The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1913-10-03

1t cleared, and I seemed to see the in
terror of a small room rich with orien-
tai furniture. A man was in the fore
ground, and, even though his back was
toward me, recognized my nephew.
l screamed as I also saw that two men
We're standing over him with drawn
swords. Then the picture blurred and
faded and the crystal ball reflected
nothing save the brilliant sunshine and
the hard blue sky.
""Take me to..him at once, If You
know where he is pleaded.
"rhe Turk lifted skinny hand and
pointed toward the corner. Follow
the narrow way until you come to
blue painted door in the wall. Knock
there and IL you hasten you may be in
time to deliver your nephew from his
enemies
II tossed number Of coins on to
the narrow counter and fastened around
the corner into the alley had noticed.
Presently, l found myself in another
street, overlooking with light and col
or and hurried on looking for a wall
which might contain blue painted
door
AT last | came to 1t and knocked
with trembling fingers OH the carved
| panels. 1t opened inward with star
thing suddenness and | entered, crop
ing my way through semidarkness un-
til Il paralelogram of rose color in
dicated Il lamp lit room. paused for
n moment to take breath and to gain
control OF my scattered senses.
across the width of a warm, scent
cd room. rich In gorgeous cOlOrings
from hangings and heaped up pillows
on tioor and divans, ! saw another
room. In the middle Of this second
room saw enacted the same picture
that had been depicted within the crys-
tai
II screamed again and again for
help. At the sound Of my voice Ar
thur lifted his head and saw me. He
gave leap forward just as something
dark descended over my head and
was gently lifted from the floor and
conveyed to Il softly cushioned dlvan.
where strong hands confined my
wrists and carefully bound them with
soft silkcn scarfs.
II heard Arthur's voice calling my
name telling me to have no fear that
all would be arranged In a few mo-
ments. ana then his voice ceased.
"lhe voice of my benevolent friend
Of the Street of the Godsmiths now
broke upon my strained hearing.
Madame Is convinced Of the dan
ger of her relativeY he asked smoothly.
"'Yes.' | said.
Madame values the life of her rel
ntive at great price" he continued.
"'Of course. How much do you
want?' l asked bluntly.
'"rhtWe was Il little silence, and then,
How much has madame goty he ask
ed politely.
"ln spite of my discomfort laugh
ed outright ut his impndence Re
lease mo ut once and I will give you
everything. provided my nephew is re-
stored to me unhurmed.'
1.-The relative OF madame will be
awaiting her outside the door he
promised And then very gently he
removed the cloth from my head aud
UNASSIGNED my Slken bonds.
Madame values her life too highly
to make mention of this friendly little
visit to the rug merchant 1t would
he painful indeed for reintives to find
her body In the Bospor,ls'
~ nodded IN return and hastened
down the passage. My eyes were now
accustomed to the dim light, and 1
On flut 1,o Is,
and there with carved lattices.
~ opened the door ana found my
self In the crowded, busting street
turned around to look for my nephew
and saw the door fly open once more
to eject him into my arms When we
compared notes discovered that Al
fred had been relieved of his vul,ia-
blcs ANA money under promise that I
should go unhnrmed. He had been
held behind one OF the lattlccs and had
watched me pass out Of the place.
Quite pcnniless, but very happy at be-
ing restored unhurt to each other, we
made our way back to the hotel and
after luncheon went aboard the steam
er. That covered our experiences In
Constantinople."
Miss Gray leaned back in her chair
and laid an affectionate hand on young
Clayton's arm. "Tell them how you
were lured behind the blue painted
door" she said.
Arthur laughed ruefully. II suppose
| was an easy mark for them. 1t ap-
pears that the shop Of the rascally rug
merchant was connected with shop
in the Street OF Swords, and the old
man was In charge OF both. He had
just entrapped me into his rooms to
examine some fine Damascus blades
when Aunt Emeline appeared before
his other shop. Foreigners are eusy
prey for these clever chaps. and this
one Immediately connected MS together
and so played off one against the other
to his financial benefit"
"Rllt how about the crystal ball.
Did you really see the picture of Mr..
Clayton struggling with his captors?"
asked Madeline Trayle eagerly
Il really did see it," affirmed Miss
Gray. "Perllaps Professor Trayle can
explain the matter to u.s."
The professor shook his head. ~ am
afraid that incident must be added to
other uncxplainabe mysteries OF the
east" ha snid slowly