The Elbert County tribune., 1912-11-22

|
Sell 1t? Not he! He's collector.
and crazy over the thing"
Mahomed nodded. He knew some
thing of the habits of collectors. rs
he still In Cairo, and where may he
be found7"
| Ryanne began to believe that the
game was going along famousiy: Ma
homed was sure OF II.
He is George P. A. Jones. OF Morti-
mer & Jones. rich rug dealers OF New
York. Money no object"
Though his face did not show 1t, Ma
homed was singularly depressed by
this news. II this man Jones had
money. of what use was his little pack
ct of notes?
Il must have that rug, effendi.
There are two reasons: 1t is holy. and
the loss of 1t means my head"
Good riddance" thought Ryanne. a
sympathetic look upon his face.
What have you to suggest In the
way of plan?" asked Mahomed
Ryanne felt tingle OF jubilation.
He saw nothing but plain-sailing into
port. But Mahomed had arranged to
guide his craft into the whirlpool. Un-
to himself he kept up a ceaseless re-
iteration of-"Patience, patience. pa
tience!"
Said Ryanne; you do not care how
you get the rug, so long as you do get
itY
mo. efrendi." Mahomed smiled.
"A little rough work wouldn't dis
turb your"
mo. II would not"
We'll. then. listen to me- Suppose
you arrange to take my friend Jones
\ into the desert for little trip. Be
his dragoman for while. In fact.
kidnap him, abduct him, steal him.
You can hold him In ransom for the
rug and a nice little sum of money
besides"
Can they do such things these days
in Cairo?"
why not?"
Truly. why not! Mahomed sat
thoughtfully studying the outrageous
prints on the cracked walls. Had he
dared he would have laughed. And
he had thought this dog cunning be
yond all his kindl 81 agree. But the
arrangements / must leave to you
Bring him here at nine o'clock to
night" he continued. leaning across
the table impressively. "and / will
give you one hundred pounds Eng
lish"
Ryanne quickly assumed the express
sion needed to meet such splendid
news. Il say. Mahomed. that Is pretty
square. after what has passed between
u.s."
ut is nothing" gallantly.
II Ryanne laughed in his sleeve. Ma
homed certainly found ample room In
his for such silent and figuratiye each
innations. He knew very well that
Ryanne had received a goodly sum for
his adventure. No man took his life
In his hand to cancel an obligation
which was not based upon disinterest
ed friendship; and already the man
had disavowed any such quality. Also
he had not been a seller of rugs him
self. or guardian of the Yhiordes ali
these years. without having had some
contact with collectors. Why, II there
was one person dear at this moment
to MahomrS El-Gebel's heart, 1t wai
this man sitting opposite. And he
rug; only, the rug must be regained
for its loss was a passport into para
disc; and he wasn't quite prepared &c
be received by the houris.
Mr.. Jones, then, shall be here
promptly at nine," declared Ryanne
beckoning the barmaid. What will
you haveH"
Mahomed shook his head. His two
companions, gathering the Significance
of the gesture, likewise declined.
"A smoke. thenf"
A smiling negative.
Beware of the Greek bearing gifts, ,
laughed Ryanne. "All right. Yor
won't mind IL have beer to the sue
cess Of the venture"
mo effendi."
Ryanne drank the lukewarm bev
erags, while Mahomed toyed with hiI
turquoise ring. that sacred badge of ar
honorable pilgrimage to Holy Mecca.
Tho young lady, effendi: she wal
very pretty. Your sister?" casually In
quired Mahomed.
"Oh. no. She is a young lady met
at the hotel the other day"
The liari thought the Moslem, as h<
recalled the light In Ryanns's eyer
and the tenderness OF his smiles. Ap
parently. however. Mahomed lost in
terest directly. AT nine o'clock to
night, then, this collector will arrive
to become my guestr'
by hook or crook" was tho an
swer "I1l have him here. Cash upon
delivery. as they say"
Cash upon delivery" Mahomed re
peated. the phrase being familiar to