The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-05-08

Bimbashi, savagely.
The prisoner smiled gently and
stroked his beard.
"Oh, chuck the internal thing
away cried Joyce, jumping up in q
passion. There's no use trying to
bluff the fellow. He knows we wont
do it. But | can and will fog him,
and you tell him from me that if he
hasn't found his tongue by tomorrow
morning I'll take the skin off his back
as sure as my names Joyce. Have
you said all that?"
Eyes, sir
"Well, you can sleep upon it, you
beauty, and a good nights rest may
it give you,'
He adjourned the court, and the
prisoner, as imperturbable as ever,
was led away by the guard to his sup
per of rice and water.
Hilary Joyce was a kind-hearted
man, and his own sleep was consider
ably disturbed by >he prospect OF
the punishment which he must in
dict the next day He had hopes that
The mere sight of the koorbash and
the thongs might prevail over his
prisoners obstinacy And then, again,
he thought how shocking it would be
if the man proved to be really dumb
after all. The possibility shook him
so that he had almost determined by
daybreak that he would send the
stranger on unhurt to Assouan. And
yet what tame conclusion it would
be to the incident He lay upon his
angareeb still debating it when the
question suddenly and effectively set
tied itself. Ali Mahomet rushed into
his tent.
Sir" he cried, 1.-The prisoner is
gone!'' i
Gomez
Eyes, sir, and your own best riding
camel as we'll. There is slit cut in
the tent, and he got away unseen in
the early morning"
The Bimbashi acted with all en-
ergy. Cavalry rode along every track;
scouts examined the soft sand of the
wadys for signs of the fugitive, but
no trace was discovered. The man
had utterly disappeared. With
heavy heart, Hilary Joyce wrote an
official report of the matter and for
warded it to Assouan. Five days later
there came curt order from the chief
that he should report himself there.
He feared the worst from the stern
soldier, who spared others as little as
he spared himself.
And the worst forebodings were
realized. Travel-stained and weary,
he reported himself one night at the
generals quarters. Behind a table
piled with papers and strewn with
maps the famous soldier and his Chief.
of Intelligence were deep in plans and
figures. Their greeting was a cold
one.
Il understand, Captain Joyce" said
the general, that you have allowed a
very important prisoner to slip
through your hands"
81 am sorry, sir
mo doubt. But that will not mend
matters. Did you ascertain anything
about him before you lost him?'
mo, sir
''How was that?"
81 could get nothing out of him,
sir
"Did you try?"
yes, sir: l did what l could"
What did you dO?"
well. sir 1 threatened to use
physical force"
what did he say?'
"He said nothing" 30
What was he like?
"a tall man. sir. Rather a desper-
ate character | should think"
'Any way by which we could iden-
tify him?"
"a long, black beard, sir. Gray
eyes. And nervous way of twitching
his face"
"Wel, Captain Joyce" said the
general in his stern, inheXible voice,
81 cannot congratulate you upon your
first exploit in the Egyptian army.
You are aware that every English Of
ficer in this force is a picked man. /
have the whole British army from
which to draw 1t is necessary, there
fore, that l should insist upon the
very highest efficiency. 1t would be
unfair upon the others to pass over
any Obvious want of zeal or inteli-
gence. You are seconded from the
Royal Mallows, l understand"
Yes sir.
81 have no doubt that your colonel
will be glad to see you fulfilling your
regimental duties again.
Hilary Joyce's heart was too heavy
for words. He was silent.
81 will let you know my final de-
cision tomorrow morning
Joyce salutcd and turned upon his
heel.
you can sleep upon that you beau
ty, and a good mighty rest may it
Where had those words been used be
fore? Who was it who had used
them?
The general was standing erect.
Beth he and the Chief of the Intelli-
genCe We're laughing. Joyce stared
ut the tai figure, tho erect bearing,
the inscrutablc gray eyes.
Good Lord" he gaspcd.
'Wcll, well, CAPTAIN Joyce, we are
quits." said the general, holding out
his hand. you gave mo Il bad ten
minutes with that internal red-hot
horseshoe Of yours. I've done as
much for you. | don't think we can
spare YOU for the Royal MalloWs just
yet awhile
But, sir; but"
'The fewer questions The better,
perhaps. But, of course. it must seem
rather amazing. / had a little pri-
waite business with the Kabbabish. 1t
must be done in person. / did it, and
came to your post in my return. ]
kept on winking at You as a sign that
| wanted word with you alone"
Yes, yes l begin to understand"
81 couldn't give it away before all
those blacks, or where should | have
been the next time ! used my false
beard and Arab dress? You put me
in q very awkward position. But at
last I had a word alone with your
Egyptian officer, who managed my
escape all right
"Hei Mahomct Alp"
at ordered him TO saw potIoiuc