New-York tribune., 1909-08-15

20 with me I'll Join you at the Mena House iii a
short while
Oh I'll march along with you. of course, if you
are so keen upon going. You'll not care to stay long,
| wager
THE two officers lit their cigarettes and tramped
through the sand toward the village Major
Blunt with much chatting. led Hamilton through the
alleys of the flea infested Arab community. Ragged
dirty women and girl children drew black wells half
way over their faces and peered above them with
bold bright at the two tall EngShmen. Little
brown baby beggars stood in their path and in baby
talk lisped the familiar cry of Egypts grown-up
mendicants.
All the Arab dwellings into which Hamilton
glanced through the open portal of the courtyard
presented the view square, mud walled
courtyard in the four corners OF which stool small
single rooms. The occupants sat or slept on the
ground children played about; sometimes donkey
a camel made its home also within the court. De
spite Major BluntS badinage. however. and the TN
attractiyeness of the scenes. Hamilton strobe on
toward the upper end Of the village, his zeal undi-
minished.
There in front of the palm grove is old Shel Alb
dalah's dwelling. know him well Shall | take
Arab village he IS the best part OF the show He will
give YOU delicious coffee drink. Hei a Car here,
Thank you Blunt. have seen enough of this
place. Let's get back to the Pyramids.
lust as the two turned to act upon this sug
> gestion Hamilton stopped and stood motonless,
lntentlv listening.
=. Is the charm Of your surroundings too much for
YOU, Cyril Can't YOU tear yourself away said
Major Blunt.
That Baby -thev-she must be near Id know
that cry anywhere Hamitons excited answer.
Major Blunt wondered il the sun had been too hot
for Hamilton II he had yet fully recovered from his
wounds
/ hear nothing. Ii You do its only an Arab kid
howling: You are i'll, cyril. Come. let me help YOU
10 the Mena House
Hamilton impatientlv shook his arm free OF his
friends hand and strobe hurriedly down alley,
peerng into every courtyard he passed. MAJOR
Blunt anxiously kept him IN sight Finally Hamil-
ton wheeled and came 10 meet Major Blunt, looking
dazeI and shametaced.
" the fact Is. Blunt thought heard "A a-er-a
vaice that | knew. You must have thought was
tenentel
Il thought YOU said YOU heard Baby crying
"A-a-B Baby. did YOU say: oh. one may have
cried There are 50 many noises IN this cOnfounded
illage. | said a Voice concluded Hamilton weakly,
not meeting Major Bluuts eyes.
II thought You certainly were not familiar enough
with any Baby Voice 10 recognize H.. laughed
Major Blunt unsuspectingy.
My wild goose chase has brought up % the
place OF the old sheik, see. Suppose. after ALL
drop in on him said Hamilton, feeling strongly
luctant 10 leave since he had been deludei into
imagining that he had heard the familiar Baby cry
that haunted him
Though Hamilton believed his hearing the cry OF
the American Baby deusion. he looked round the
court OF the sheik. when he stepped inside half
hoping 10 see Mary with the Baby in her arms. He
wondered II his infatuaton for the American Baby
guardian had PLAYED that trick on his hearing. II
love was 10 make such idiot of him this II
would be well 20 find the Madonna as quickly as
possible and quickly put his fate to the test.
WHILE Hamilton was pursuing this train of
w thought Major Blunt had sent his card by
servant 20 the sheik In a few moments the Arab
came back and invited the guests into the reception
room, motoning them 10 seats on the divan of honor.
They 10 their feet the sheik with the noise
less flowing motion of the oriental came in. After
their host had seated himself cross legged and had
invited Ahmed. who had come in with him, to sit in