Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-23


came no sign of Hussain. Royson was
divided between his promise to Irene not
to incur any avoidable risk and his natural
wish to obtain the information so eagerly
awaited in the camp. Though he meant
to begin the return journey at sunset,
here was FIVE o'clock, and he no wiser than
Yesterday at the same hour At last in
action grew irksOrne. He helped Abdur
Kad'r to saddle the Camels, and they
mounted, intending to climb the nOrtherly
ridge, and thus survey the road which
Hussaln must pursue II he managed to
get away from Italian surveillance before
nightfall.
They proceeded warily On gaining
the opposing height they found that a
broad plateau, fanked by steep hill on
the SeaWard side, barred any distant
view; but Abdur kad'r felt assured that
the crest of this next hill would give them
command of the whole range of broken
country for many miles ahead. With this
objective, they urged the carnels into
trot When the shoulder of the rising
ground became almost impossible tor
four-footed animals, and awkward beasts
at that, they dismounted, tied the camels
to heavy stones, and climbed the remain
der of the way on foot.
They looked across narrow valley into
a wide and shallow depression, where
clump of palm trees and dense patches
of sdyaU bushes instantly revealed the
whereabouts of the oasis. 1t was easy to
see the regular lines of newly turned rub
BILE and sand where trenches had been cut
by the explorers. But the place was de-
serted. Not a man or horse, camel OF
tent, stood on the spot where the mirage
had revealed a multitude some twenty
six hours earlier.
Royson was so perplexed by the dis
covely that his gaze did not wander from
the abandoned camp. Abdur kadr,
quicker than he to read the tokens OF the
desert, pointed to a haze of dust that
hung in the still air far to the north.
The Italians have gone, Effendi, he
said Perhaps they too were looking
for an oasis with five hills. Behold, they
have found one by fools counting; for
this is the fifth hill within two kilometers
of Suleiman's Well. The ways of Allah
are wonderful. Can it be that they have
discovered that which you seek!'
A SHARP pang of disappointment shot
"A through Royson's breast. He was
about to tell Abdur Kad'r that they must
now regain their camels and hasten to the
oasis while there was sufficient light to
examine the excavations, when the shelk
suddenly pulled him down. for Dick had
stood upright on boulder to obtain an
uninterrupted field of vision.
"Look!' he growled. Pour of them!
And, by the Holy Kaaba! they mean
mischief"
Royson in few seconds made out the
hoods of four men who were peering over
the crest which separated the small valley
from the larger one. They disappeared,
and while Royson and Abdur Kadr
were specializing on the motive that in
spired this espionage, the hoods came in
sight again; but this time they had the
regular swing that betokened camel
riders. The four halted on the sky line,
and seemingly exchanged signals with
others in the rear. Then they resumed
their advance They were fully armed.
They carried their guns across the saddle
bow, and Dick saw that their cloaks
were rather differently fashioned to those
which he had taken note of hitherto.
Hadendowas!" murmured Abdur
Kadr They are good fighters, Effendi,
but born thieves: And how many, ride
behind? Not for twenty years have l met
Hadendowas on this track"
The Arabs keen eyes did not cease to
glare fxedly beyond the ridge. Soon he
whispered again, They may not have
seen US, Effendi; but we must be ready
~ 4