Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-09-25

Because, Monsieur, Mahmud would
pull load equivalent to that of a
dozen horses" answered the circus
man.
And this Mahmud of yours?"
Alas, he too is in F'ez. He would
not leave Mademoiselle Guepin, for
she had acquired wonderful power
over him. 1t was a strange contrast,
that frail, delicate, woman, and the
great beast. A rogue elephant he
was, monsieur, a furious monster of
whom all stood in dread. Even !
could hardly manage him. But
Mademoiselle Guepin could make him
heed her lghtest word, and by rea
son Of her power over him she has
acquired the reputation of a proph'
etess among the superstitious
Moors They say" he continued,
that she is a secret agent of France,
Of that | know nothing except that
all women love to intrigue. At any
rate, if France does not make use OF
that admirable woman she will not
he the France | know and love, for
Paul was greatly impressed by the
circus owners naive condolences,
Here was a problem requiring all the
strength of his courage and the re.
sources OF his brain. A treacherous
ruler, a beautiful, INSCRIPTIONS WON.
an. and a rogue elephant.
1t was In the guise Of concession
hunter that he went to the Sultan's
palace Immediately after his arrival,
leaving his equipment in the French
camp outside the walls French troops
were in possession of tho citadel, the
city was French-but Morocco was
not yet French, and technically
France was merely his maiesty's ally
against the rebellious tribes. Paul
found everything in confusion at the
palace. The Sultan, moroSe and de-
spondent, had shut himself up in his
palace with his favorite wife, the
Shereefa. lie had executed two of
his ministers az traitors and had dis.
missed the remainder, had cut off all
relations with the French garrison,
and alternately planned war upon
them and sent presents to COmman-
der Caillard, In token of fealty. I'm
der plea OF indisposition the Sultan
refused to see them. France was
growing impatient: the treaty must
be signed acknowledging the French
protCctorate If Paul could present
his credentials and obtain his maies-
tvs signature the French would be
Checkmated and the struggle would
be transferred to the chancellories
Of Madrid and Paris, while England
and Germany would instantancously
mobilize their warfeets.
Tell him." said Paul to his in
t.rpreter, a shrewd old Moor whom
he had engaged at a lavish wage and
pledged to silence. tell him that |
wish to speak with him upon mat
ter concerning the Khalifate"
Much mystifed, Paul entered the
palace courtyard, passed through a
number of rooms, richly adorned
with arabesques and hung with car
lets of brilliant hues and emerged
into a small open space with high
walls OF solid masonry, through a
bronze door which the minister
opened and Immediately closed be-
hind him. Paul found himself alone,
completely shut OFF from access to
the other portions of the palace-no,
not alone, for there, In the center of
the court, confronting him with raised
oil kC hnUa
bull elephant
AS Paul stared at this apparition
the monster trumpeted shrilly and
rushed toward him, swinging it's
trunk like an enormous fail. There
existed no doubt whatever as to its
intentions. Paul lodged agilely and
ran past the beast, which, too bulky
to turn swiftly, butted its massive
forehead against the masonry i'm
| mediately behind the place which
Paul had occupied.
THE passage to the halls of para
disc IS always a difficult one, mon
sieur," exclaimed a charming female
voice Walk through Mahmud
will not longer desire to hurt you In
| front of you Is door In the ma
sonry."
Stumbling forward, humiliated and
chagrined, Paul found the entrance,
so cunningly set in the wall that 1t
had escaped his notice. He entered
an apartment decorated sumptuously
in the French style, to find himself
confronting woman of about thirty
years, attractive Of face, but some
what bold Of aspect, and dressed In
the latest Partisan fashion.
$50 you are the gentleman who
wishes to see the Sultan" said the
young woman. You may state your
wants to me. What nation do you
representa-"
Il am the secretary Of syndicate
in Brussels, madam" said Paul glib
ly. 1--WE desire land concession for
the discovery Of rubber, which is be-
leved to grow profusely near Cape
Juba. If his majesty will see me"
She looked at him and laughed i'm
pudently.
There is no rubber near Cape
Juba," she answered. Rubber Is as
sociated with moist climates and
tropical verdure, my dear Paul Lane
Paul started up In confusion.
mo, but you must assuredly see
his majesty after having gone
through such perils," said the young
woman. 'As a representative of the
interests of-Spain, is 1t not? Pardon
me if I am forgetful, for we have 20
many applicants, seeking to wiring
something from poor Morocco-as a
representative of Spain you must not