davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-14

used. But in the hand of the dead man we
found something that might be useful to
us. Perhaps you would like to see It.
Lord Ravenspur intimateo that he should
From a pocketbook Dallas produced pho
tograph, carte de visite size, which had
been torn into half a dozen pieces. The pho
tograph was considerably faded, and In the
tearing the actual face itself had been
ripped out of all recognition. Still, judging
from the small fragments, II was possible
to make out that the picture had been that
of a woman. One scrap Of card bore the
words and Co, Melbourne. The rest OF
the lettering had apparently vanished.
This must have been taken long time
ago." Ravenspur said. 1t is SO terribly
faded"
Not necessarily, my lord" Dallas said.
I'VE know very little about that photo
graph as yet except that il was taken in
Australia OF course, it is fair to assume
that the picture is old one judging
from the colorlng, but your lordship must
not forget that foreign photographs are al
ways much fainter than those taken In this
country, because the light is SO much
stronger and more brilliant. At any rate,
the fact remains that we found those frag-
ments tightly clenched in Mr.. Delahay's left
hand, all of which points to some intrigue,
with a woman at the bottom Of 1t. OF
course. l know nothing whatever about Mr..
Delahays moral character"
Then IN tell you" Ravenspur said
sharply. My late friend was the soul OF
honor. He was a very quick, passionate
man. and he inherited his temper from his
Italian mother. But the man was incapable
of anything mean or dishonorable. He
genuinely in love with his wife. and cared
nothing for any other woman. How that
Photograph came into his possession | don't
know Probably never shall know. But
you can at once dismiss from your mind
the suspicion that Delahay was mixed up
in that vulgar kind OF business. Now, Is
there anything more you can tell mc?"
well, no." Dallas said. after short
pause. There is nothing that strikes me. &,
no suggestions that seem to need Doctors
opinion. We shall find that the cause OF
death is the small puncture over the heart
that l spoke of. To hazard an opinion, 1t
tos-the Corsican tyre OF weapon where the
blade is snapped off in the wound. 1t leaves
the smallest mark, and no blood follows-a
difficult thing TO trace without great care.
OF course the post mortem--"
Go be continued tomorrow
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-14

to realize the dread significance of her own
message Ravenspur stood there with his
hands to his head, shocked and grieved al
most beyond the power of speech.
This is terrible" he murmured at length.
MY dear Maria, l cannot find words to
express my sympathy. Could You tell me
how it happened? But perhaps l am ask
ing too much
No" Mrs Delahay replied, still speaking
with the utmost calmness. Il am ready to
answer any question you like to put to me.
l am absolutely daZed and stunned. And yet
can realize nothing. But, perhaps, before
the reaction comes 1 had better tell you
everything To think that l should lose him
in this way whilst l am still a bride. But
dare not pity myself yet; there is far
too much stern work to be done. There will
be plenty of time later on for the luxury
of grief
, Wont you sit DOWN. Ravenspur MUIR
INJURED.
My dear friend. couldn't. I must be
walking about. l feel as If l could walk
about for years, But will try and tell you
how it happened. ne came back to London
yesterday afternoon, as you know and put
up at the Grand Hotel You see I had
never been in London before, and so I know
gone straight to our own house in Fttzjohn
Square this dreadful thlng-but why do 1
think of that? You know the house was not
quite ready for US, and that was the reason
why we went to the Grand. After visiting
a theater last night Louis announced his
intention of going far our house. I
understood him to say that he required
something for his studio There were no
caretakers on the premises, but Louis had
latchkey, SO that was all right. I went to
bed about Il o'clock, thinking no evil and
not in the least alarmed because Louis had
not come back. AS YOU know he had al
ways been terribly late man, and I
thought perhaps he had met one of his old
companions, perhaps he had turned into
the Garrick Club. Still, when l woke up
this morning about six O'Clock and found
that he had not returned. l became genu-
| inely alarmed. l took a cab as far as Fitz-
john Square and went into the house"
"One moment" Ravenspur interrupted. 81
don't quite understand how you managed
to get into the premises"
That an easy matter, though the
front door was closed. The latchkey was
still in the lock l only had to turn it to
obtain admission. / went straight TO the
studio, and there on the fioor-but l really
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-14
THE MIDNIGHT GUEST.
DETECTIVE STORY BY FRED NJ. WHITE
Author The Crimson The Corner
Copyright 1907 MIu &)
Author of The Crimson Bind 1.-THE Corner House," Etc
Copyright, 1907. T. J. Mcbride & SOM

