Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1913-02-26

full-hedged adventure. Lordi what a
mess of it I've made. I forgot, next
to this bally rug, Mahomed loved me-"
The hitherto credulous George had
of late begun to look into facts in
stead of dreams. He did not believe
a word of this amazing confession, de-
spite the additional testimony of For
tune, relative to Ryanne's statements
made to her in the bazaars.
"The bitter bitten" was Georges
sole comment.
Ryanne breathed easier.
why not tell Mahomed at once,
and have him send courier back for
the rug?" suggested Fortune.
by Jove, that clears up everything.
Well do it Immediately" George felt
better than he had at any stage of the
adventure. Here was q simple way
out Of the difficulty.
Softly" said Ryanne. "Iet us
come down to the lean facts. If that
rug is in your room, Fortune, your
mother has discovered it long before
now. She will turn it over to your
estimable uncle. None Of us will ever
see 1t again, I'm thinking. The Major
knows that Jones gave me thousand
pounds for it." Struck by a sense Of
impending disaster, Ryanne began to
tumble in his pockets. Gone! Every
shilling of it gone! "He's got that,
too; Mahomed; the cash you gave me,
Jones. Wait a moment; don't speak;
things are whirling about some. Over
nine hundred pounds; every shilling
of it. We mustn't let him know that
I've missed it. I've got to play weak
in order to grow strong. But
they will at least start up row as
to your whereabouts, Fortune"
mo-" thoughtfully; mo, do not
think they will"
The undercurrent was too deep for
George. He couldn't see very clearly
just then. The United Romance and
Adventure Company; was that all?
Was there not something sinister
behind that name, concerning him? He
looked patiently from the girl to the
| adventurer.
Ryanne stared at the yellow desert
beyond. His brain was clearing rap
| idly under the stimulus of thought
He himself did not believe that they
would send out search-parties either
| for him or for Fortune. He could not
fathom what had given Fortune her
belief but he realized that his own
was based upon the recollection of
| that savage mood when he had thrown
down the gauntlet. Now they would
accept it. He had run away with For
tune as he had boldly threatened to
do. The mother and her precious
brother would proceed at once to New
York without him. He had made a
fine middle of il all But for a glass
of wine and a grain too much of con-
f1dence, he had not been here this day.
Mahomed, himself astir by this
time, came over to the group, leisure
ly. The three looked like conspiraz
tors to his suspicious eye, but unlike
conspirators they made no effort to
separate because he approached. He
understood: as yet they were not
afraid of him. That was one Of the
reasons he hated white men; they
could seldom be forced to show fear,
even when they possessed it, Well,
| IhOSO luAOS huOW WudI lOc1A
was before they saw the last of him.
He carried kurbash, cowhide whip,
! which he twirled idly, even sugges,
lively. First, he came to George.
eff you have Yhiordes, there is still
a chance for you. Cairo is but fifty
, miles away. Bagdad is several hun
dred." He drew the whip caressingly
Through his fingers.
II do not lie," replied George, tru-
culent sparkle in his eyes. 81 told
you that 1 had it not. 1t was the
truth"
A ripple of anxiety passed over Ma
homed's face. "And your" turning
upon Ryanne, with suppressed savage
ness. How he longed to lay tie lash
upon the dog!
Don't look at me-" answered Ry-
anne waspishly. "If had it l should
not be here" All, for bit of his old
strength! He would have strangled
Mahomed then and there. But the
drug and the beating had weakened
: him terribly.
IF give you the rug" interposed
Fortune, twill you promise freedom
/, to us all?''
Mahomed stepped back, nonplussed.
He hadn't expected any information
from this quarter.
Il have the rug" declared Fortune
calmly, though she could scarcely
hear her own voice, her heart beat
go furiously.
"You have it?" Mahomed was con-
fused. Here was a turn in the road
upon which he had set no calculation
All three of them!
Yes. And upon condition that you
l1berate us all, l will put it into your
hands. But 1t must be my writing
this time"
A white man would have blushed
under the reproach Of her look. Ma
homed smiled amiably, pleased over
his cleverness. Where is the kis-
Weh?"