The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-05-08

white bearded Turk of the shop. and
away in terror. How she longed for
the protection of the young man she
had houted. If she had only taken his
advice.
But the old man had snatched away
her golden purse and was greedily
counting over the money contained i'm
it. 1t was goodly sum. for Joseph
Fulham was a rich man.
The three women crowded around
and were made glad with Il coin apiece.
Then they gathered around Cynthia
and plucked off her rings and the little
brooch she wore. They quarreled over
the division of the spoils.
Presently they fell to talking shrilly
with the old man. Cynthia rightly
guessed that they were discussing
what to do with her. She did not I'M
derstand that the women wanted her
murdered and tossed into the Bos-
porus. 1t was the easiest way. they
argued. But the man was experienced.
and he was afraid of the foreigners.
l.
dastardly deed. and he trembled for
his own safety. His plan was to hide
the money and the jewels and when
it was night to take the girl. blind
folded. out into the streets and let her
go. She would never find her way
back to his shop. and if she did the
shop would be empty, for there was
money enough to take him to America.
While they argued the shop remained
unattended.
The tall young American, who was
Hugh Markham Of New York. came
down the street. his blue eyes alert for
a glimpse of the foolhardy girl who
had spurned his protection and advice.
He passed the empty shop of the rug
merchant with careless glance, but
something in the curious glances that
pierced him on every side made him
suspicious.
Hugh Markham paused before the
counter of another perfume shop. and
he had chosen we'll for the yellow old
man was IL strong competitor and
deadly rival of the Turk, who had cap
tuIeu Iyntnid ulIdIn.
What became of the young Ameri-
can Lady," asked Hugh sternly. 'She
came to buy perfumes. and she has dis
appeared" He hazarded this guess
The man threw out his hands, palms
upward. in negative gesture.
"She is hidden in your shop" accused
Hugh. seeking for Il clew. IL will no.
tify the police and have your place
searched
A red light came into the shifty
black eyes. Here was chance to
prove his own innocence and at the
same time get even with his enemy,
Bill Shoosh. the rug merchant.
But it would never do to let his
neighbors see that he had betrayed
Bill Shoosh. So. with hardly notice
able movement of his thumb. he point
ed across the street to the empty shop,
Just as woman's scream rang out
and was instantly stilled.
Hugh Markham whirled about and
dashed across the narrow street. Bill
Shoosh's rival smiled into his black
beard and returned to his pipe The
street was empty once more-only the
peeking eyes from gloomy back
grounds.
Bill ShoOSh had been fool to touch
the girl in broad daylight. when the
streets were full Of tourists. but the
old man was greedy and had overstep-
ped the bounds of prudence. These
Americans would make trouble. So
they waaged their heads and gossip
ed while they watched the door Of
Bill ShOosh's shop.
Cynthia had screamed when the old
Turk laid his hand on her shoulder.
Little by little she had worked the
bandhge from her lips. and after her
loud cry for help Bill Shoosh had saw
agely knotted the scarf so tightly that |
it made her dizzy.
There came the sound Of an APP
preaching whirlwind through the shop.
Furniture was overturned and the |
muttering growls of IN angry man
sent the Turks covering to the four
corners of the room. Bill Shoosh turn |
ed like q wolf and flashed a gittering |
knife when Hugh's broad shoulder
brought the timsy door crashing into |
the stuffy room. The women had |
dragged Cynthia with them to di-
van. and they were pinching her cru |
ely when the storm broke
When it was over Cynthia found her. |
self, like the heroine in a melodrama,
occupying the center of the stage, |
Markham's arm about her in strong |
protection, while the old Turk lay un- |
conscious with IL blow from the Amer |
leans fist The women had been hus-
tied into a corner. and Hugh had tie0 |
their hands with their own scarfs. but |
their tongues were unbridled and the |
Americans could not guess at the tor |
rent Of abuse that was poured forth at |
them.
Cynthia recovered her empty gold |
bag and one of her rings. but the 9th |
ers she would not search for.
"All | want is to get away from |
here" she shuddered. Presently they |
were out in the crooked street and |
later in the Street Of the Goldbeaters.
Hugh took Cynthia to the Hotel Con- |
stantia and turned her over to her ia |
TIERS care. Mr.. Fulham had just dis |
missed his caller and was searching |