Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-06-16


and hurried or across the docks. On
the landing stage, mind"
The captain came and put his head
out of the door.
MIR. Quest" he said. "can you spare
me a moment? You can all come, If
you like"
They moved up towards him. The
captain closed the door of his cabin.
He pointed to carpet-sweeper which
lay against the wall.
Look at that" he invited.
They lifted the top. Inside we're sew
eral sandwiches and small can Of
| Tea.
what on earth is this?" Quest de-
mardeG.
The captain, without a word, led
them into his inner room. A huge
lounge stood in one corner. He lifted
the valance. Underneath were some
crumbs.
You see," he pointed out, there's
room there for a man to have hidden,
especially IL he could crawl out on
deck at night. l couldn't make out
why the dickens Brown was always
sweeping out my room, and took up
this thing little time ago and looked
| at IL. This is what ! found
Where's Brown?" Quest asked,
quickly.
Il rang down for the chief steward"
the captain continued, and ordered
Brown to be sent up at once. The
chief steward came himself instead.
II seems Brown went of without his
wages, but with huge parcel of bed
ding, on the first barge this morn
ing, before anyone was about"
Quest groaned as he turned away.
Captain" he declared, Il am
ashamed. He has been here all the
time and we've let him slip through
our fingers. Girls" he went on brisk
ly, turning towards Laura, who had
| just come up. ''India's of. Wen
catch this barge, IL there's time. pour
luggage can be put on shore when the
boat docks"
The captain walked gloomily with
them to the gangway.
| Professor" Quest asked, how long
would it take US to get to this Mongar
village you spoke about?'
1.-TWO or three days, IL we can get
camels," the other replied. Il see you
agree with me, then, as to Craig's
probable destination"
Quest nodded.
What sort of fellows are they, any.
way?" he asked. viii it be safe
for us to push on alone?"
With me-" the professor assured
him. "yon win be safe anywhere.
speak a little OF their language.
have lived with them. They are far
more civilized than some OF the In
terror tribes"
They disembarked and were driven
to the hotel, still discussing their
project. The professor had disap-
peared for some time, but rejoined
them later.
1T is all arranged" he announced.
Il found dragoman whom / knew.
We shah have fouf of the best cameis
and a small escort ready to start to-
4
have news. An Englishman, whose
description precisely tallies with
Craig's, started OFF only an hour ago
in the same direction. This time,
at any rate, Craig cannot escape US"
They made their way back to the
hotel, dined in a cool, bare room. and
sauntered out again into the streets.
The professor led the way TO a little
building, outside which man was vol
ubly inviting all to enter.
You shall see one of the sighfs of
Port Said, he promised This IS
real Egyptian dancing girl"
A girl, who seemed to be dressed in
little more than winding veil, giided
on to the stage, swaying and moving
slowly to the rhythm of the monoto-
nous music. She danced a measure
which none Of them except the pro-
fessor had ever seen before. coming
now and then SO close that they could
almost feel her hot breath, and Lenora
felt somewhat vaguely disturbed by
the glitter OF her eyes.
Suddenly Laura leaned forward
Look at the professor, she whis-
pered.
They all turned their heads. A queer
change seemed to have come into the |
professors face. His teeth were
cleaning between his parted lips. his
head was thrust forward a little. his |
eyes were filled with strange. hard
light He was a transformed being,
unacceptable, perturbing. Even
while they watched. the girl fioated |
close to where he sat and leaned to-
wards him with a queer, mocking
smile. His hand suddenly descended
upon her foot. She laughed still more.
There was little exclamation from
Lenora. The professors whole frame
quivered. He snatched the anklet
from the girls ankle and bent over 1t. /
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