surroundings. There were many people who
regarded Lord Ravenspur the most for
tunate and talented man in London. Not
only had he been born to the possession OF
q fine old title, but he had almost unlimited
wealth as well. AS if this were not suff1-
Client, nature had endowed him with hand
some presence and an intellect far beyond
the common. Apparently there was moth
ing that Ravenspur could not do. He was
a fine sportsman, and large number of
| his forty-odd, years had been spent big
game shooting abroad. What time he passed
in England was devoted almost exclusively
10 artistic pursuits. AS portrait painter
Ravenspur stood on level with the great
masters of his time More than one striking
example of sculpture had come from his
chiSel. He had as much honor in the salons
of Vienna and Paris he had within the
! walls of Burlington House. In fine, Raven
spur was u great parsonage. a popular fig
ure in society, and well known everywhere.
| His lavish hospitality was always in the
| best of good taste, and the entree to 799
Park lane was accounted a rare privilege
| by all his friends.
But the woman in black was thinking
nothing of this, as she followed the footman
along marble corridors to a sunny morning
| room at the back of the house. The foot
| man indicated chair, but the visitor
waved him aside with a gesture of impa-
| tienCe.
| Go and fetch your master at once" she
| said
| For few moments she paced up and
| down. weaving her way in and out among
! the rare objects of art like n wild animal
! that is freshly Gagged. She threw back her
| long. black veil presently as If the atmos-
! phere of the place stified her. Her face
| might have been that of a marble statue,
| so intensely white and rigid it was. 1t was
| only the rapid dilation of the dark eyes
! which showed that the stranger had life and
| feeling at all. She turned abruptly as Lord
| Ravenspur came into the room. His hand
| some, smiling face and prematurely iron
| gray hair afforded strong contrast to the
| features of his visitor. He came forward
| with extended hands.
| This is an unexpected pleasure. Maria, "
| he said. But what is wrong? Louis is all
| right l suppose?"
| Louis is dead"' the WON; l said in the
| same cold strained voice He has been
! fOuly murdered. l could not say more If |
| spoke for an hour. Louis is deadr'
/ The speaker repeated the last three words
over and over again as If she were trying
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-14

