The indicator., 1904-06-18

together this very day"
"Is he richr'
II know not. | did not come to talk
of him. But let us get to our business.
Did you not sell to Ignatz Biartelkis
certain portion Of your cargoy"
Allah! Mohammedl Is it the daugh-
ter OF Biartelkis OF whom you speakT
'The same. The prince of Bokhara
desires her for his wife. and of my own
knowledge she ID promised to be the
wife OF Captain Orskoff. But We can
secure the girl for the prince. and
thousand pieces of gold will fall mys-
teriously into your pocket"
''Oh. thou great and willy dealer in
fair women, tell me how l can obtain
this rich rewardr'
is It not possible that somewhere
in this vessel are goods that have been
overlooked and that Biartelkis would
buyr'
"You menn-that I am to say that
such is the case?"
Exactly. You know that his daugh-
ter always accompanies him to pur-
chase goods"
go to the bazaar. The bands are
still playing. There is still life in the
fair. for 1t is not yet midnight. Tell
Biartelkis that you have discovered
some of the finest linen hidden in the
bottom of the vessel and that you must
start from here before morning. as an
important business demands you at
Astrakhan."
by the beardl know not what
plan you have, but q thousand pieces
Of gold are not picked up in q year.
What will you do In the meantimsT'
await you here"
every well. will CO."
Hassan put aside his ordinary gar
ments and replaced them with his best,
which he always wore to the bazaars.
He bade Hatiz adieu and walked away.
Ignatz Biartelkis was about to close
his bazaar when the well known figure
Of Hassan walked in.
My friend" said Hassan, II havs
come In great hurry to see you. It
could have been nothing but the great
lovely daughter that would bring me
here at this hour. But as l was about
to sail for the Caspian l discovered In
the bottom Of my vessel bales Of the
finest linen-better even than brought
you last-from the looms of that far
country In the north that makes the
finest linen. 1t was not, like the last,
assigned to you. but was placed on
board for me to sell to any one who
would purchase. do not wish to tar
ry till the morning, for have q cargo
awaiting me at Astrakhan. have al
ready got my vessel in readiness to
sail, and the men are having their last
good sleep until we reach the Caspian.
thought of you, as you have been my
friend. You have made many pur-
chases. VIII you not come and look at
the linen, that l may at once set sailr'
''But it is night" said Biartelkis. In
the morning will see it"
Nay, l cannot walt. have Just
time to reach Astrakhan to take this
cargo, which will be a rich one."
81 must call my daughter. 1t il her
delight to accompany me and examine
goods and make purchases"
He called Koura. Hassan gulped
down an exclamation as he saw hR
beauty.
"What is 1t, fatherY'
''This good Hassan, who brought %
opme of our best goods. is about to
Start for the Caspian and has discov-
Ged in his vessel some of the finest
We go look at 1t. II we do not, some
one else will get it. 1t is late, and the
wharfs are dangerous. What do you
nay"
"As for the lateness of the hour, II
must not interfere with good pur-
chase. Hassan can walk the wharfs,
and with him we should be safe"
"Well spoken" said Hassan.
They were soon ready to start The
streets Of the fair were almost desert
Cd. The last band had stopped its
hlare, and the lights were being eIt1n-
&1ished in the bazaars. The coffee
houses alone showed signs of life. The
merchant accompanied Hassan to the
wharf and on board his vessel. He led
them to the cabin and offered wine.
Biartelkis sat In the cabin and his
dughter near him. Hassan, looking
over the merchants shoulder, saw the
ngure of Hafiz EGendi. He obeyed q
agnal.
Permit me to depart and bring the
Hnen," said he and walked out.
at is strange. father" koura was
Rying, that I see no evidence that
Hassan has made preparations to start.
No sail is raised"
HE told me the men were taking q
spod sleep before starting. BELIEVE
A scarf was thrown around Koura's
mouth and her eyes were blinded with
fplds Of silk. She heard groan from
her father as Hafiz Enendi rushed up
On him and buried dagger in his
heart
"Quick! Fasten the girl! Bring me
ropes" he whispered to Hassan. who
WAS Mortified at the terrible act
He realized that he was now in the
power of Hafz Efrendi. for the murder
had been done on his boat and be had
lured the merchant to his doom. He
elently obeyed, and the girl was bound
md placed upon divan. Then with
deft fingers they wound cloths around
the body Of the merchant. weighted 1t
with stones and hurled 1t into the river.
: .Now.' said Hafiz Effendi in his
blandest tones, "listen and obey the re-
mainder Of my commands"
at is horr1bler' said Hassan. II did
not think"-
'Harken, fool! II you are found with
this girl on your boat, you will be
shot II Biartelkis is missed, as he
sarely VIII Va who visitsd his bazaar