Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-18

what is your idea about discovering
these emeraIds? You've claimed that
the purchase of this rug was only the
first step toward making the three of
us rich. We've put all our available
coin into it. What nextT
'Well, the manuscript says that this
famous rug is a replica of the floor of
the rose mosque in Tabriz. Unfor-
tunately, there is much discussion as
to which of the modern mosques was
built upon the old foundation and floor
ing of the ancient rose mosque. Now
that we have the floor plan it is my
suggestion that we take the rug to
Tabriz with US, and when We find the
mosque floor plan that matches up with
it, why, we will find some way to
burrow down and get those jewels.
Well have to pay something to the
government, | suppose"
Suppose we fail. We will be out
our money and the trip we planned"
BE Il sport" said Tom disgustedly.
''If we win we can take holidays and
holidays. John, I'm with you. When
do we sail?"
The 22d-Prince Joachim" said John
promptly.
Engage my passage. too" groaned
Billy.
Done" said John Fleming, rolling
up the rug. Now, you chaps. clear out.
I've got a lot to do in the next three
days"
Fourteen days later the three friends
and the Tabriz carpet landed in the
Persian city and put up at very in
different hotel. John Fleming had
gained for himself the reputation of
being eccentric, for he Travelled no.
where without a rolled and strapped
steamer rug in his hand. He even APP
peared at the captains table with 1t
| during the passage. and his plea that
he needed it for a foot rest was not
| entirely acceptable to his table COM
| paniOns.
They did not know that carefully
| sewed between two steamer rugs was
| the carpet from Tabriz.
| The morning after their arrival in
the city they set forth on their search
! had been lost in many pillaging and
sacking of the city by infdels Some
where in the street of Sweet Incense
was rebuilt mosque whose floor
would correspond with the pattern OF
the Tabriz carpet.
1t was not until the second day that
they stood in small mosque wedged
1 In, do, IL hui 10
! Fleming did not unroll his rug. 1t was
not necessary. for even to the unstud
led eyes OF Billy Blake and Tom Pike
the floor of the edifice was similar II
arrangement to that of the silky rug
AS they stood there gazing. John Elem
ing pointing here and there through
the gloom. there became visible
through the wear Of centuries and tn
pressure OF countless feet, traces 0
the beautiful marble floor The altar
which might once have been that ia
nous gem of peacock coloring. ha'
been in q later day of restoration over
laid with gold leaf. hut it was there.
Beneath that, chg" muttered Bill
Blake. drawing a long breath.
tbliik 30, Saiu john proudly. .
whats your plan nowt' growle
Tom.
You two slide out, while / renal
behind. can conceal myself in OIL
of the anterooms until dusk. The
you two return with tools. and I'll /
you in. We can remove the altar in
jiffy and have the treasure out III
away in no time
. How about the guard? Isn't the
: some kind of a Waterman on duI
, here:"
Hardly. The priests have troub
: enough in rounding up the sinners
. the daytime. No danger OF the "a
, Gals haunting the mosque at nlgf
! Most Of them are drinking sweet &C