ly with something in his hand. Mrs Della
hay drank the medicine In a mechanical
way, scarcely knowing what she doing.
Then. gradually. her rigid limbs relaxed,
and the staring dark eyes were closed.
She'll do now for some time the doc
tor whispered. Il have telephoned for a
nurse who may be here now at any mo-
ment. Don't let me detain you. have got
my motor outside, and in any case 1 must
remain until the nurse arrives"
That is very good Of you,' Ravenspur
murmured. LAS far as I am concerned l
should like to make some inquiries. have
known Defahay now for tr.e last five years;
indeed, 1t was who persuaded him to take
up his quarters in London. 1t seems ter
| should be cut short like this. That man
would have come to the top of his profess
sion, and. SO far as I know, he hadn't a
| single. enemy In the world Perhaps, by
this time, the Scotland Yard people may
have found a clue"
Ravenspur drove straight away to Fitz-
| john Square, and made his way through the
crowd of morbid folks who had gathered
outside. AS he expected he found the
house In the hands of the police. Inspector
Dallas came forward and greeted him re-
spectfully.
This is terrible affair. my lord" he
said.
"Ghastly,' Ravenspur exclaimed at was
| great shock when Mrs. Delahay came
| round to me this morning. And the strange
part of the whole business is that l was in
this very house myself, quite alone, till
half-past one. Perhaps l had better ex-
plain the circumstances to you. the
knowledge might prove useful. And
now you know all about It. Mind you,
saw nothing; | did not hear a sound. In
deed, l am quite convinced that there was
no one on the premises when l left
But you had no means of making sure
the inspector protested The miscreants
| might have heen here all the time. They
might have been hiding in a room upstairs
waiting for You to go.
They might have attacked me, as far as
that goes Ravenspur replied. My word,
the mere suggestion of it turns one cold"
AT any rate. they were not after your
lordship, the inspector said, thoughtfuly.
"Of course, l am assuming for the sake of
argument that the murderer, or murderers.
were actually here when you arrived last
night. If SO, the whole thing was carefully
premeditated These, people had no quarrel
with you, and, therefore, they did not
modest you. All the same, they wanted to
get rid of you, or they would not have cut
off the light"
But did they cut off the light?" Raven
spur asked.
That we can prove in moment. I am
going the theory that these pekple want
ed to get you out of the way they short
c!rcuited the current and left you in dark
ness. That was a very useful eXpedtent
and had the desired effect. l am very glad
you told me this, because II may be the
means of putting on the track of i'm
portant evidence. But let us go down to the
basement, and examine the electric meter"
Ravenspur followed his companion down
the dark steps leading to the basement, and
Inspector Dallas struck light. Then, with
a grim smile, he pointed to a cable which
led from the meter to the different rooms
on the upper floors. The cable had been
clean cut with some sharp instrument.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-14

together with little garlic or dates, form
Ing the most common meal. Such food
costs but little, but to those who are un-
able to buy the university gives food, 800
loaves OF bread being supplied without
charge to needy students every day.
AS l passed through the halls l saw
some OF the boys mending their clothes, and
others spreading their wash out in the sun
to dry. They did not seem ashamed Of their
poverty and saw much to admire.
The professors serve for nothing and sup
port themselves ty teaching in private
houses or by reading the prayer Ct the
mosques 1t is considered a great honor to
be a professor here; and the most learned
men of the Mohammedan world are CAD to
lecture in the El-Azhar without reward. In
fact the only man about the institution who
receives salary Is the president, who has
10000 piasters a year This seems much
| until one knows that the plaster is only 8
cents, and that 1t takes this many OF them
| to make $500.
| I asked as to the government Of the uni
versity. and was told it had a principal and
| under professors. All students are under
the direct control Of the university, and II
| they misbehave outside its walls the police
| hand them over to the collegiate authori-
| ties for punishment The students eX-
empt from military service. and 1t is said
that many enter the institution for that
| reason alone. There seem to be no limita-
tons as to age nor as to the time one may
spend at the college: 1 saw boys between
| six and eight studying the Koran in one
| corner of the building, and gray-bearded
! men sitting around a professor in another
! The most of the scholars, however, are from
| sixteen to twenty-five or of about the same
| age as our college students at home.
| Education in Egypt.
This university has but little to do with
| the great movement Of modern education
which is now going on in Egypt. 1t is
| rather religious than educational and the
live, active educational forces outside it are
two. One of these is the United Presby-
terrain Church and its mission school, of
which will write later, when l visit their
college at Assiout, about three hundred
miles farther up the Nile valley, and the
| other is the government, directed by the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-14

stone-fagged court, upon which the study
halls Of this university face. The court
was surrounded by arcades upheld by
marble pillars and in the arcades and
In the immense rooms beyond We're thou
sands upon thousands of students. They
sat in groups on the floor. listening to the
professors, who were lecturing various
subjects, swaying back and forth as they
sang out their words Of wisdom. Some Of
the groups were studying aloud and alto
gether the confusion was great as that
at the Tower of Babel when the tongues of
the builders were changed. There were at
least 5000 men, all talking at once, and
some, 1t seemed to me- were shouting at
the tops of their voices. I had many IN
friendly looks as I made my way through
the mass, and narrowly escaped being
feSSorS and students at work under the
bright sun which beat down upon the
court The inmates Of this school are
among the most fanatical of the Moham-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-14
CHAPTER II.
No. 1 FitZjohn Square.

