Putnam patriot., 1909-10-29
copyrieht. 1908. by Dodd. Mead
 Q Co.

aroming Seiim,'' he said. and moved .xav from her side as Neenah came toward them from the opposite wall 1,enevra did not move She stood quite srtll and numb. watching his tall fig rre crossing the stone floor An, what man he was. The little Persian wife of Selim, after waiting for a full min ute. gently touched the arm of the n-freess. Genevra started and looked down into the dark, accusing. smiling eyes. She flushed deeply and hated herself
 shall we go back? ?" she asked nerv- ously. "1-I have seen enough. Come. Neenah. Lead me back to-
 Most glorious excellency." said Nee nah. shaking her pretty head. we are to walt here. The sahib and Selim viii join us soon. :"
 Where are they going?" demanded the princess. feeling of awe coming over her "l don't want to be left here alone" Chase and Selim had opened low. heavy iron door at the lower end and were peering into the dark ness beyond.
 "selim will explain. He has learned much. It is the secret passage to the coast Be not afraid"
 Genevra looked about her for the first time. They were standing in a long. low room. the walls of which reeked with dampness and gave out q noxieus odor. A single electric light provided faint. almost unnatural light Selim raised lighted lantern as he led Chase through the squat door. Behind Genevra were enor- nous casks. q dozen or more, reach ing almost to the ceiling. A number of boxes stood close by. while on the opposite side of the chamber four small iron chests were to be seen. dragged out from recesses iR the dis tant corner. Observing her look of wonder Neenah youchsafed casual explanation.
 Tt is the wine cellar and the stere- room The iron chests contain the silver and gold plate that came from the great rajah of Murpat in ex- change for the five huge rubies which now adorn his crown. The old sahibs stored the chests here many years ago. but few know of their existence. See, They were hidden in the walls over there Xon Blitz has found them.
 sNon Blitz," in amazement.
 He has been here He has carried ,,ka txxn ty in all"
 .And-and he will return for these?" queried the princess in alarm.
 .'Assuredly. most glorious one. Soon, perhaps But be not afraid. Selim can close the passage door. He can not get in. He will be fooled. eh? Why should you be afraidf Have you not with you the most wonderful, the most brave sahib? Would he not give his life for voua" The dark eyes sparkled with understapding-aye even mischief Genevra felt thnt this ori ental witch knew everything For a long time she looked in uncertain mood upon that smiling. wistful face. Then she said softly. moved by an irresisti
 
 ble impulse to confess something. even obscurely:
 "Oh. if only l were such as you, Neenah. and could live forever on this dear islandv'
 But, most high. there are DC princes here There is no one to whom the most gracious one could be sold No one who could pay more than dozen rubies. Women are cheap here. and you would be wom- an, not most beautiful princess
 T would not care to be princess, perhaps"
 You love my Sahib Chaser de- handed Neenah abruptly. eagerly
 "Neenah" gasped Genevra. with startled look. Neenah looked intenty into the unsteady. blue gray eyes and then bent over to kiss the hand of the princess The latter laughed almost aloud in her confusion. She caught herself up quickly and said with some asperity: You foolish child, am to become a princes wife. How can love your sahib? What nonsense. am to marry a prince. and he Is mol to pay for me in rubies."
 "Ah. how wonderfuIr' cried Neenah, with ravishing candor. "A prince for q husband and the glorious Sahtn