The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-11-27
CHAPTER xxIv-(COntinued.)

Il 20 no further Sdld the S4iN' -
somewhat alarmed at being in the pres
ence of an armed man at night III 50
lonely a spot. and with one, moreover
who coveted the camel so dearly.
1T is far enough" said the prince
She rides well. / am pleased.
she is sound and strong. MoFeoNe''
she gives excellent milk.
The Russian dropped the money llto
the lank hand. The native drove ms
filled Dalm into his burnouse. deposltng
the treasure safely over ms Heat =
'.salaam aIeikum!" said he, seizing the
others hand and kissing II.
.'Aleikum IS salaam! responded the
prince.
They parted. They had not separated
far. how ever. when the sheik came rum
ming over the narrow trail, beseechins
in tones of some apprehension. Mas
Ter Ne said. promise that thou shalt
not tell any man from whom thou pur-
chased the beast. l shall report that she
wandered away in the night, and l shah
go on a three days search for her.
~Wm thy master believe that lie
think vou?' said the prince, with SIN
lister glance. smelling the mouse.
The sheik tried 10 say something, but
his guilty conscience failed him.
Go tc your master and tell him the
truth" said Bardon. Tell him that
you met a man i'm the armed costume or
the Khalifa's guards and that he need
ed a camel, that he gave thee thirty
gold pieces for il. which is twice what
the camel is worth. Give him the
money, and thou myself shalt have still
thirty, and so save thy neck.
Good counsel" said the sheik. But
first l shall Try the other ruse. i shall
tell him that the beast wandered away.
II he takes the loss hard, which he VIII
not. for he is a rich man, he Will give
me a few stripes for my negligence and
kick me ont OF his service. / shall then
make for the south, where / hear that
men are scarce and wages high, mas
ter"
1T is nothing TO me-" said the prince.
Il swear that / shall hold my tongue
so do as YOU deem best. Remember,
however, there is a God, and Mohammed
Is His prophet. Good night!'
The sheik turned away with bowed
head.
Southwark over the trail the solitary
man took his way with all haste. When
ne had reached lonely spot at safe
distance from the city, he dismOunted,
tethered his camel and lay down, 10 rest
for a short time.
II was quite daybreak when the trav-
eler reached the region OF the cave
monastery. and secreting himself and
his beast in a thick ambush OF dohn
reeds and intertangling mimosa trees,
he gave his camel and himself "A day :
rest In preparation for the terrible Jour
ney
At nightfau Of the third day after his
departure Prince Bardoff mounted the
eHn where he had had the encounter Of
his life with the MahdisJ emIri and there
he let down a double rope. and made
the slow and perllOus descent over the
rocky ledge.
Dorothy was finishing her evening
meal when she caught a glipmse Of that
familiar face framed in the rOck-bound
port at her side. and uttered cry u
welcome. The patriarch who stood De-
side her in silence staggered back as II
some miracle had been performed in the
sacred stiffness. Then he saw The
stranger climbing into the cave from
his dangerous position.
God be with thee. father, SAID the
breathless prince. reverently.
And with my son.. RESPONDED the pa
triarch. with gravity.
Barioh, painting and yet triumphant,
leaped down and clasped Dorothy
hands. tremblingly. 1T is all arranged. %
ne said II have d good camel and
plenty OF provisions. We shall start
for suakim Immediately"
Dorothy returned the hearty pressure.
She could hardly speak for Joy.
The prince turned 10 the old man.
Holy father" began the Russian,
need 1 say 1 believe that what thou
hast done ia the name OF God for His
child viii be recorded In high heaven TO
thy everlasting glory and honor. Wilt
thou honor me by naming some good
deed which I may perform in thy be-
bali when ! shall have gained civillza-
ton agaiu-some token by which ] may
express 10 God and 10 thee the gratitude
IN my heart for thy goodness"
The old man trembled. SEEING the
younger TOR support, ne said YES. my
son. Go thou 10 the holy chapel Of St
Anthony OF the Desert in ST Peters
burg. and lay before the grand patriarch
a gilt which shall represent al least a
tenth part OF thy possessions. Tell the
supreme primate the story OF thy COM
ing and thy going. Grave his blessing
Tor AS; and daily for "a month before the
altar of the Virgin DO homage in our
behalf With this well performed, God
shall ahsolye us all and thou shalt have
everlasting favor from on high. VIII
thou do H. my SON. wilt thou do as
command theer"
ron my life. holy father" answered
the prince kneelng and pressing fer
vently the chill finger tips 10 his lips
Before God i pledge thee it shall Doe
performed with All humility and graft
tude OF spirit 90 the very letter"
Amen and amen. moaned the an
chorite, and the prince arose.
Dorothy had bound the rope about
her, and stood trembling Ike a bird
upon "a crag, eager for flight Bardon
examined the knots 80 make sure OF
their security. then started 10 leap int,
the window, but suddenly two long. laul
arms We're about him. there was Z
Misunderstanding moan. and upon the as
tonished feature Of the prince the fac,
OF the monk. Wet with tears, was press
I'D. and "a score OF kisses rained upor
them.
10 was "A strange rite. and poor Bar
don was nonplussed; but with chok
ing cry ne babe farewell 10 the hoI,
man, whose emotion oyercame him, and
swung loose. going up the steep de