Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-07-12
desfres her rol his Mife and of mI

fair women, tell me how can obtain
this rich rewardr'
us 1t not possible that somewhere
In this vessel are goods that have been
overlooked and that Biartelkis would
buy?'
"You mean-that am to say that
such is the case?"
Exactly. You know that his daugh-
ter always accompanies him to pur-
chase goods"
II know. Well, what thenY
go to the bazaar. The bands are
still playing. There is still life in the
fair, for it is not yet midnight. Tell
Blartelkis 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 beard! I know not what
plan. you have, but thousand pieces
Of gold are not picked up in year.
What will you do in the -meantilne!'
await you here"
very Wen. Will 60.
Hassan put aside his ordinary gar
ments and replaced them with his best,
which he always wore to the bazaars.
BE babe Hafiz 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, "I> have
come In great hurry to see you. 1t
could have been nothing but the great
admiration l have for you and your
lovely daughter that would bring me
here at this hour. But as was about
to sail for the Caspian discovered in
the bottom of my vessel bales of the
finest linen-better even than l 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
~ till the morning, for have a 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. Will you not come and look at
the linen, that 1 may at once set sail?"
"Rut it is night" said Biartelkis. "In
the morning I will see it.
NAY, cannot wait. l have just
time to reach Astrakhan to take this
cargo, which will be rich one.'
II must call my daughter. 1t is her
delight to accompany me and examine
goods and make purchases"
He called Koura. Hassan gulped
down an exclamation as he saw her
beauty.
''What.i is 1t, father?"
"This good Hassan, who brought us
some of our best goods. is about to
start for the Caspian and has discov-
cred In his vessel some Of the finest
linen he brought to sell. He asks that
we go look at 1t. II we do not, some
one else will get it. It is late, and the
wharfs are dangerous. What do you
sayr'
''As for the lateness Of the hour, it
must not interfere with a 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
ed. The last band had stopped it's
blare, and the lights were being extin-
guished 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
daughter near him. Hassan. looking
over the merchants shoulder, saw the
figure Of Hafis Effendi. He obeyed a
signal.
Permit me to depart and bring the
Nnen." said he and walked out.
1T ia strange, father" Koura was
saying, that see no evidence that
Hassan has made preparations to start.
No sail Is raised"
"He told me the men were taking a
good sleep before starting. believe
A scarf was thrown around Koura's
mouth and her eyes were blinded with
folds Of silk. She heard groan from
her father as Hafiz Effendi rushed up
on him and buried dagger in his
heart.
"Quick! Fasten the girl! Bring me
ropesw he whispered to Hassan, who
was Mortified at the terrible act
He realized that he was now in the
power Of Hafiz Effendi, for the murder
had been done on his boat and he had
lured the merchant to his doom. He
silently obeyed, and the girl was bound
and placed upon diyan. Then with
deft fingers they wound cloths around
the body Of the merchant. weighted 1t
with stones and hurled It into the river.
Now" said Hafiz Hffendi in his
blandest tones, "listen and obey the re-
mainder of my commands"
ut is horrlble1' said Hassan. II did
not think"-
"Harken. fool! II you are found with
this girl on your boat, you will be
shot. If Biartelkis is missed, as he
surely will be, who visited his bazaar
to sell him linen that did not exist? It
will be to your advantage to go, and
60 at once"
II am in a trap" said Hassan des-
perately, land must obey"
keep the girl where she will not be
discovered. Sail as rapidly as possible
to the Caspian and search for vessel
OF the Persian type, which will be sail
ing without any direction or lying at
anchor. Her masters name is Kara
kali When you have found him, your
duty Is done. Deliver the girl into his