The Spectator. (Ozark, Ark.) 1911-1916, 1915-09-21

the landing stage, mind"
The captain came and put his head
out Of the door.
"Mr. Quest" he said, "can you spare
me a moment? You can all come, II
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 were sew
| eral sandwiches and a small can Of
| tea.
What on earth is this?" Quest de-
manded.
The captain, without 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 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 l took up
this thing little time ago and looked
at it. This is what l found"
where's Brown" Quest asked,
quickly.
| Il rang down for the chief steward"
| the captain continued, "and ordered
Brown 10 be sent up at once. The
chief steward came himself instead.
| 1t seems Brown went off 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. 81 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 como up, "India's Off Wen
catch this barge, il there's time. Our
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, If 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. will 1t be safe
| for us to push on alone?"
| with me-" the professor assured
him, you will be safe anywhere.
| speak 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 a dragoman whom l knew.
| We shall have four of the best camels
| and a small escort ready to start to-
| morrow morning. Furthermore, l
have news. An Englishman, whose
|
| 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 cool, bare room, and
sauntered out again into the streets.
building. outside which a man was vol
ubly inviting all to enter
| You shall see one of the sights OF
Port Said" he promised This Is a
real Egyptian dancing girl"
A girl, who seemed to be dressed In
little more than winding veil, glided
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-
lessor 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 Mt 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 filed with q strange, hard
light. He was transformed being
unacceptable. perturbing. Ever
while they watched. the girl fioated
close to where he sat and leaned to
wards him with queer. knocking
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 anklei
!, from the girls ankle and bent over II