brougham was being rapidly driven in the
direction of the Grand Hotel. No words
were spoken on the journey, but Ravenspur
did not fail to notice how his companion
shook and quivered as the shouts of the
newsboys reached her ears. 1t seemed as If
all London had given itself over to this last
sensational tragedy. 1t was as If thousands
of strange rough hands were pressing upon
the still bleeding wound. To an intensely
sympathetic nature like Ravenspur's the
relief of the defamation was great. At his
suggestion of food his companion shud-
dered. The mere idea of it turned her
physically SICK. Utterly worn out and ex-
hausted she dropped into a chair. There
was light now of something like madness
in her eyes. The doctor hustled in present
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-14

niture such as we have at home. There
was not chair nor a table in the halls;
there were no maps nor diagrams and no
scientific Instruments There were no
libraries visible and the books used were
mostly pamphlets.
They Sleep in the School Rooms.
There is no charge for tuition and the
poor and the rich are on much the same
level. Many of the undergraduates are
partially supported by the university, and
it is no disgrace to be without money. Some
Of the students and professors live in the
university. They sleep in the school rooms,
where they study or teach, lying down upon
the mats and covering themselves with
their blankets. They eat there, and there
are peddlers who bring in food and sell 1t
to them. Their diet Is pain, bowl Of
bean soup and cake of pounded grain,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-14

medans, and have since learned that the
Christian who moves among them Is in
danger of personal violence.
1 spent some time in this university,
going from hall to hall and making notes.
In one section found class of blind boys
who We're learning the Koran, and 1 am
sold that they are more fanatical than any
Of the others. In another place saw forty
Persians listening to a professor. They
were sitting on the ground, and the pro-
fessor himself sat fiat on the floor with his
bare feet doubled up under him. 1 could
see his yellow toes sticking out of his
black gown. He was lecturing on theology
and the students were attentive.
Another class near by was taking down
the notes of a lecture. Each had sheet Of
tin, which looked as though 1t might have
been cut from an oil can, and he wrote
upon this in ink with a reed style. The
letters were in Arabic and l could not tell
what they meant
looked about me in vain for school fur
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-14
Nine Thousand Bald Heads.

Nine Thousand Bald Heads.
This famous Mohammedan university is
situated in the heart of business Cairo
When I rode to 1t today on my donkey
passed through mile or so Of covered ba-
zaars thronged with turbaned men and
yelled women and walled with shops in
which long-gowned Egyptians were selling
goods and plying their trades. The uni
versi,y is known as the Mosque Of El-Az-
har. which Is one Of the oldest mosques of
Cairo. 1t covers several acres and the
streets about 1t are largely taken up with
industries connected with the university.
One of the bazaars Is devoted to bookselling
and bookbinding and another to head
dressing. Every Mohammedan has his
head shaved several times a week. and In
this college there are 1900 bald-headed stu
dents. The scholar who would appear here
with our ordinary college foot ball cut
would not be admitted. The students wear
turbans of white. black or green, and there
is not hair under them except on the top
OF the crown. where little tuft may be
left that the owner may be the more easily
pulled into heaven.
My way led through the street of the
BARRIERS. There were a number of them
working on the heads Of the students The
BARRIERS made them kneel down to be
shaved. and / saw one or two lying with
their heads in the laps of the men who
were shaving them. The BARRIERS used no
pa per. wiping the shavings on the faces Of
their victims instead. At the end they gave
the head. face and ears a good washing.
AS | approached the entrance of the uni
versity / saw many young, long-gowned
turbaned men, with their books under their
arms. standing about and some carrying
manuscripts in and out. Each student has
his shoes in his hand when he enters the
gates, and l was made to put a pair of
slippers over my boots before l went in
The slippers were of yellow sheepskin and
tt,rl, nod tod Iay, r,,ttI ,A1
strings.
Entering the gate I came into great
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-14
100000 in Hospitals.

