Evening star., 1908-01-19
THE WHEEL O. FORTUNE
humpz
Continued from page II

agreeable adventure. Royson noticed that
she gave no heed whatever to his share In 1t
Her attitude was tinged with a slight disdain
and he began to feel miserably depressed, until
it occurred to him that she probably resented
his departure on Mrs. Haxton's errand with
out letting her know. That was consoling. tc
an extent. He was sure she would forgive him
when he had an opportunity OF telling hel
exactly what had happened.
They were so engroSSed in their conclaye
that servant entered with lamps before they
realized that daylight had waned and night
was falling with the rapidity of the tropics
Fenshawe leaped up from his chair with ar
alertness that belied his years.
Il must break my resolution and send a
least one cablegram from Massawa,' he cried
" 1t will be harmless enough to escape mutila
ton. as it is to my London Office directing
that all correspondence must be addressed t.
Alden in future. You will take it for me
Royson. and pay the cost!
Dick went off as soon as the message was
ready. Irene avoided him ostentatiously
while her grandfather was writing, and thereby
laid herself open to the unjust suspicion that
she was flirting with him. In very truth, she
was torn with misgiyings, and Royson's share
in her thoughts was even less than he imagined
Her quick brain OWNED that the arrest OF
Won kerber had only strengthened the Aus
TRANS claim on Fenshawe's sympathies. Like
all generous souled men, her grandfather ran
to extremes. and she felt that it was hopeless
regarded as the victim of persecution.
Twill Captain Stump come back for din
ner?" inquired Fenshawe, after he had glanced
through the letters which Irene brought to him
"I hope SO. Mrs. Haxton went off In such
hurry that forgot to mention 1T.
"Was it illness or anxiety that sent her tC
the yacht?"
"A little of both, fancy. But why should
she be anxious? She did not know that mat
tiers had gone wrong at the fort.
81 think she made shrewd guess, but was
unwilling to alarm you. That is why she sent
Royson after us BY the way, what did she
tell him to dor"
Il have no idea" said Irene coldly.
That is odd, distinctly odd. | meant te
ask him, but forgot it in my excitement :.
=" He will be here in few minutes, she said
with livelier interest.
There was knock at the door. A negru
J waiter had something to say, and she gathered
from a tumble of Italian and Arabic that a
native wished to see Mrs. Haxton. The man
pronounced the name plainly. SO there could
be no mistake as to his meaning and Irene
answered:
:" The signora is not here.
Fenshawe was immersed in his letters again
but looked up. What is it" he demanded
"Some man is asking for Mrs Haxton," she
told him. 81.
Better go and interview him. If he can
tell US anything. bring him here
She went down stairs with the attendant
He pointed to a muff1ed Arab near the door
who salaamed deeply the instant she appeared
What do YOU want" she said in Italian,
and the Arab silently indicated a closed vehicle
drawn up close to the curb in front of the
hotel Thinking there was some visitor in
side who did not wish to alight, she went for
ward without hesitation. The dim. smoke
laden street was unusually crowded she
thought; but she gave no attention to the
passersby, as the Arab had opened the door
of the dingy looking vehicle. and she expected
to find an occupant peering out at her.
The conveyance was empty
There is some mistake she said. glancine
from the dark interior to Somali driver, and
then back to the silent messenger. Suddenly
she had an unnerving consciousness that sew
eral other white sheeted figures had crept
stealthily between her and the doorway. With
a little cry of alarm, she turned and strove to
reenter the hotel. Instantly she was swept
off her feet a coarse hand closed on her mouth.
and she was dragged with brutal force into
the carriage. She saw spring into existence
what seemed to be murderouS fracaS among
a dozen men.
The street was filled with clamor, and the
pavement was blocked with struggling forms.
Knives flashed, brawny armed Arabs closed in
deadly combat, and cursed each other with all
the rich repertoire of Islam. Of course people
tried to rush from the vestibule of the hotel
to ascertain what was causing the turnult.
But the fighters filled the doorway so that
none could enter or leave the building, and in
the midst of the alarm and confusion the pair
of Somali ponies attached to the ramshackle
vehicle were whipped into fast gallop. Then
the riot subsided as quickly as it arose. and.