on previous OCCASIONS
Nor does the man stop thcre-his
shoulders appear and gradually he
pushes his way up over the sill Of the
window. All, he Is coming in, this
unlimited guest!
Now he has passed the Rubicon and
crouches upon the foor-Joe can just
see him in the moonlight and at the
same time notes another fact that fills
him with wonder. A second head
has bobbed up beyond the line of the,
sill. Again he has the dark silhouette
against the light background.
"Confusionr thinks the traveller.
"Are my apartments about to be in
vaded by an army? Has Ell Mahdi
sent his advance guard against Cairo.
or are they just common, everyday
robbers bent on plunder"
He is not the man to lose time in
useless speculation. Precious seconds
are passing, and something must be
done at once ere more Of his unknown
enemies gain the room.
Fortunately this man S accustomed
to meeting emergencies, and thinks
very little of it under ordinary cir
cumstances. His plan Of action is
very simple and characteristic of his
nature.
The recumbent form upon the couch
becomes imbued with sudden life. It
is as If steel springs have been given
to it, A stone could not be shot from
a catapult with greater rapidity than
he passes through space.
There is hardly sound to indicate
his coming, and the crouching wretch
upon the floor cannot have sufficient
warning to get out Of the way. He
hears rushing noise, and then some
thing falls upon him, just as the eagle
swoops on its prey.
A brief struggle ensues, during
which the unknown emits several cries
s-of rage. The man at the window
hardly knows what to do. as he cam
not tell the exact status of things in
side. but believing his assistance may
be needed he starts to crawl over the
sill.
$-At this instant something comes
against him with crushing force. 1t
Is the body Of his companion, whom
,Nynheer Joe has bodily raised. with
all the strength Of his powerful arms.
and tossed toward the opening.
This conclusion proves too much for
tfhe fellow who is in the act Of clam
,bering in. He looses his hold, clutches
at the body Of his companion. and,
locked in each others arms. they go
plunging down to the flags below. Joe
hears the thud of their fall, and i'm
mediately looks out of the window.
He sees writhing mass below. Then
a man scrambles to his feet and scut-
ties across the open, looking more like
d sknlking jackal than aught else.
a groan from below. The second
fellow is picking himself up now. He,
too, moves Off with painful limp. as'
though his fall has given him cause
for suffering. Mynheer Joe laughs
aloud in q mocking way.
Come again. my friends! The latch
string is always out" he calls softly;
There is no answer. And the sec
ond skulking form hides itself, as did
the first, among the shadows on the
other side Of the plaza. !
1.-THE traveller still leans from his
window and ponders. There is some
thing about this business that puzzles
him, and causes his brow to assume
a serious. thoughtful expression. What
did these men seek-his money or his
life? The first thought is, Of course.
that they We're ordinary robbers. Cairo
swarms with them in spite Of military
precaution; and there is no more cum
ming thief in the world than he of
Egypt-he can give his fellows all
over the globe points and beat them.
s second idea that has flashed into