From the London Hospital.
Hospital authorities have to face facts as
they are and the result has been that dur
ing the last ten or fifteen years the mana
gers Of nearly every great metropolitan
hospital have had to face the question OF
rebuilding and to provide enormous funds,
which collectively will be found to amount
TO probably five millions of money, TO de-
fray the cost Of this work alone.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-14
The Compelling Cause.
From Pick -Me-Ups.

From Fick-Me-Jps.
Little Millie-"Grandad, what makes
man always give woman diamond en-
gagement ring?'
Grandfather-'-rhe woman"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-05
Ryder AStouShes Shirley by
Suddenly Suggesting Thai
She Become the Bride ct
HIS Son Herself.

been waiting 70 see YOU all evening
and as l shall be here only a short
time longer I-want 20 ask YOU
great favor-perhaps the greatest yoH
were ever asked-I want 10 ask you
FOR mercy-for mercy to
She stopped and glanced nervously
AZ him. but she saw he was paying no
attention 20 what she was saying. He
was putting heavily at his cigar. en-
tirely preoccupied with his own
thoughts Her sudden silence aroused
him. lie apologized.
"Oh. excuse mel didn't quite catch
what you were saying
She said nothing. wondering What
had happened TO render him so absent
minded. He read the question fin her
face. for, turning towards her. he eN-
claimed.
For the first time in my life ] am
face to face with defeat-defeat Of the
most ignominious autobiography
inability 10 regulate my own internal
affairs can rule q government, but
I can't manage ny own famly-my
own son. m a failure Tell me. he
added. appeaHngly 10 her. why can't
I rule my own household. why can
I govern my own child2'
why can't you govern yourself?'
said Shirley. quietly.
Ryder looked keenly at her for
moment without answering her ques-
ton. then. as II prompted BY q sud
Den inspiration. he said:
You can help me. but not by
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-05
By George Marry him

ferson mdeterred by his sire's hostile
attitude, that poor old man IS prac-
tically on trial for his life. He is as
innocent Of wrongdoing as a child IN
born, and you know II. YOU could save
him If you would"
Jefferson answered Ryder, ST,
biting his lip to restrain his impotence.
Il told you before that l could not in
terfere even If I would; and | won't,
because that man is my enemy I'm
portant business interests. which YOU
cannot possibly know anything about.
demand his dismissal from the bench.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-05

Surely your business interests don't
demand the sacrifice Of a mans life.
retorted Jefferson. II know modern
business methods are none too squean-
ish, but / should think you'd draw the
line at deliberate sTnurderl' Z
Ryder sprang TO his feet snd for
moment stood glazing at the young
man. His lips moved. but no sound
came from them. Suppressed wrath
rendered him speeches.. What was
the world coming 10 when a son could
talk to his father in this manner?
How dare you presume to judge
my actions or to criticise my meth
cds7" he burst out. finally.
You force me to- DO So answered
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-05
appeals to Has Fa-
Their to Save Judge Ross
more and Is Colby Re-
PULSED BY the Millionaire.

was reading and looked Up 1t was
unusual for his son TO come to him on
any errand, and he liked To encourage
IT,
Certainly, Jefferson. What Is it?"
81 want TO appeal to you. sir. want
you to use your influence. before It Is
too late, to save Judge Rossmore. A
word from YOU at this time would DO
wonders in Washington
The finaneier swung half-round IN
his chair. the smile OF greeting faded
out OF his face, and hts voice was
hard as he replied coidly:
Again? I thought we had agreed
not to discuss Judge Rossmore any
further?"
IT can't help II. sir" rejoined JEFF
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-05

Jefferson holly. Il want to tell you
that I am heartily ashamed OF THE
whole affair and your connection with
1t. and since you refuse 10 make
reparation H. the only way possible
for the Wong you and your associates
have done Judge Rcssmore-that is by
saving him in the Senate think it
only fair 10 warn YOU that l take back
my word in regard 10 not marrying
without your consent l want YOU 90
know thai intend 10 marry .diss
Rossmore as soon as she win consent
to become my wife. that is. ne added