The San Francisco call., 1908-03-22
COP1KIoFT 19O5BI PluLIFI PUB. GO.


noon he set his secretary at work on
fair copy of a letter he had been pre-
pairing, ordered his horse and running
footman and went upon his errand
without any other attendant or COM
panion-
He rode a half-bred brown Arab
mare, for ne was a heavy man, and he
preferred a serviceable mount at all
times TO the showy. and i'll tempered
white Barbary or the rather delicate
thoroughbred of the desert, which were
favorites with the rich Greeks of Con- :
stantinople. He was quietly dressed,
too. and his bare legged runner, who
cleared the way for him when the
streets were crowded, wore a plain
brown tunic and cap and did not yell
at the poorer people and slaves or
strike them in passing. as the footmen
Of great personages always did. Zeno
had picked him out of at least hum
dred for his endurance and his long
wind.
So they went quietly and quickly
along. the man and his master, follow
ing very nearly the way which Ono
bono had taken on the previous after
noon. till they came 10 the long wall
crested with sharp bits of rusty iron
and broken crockery, and stopped be-
fore the only door that broke its blank
length. Zeno looked at the defense
critically, and wondered just how great
an inducement would make him take
the trouble Of getting over it at the .
risk Of cutting his hands and tearing
his clothes. Before any one answered
his footmans knock he had decided
that il would be an easy matter to
bring his well broken horse close to
the wall to stand on the saddle, draw
himself up and throw a heavy cloak
over the spiky iron and the sharp
edged shards with one hand while
hanging by the other. The rest would
be easy enough. 1t was always his in
stinct TO make such calculations when
he entered or passed by any place that
was meant to be defended.
This time the door was opened by
Gullabi Gulbenkan in person, and he
bowed TO the ground as zeno got off his
horse and stood beside him. Still
bending low he made way and with a
wide gesture invited his visitor 10 en-
ter.
He took Zeno through the small part
of the house which he had reserved. for
his own use. far from the larger rooms
where he kept his stock of slaves. In
an inner apartment they met the ne
gress. resplendent in scarlet velvet and
a heavy gold chain, her red hair
combed straight out fromA her head.
When Zeno appeared she at once as
sumed what she considered a modest
but engaging attitude, crossing her
great hands upon her splendid coat and
looking down with marvellous at
tempt at a simper
Gullabi stood still and for a moment
Zeno thought that the dealer had ven
tured TO jest with him by showing him
the terrific Hegress in her finery as the
Incompatible treasure of which he had
spoken. But Gullabis words explained
everything
MY life." he said, speaking to his
g r.. -, = III
ready TO be seen?"
"As my lord commanded me-" replied
the negress. keeping her hands folded
and bending a little
This lady" said Gullabi to Zeno, is
my wife and my right hand" He
turned to her. sweet dove" he said,
pray lead his magnifcence to the
slaves room. l will wait here"
Zeno seemed surprised at this ar
rangement
MY wife, explained Gullabi, under
stands the creatures better than /. My
business is buying and selling; it is her
part to keep the merchandise in good
condition, and to show it to the GUS
toners who honor us.
He smiled pleasantly as he said this.
and remained standing while Zeno fol-
lowed the negress out of the room As
he walked behind her he could not help
noting her strong square shoulders, and
the swing OF her powerful h4ps, and her
firm tread and he. conceived the idea
that she would be a match for any
ordinary man in tussle He was GER
tainly not thinking of the slave girl he
was about to inspect
Another door opened and he was in
room flooded with sunshine and sweet
with spring flowers: he stopped and un-
consciously drew one sharp breath of
surprise. Zoe had been sitting in a big
chair in the sun, and had half risen
as the door opened, her hand resting on
one of the arms of the seat. Her eyes
met Zeno's and for d moment no one
moved. IF Guilabi had been present
he would have raised the price of the
merchandise to 500 ducats at least; the
black woman only grinned, we'll pleased
with the appearance OF the girl, whom
she had herself dressed to receive the
customers visit of inspection