The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-06-13

a costume among the guests would con
fuse the conspirators. Mr.. Barnes had
fully decided that moro than ono person
was interested in the approaching oven
ing
AS early as O'Clock the maskcrs he
gan to arrive at tho homo Of the Van
Rawlstons The host appeared for the
time iii evening dress and received and
welcomed his guests, all Of whom wore
wraps that covered their costumes, thus
hiding the DISCUSSES which they meant
to use later on. Mr. Barnes was on hand
early and loitered about the hall in his
thief garb, scanning the faces of all as
they passed in After Il very brief period
Of waiting ho saw the RenseA party
alight from their carriago, escorted 10y
Mr. Randolph. Soon after Mr. Ihauret
entered He handed noto to Mr. Van
RawlSton, who upon reading it at once
shook him cordially by the hand Then
almost us Snddenly an expression Of sus
picion passed across his face, and he
looked toward Mr. Barnes, who, how
ever, turned away, refusing 10 notice
his glance Of inquiry. Evidently the
host not knowing Mr., Thauret and re-
membering the detectives words, had
begun to suspect that perhaps the motto
which he had Just read was fraudulent
Mr.. Barnes was fearful that he would
make some remark which would ruin
everything, when TO his intense relief
Miss Remscn came into the hall with
her wraps still on and went directly up
to Mr. Thaurct
"How arc you this evening, Mr..
Thaurctf AIN glad you decided to
come. Mr., Van Rawlston, Mr. Thauret
is friend Of Mr. Mitchel's. -
That suGiced, aud Mr.. Van Rawlston
/ seemed much relieved
! Mr. Thaurct was not III costume, but
/ he had brought with him satchel, and
t now asked where he might find place
to dress. He was turned over to ono OF
the livericd boys, who showed him e
| one Of the rooms set aside for the gen
tlemen. Mr. Barnes did not enter, fol-
j
) mask it might have aroused suspicion
He, however, kept watch near the door
\ and soon saw man como out dressed
/ as Ali Baba This was easily learned
{ for tho committee had prepared hand
J some badges, upon each Of which Wa.
engraved the name of the character as
t sumed These were Of FURNISHED silver
4 the lettering being done in blue enamel
They were worn on the left breast ant
4 were intended to serve rs souvenirs q
the evening. Mr.. Barnes smiled behn'
his mask as he looked down at his
d which, 10 his mind, reminded him Of
$ policeman shield.
, The rooms were gOrgeously decorate,
a in oriental splendor The larger ON,
r was designated the sultan's palace ant
. was truly regal in its arrangement
There were no chairs, but SOFT iiva1s
G and many hucd alluring cushions Wer
10 be found everywhere around tn
walls Tho floors were covered with rug
, four deep Tho walls were draped wit
Q satin, drawn apart to reveal mirror
" which multiplied the beauty Of every
II thing. The ceiling was hung with gar
Il lands. in which were twined roses Of al
| kinds, which made tho atmosphere redo
Ii lent with perfume. From among thes
!, garlands hundreds Of gildod cages he'll
l. singing birds, and electric lights mad
the rooms so brilliant that many time
o during the evening they warbled /
v chorus, thinking it morning
" Tho smaller room represented Alad
D? din's cave. Stalactitcs, respondent wit
E seeming jewels, hung pendent from tn
ie ceiling The walls were made to resen
" BILE rough stone, and every few inches
it large precious stone was made fiery b
" the tiny electric lamp hidden behind i
" Tho floor alone was unlike acayc bein
10 waxcd for dancing IN groito, up tc
w feet above the huor the musicians pla,
70 Cd soft, scnsuOus music.
Tho festival opened informally
1t is, while awaiting the arrival Of other
70 those already present amused thclnsely'
- waltzing, chatting or chatting one anutl
- cr MIR Barnes sauntered about, kcopu
- Ali Bahia IN sight s5ehehcrczdr can
in on tho arm Of the sultau These
knew to be Miss Rcmscu and Mr.. Vi
no RaWlston. Ali Bahia joined them alma
Immediately, and few minutes lat
led Scheherc7adc into Aladdiu's cay
for dance Mr. Barnes stood otseryii
them, when some one touched him {
a the arm, and turning he saw man co
70 tuned rs himself.
"Wo must be careful or Ali Baba ID,
g. discover our password, Sesame, as
SIS did in the real story.
y. II do not understand you, rcplit
no Mr.. Barnes.
ch Tho other man looked at him intent
,rt moment through his mask, aud wit
an ont word moved away.
Mr.. Barnes was mysthcd. He rcgrC
fer ted that he had not replied III some lc
n candid fashion that he might have hoa
20 the voice again. But taken by surpri
as be was, he had lost bis self pusscssi
We for a moment. If he were not mistake
Is the voice was one which he had hea
all before. He raclled his memory for Goi
ish minutes, and suddenly started as q
he thought entered his mind.
to "Were he not sick in Philadelphia
i, should say that was Mitchell. " He f
,lv lowed across the room after the perst
In but he saw him 90 ont into the hall, a