The Washington times., 1915-05-17
CHAPTER XXI. (Continued.)


CHAPTER XXI. (Continued.)
Captain" he declared. 81 am asham.
ed. He has been here all the time and
we've let him slip through our fingers. '
Girls" he went on briskly. turning
.India's of. Wen catch this barge. If
there's time. Our luggage can be put on
shore when the boat docks"
The captain walked gloomily with
Il shall miss you ALL" he told Laura.
She laughed In his face.
II you ask me. think you'n be glad
to be rid Of us.
mot of you, Miss Laura" he insisted.
She made a little grmace.
You're as bad as Mr.. Harris she
declared. Wen come for another trip
with YOU some day
They left him leaning disconsolately
over the rails. The professor and Quest
sat side by side on one of the trunks
which were piled d1p. up on the barge; se long
would it take Us to get to this Mongar
village you spoke aboutT'
Two or three days, II we can get
agree with me. then. as to Craig's prob
able destination"
Quest nodded.
What sort Of fellows are they any
why2' he asked. win 1t be safe for
US to push on alone?"
with me-" the professor assured him.
you will be safe anywhere. I speak q
little of their Language. have lived
than some of the, interior tribes"
"We'll find a comfortable hotel where
we can leave the girls" Quest began.
You can cut that out" Laura inter;
here. but If YOU think I'm going to miss
q camel ride across the desert. you're
dead wrong. 80 that's all there Is to
Quest glanced toward Lenora. She
leaned over and took his arm
Il simply couldn't be left behind" she
pleaded. i've had quite enough of
The journey will not be an unpleas-
ant one. the professor declared. ami
ably. and the riding OF a camel Is
an accomplishment easily acquired. SO
for as l am aware. too. the district
which we shall have to traverse is en-
tirely peaceable."
They disembarked and were driven
to the hotel. still discussing their prof.
ect. Afterward they all wandered into
where dusky children pulled at their
clothes and ran by their side. where
every now and then a brown-skinned
Arab. on a slow-moving camel. made
his way through the thronss of yelled
Turkish women, Syrians. Arabs, and
Egyptians. Laura and Lenora, at any
rate. attracted by the curious novelty
OF the scene. forgot the heat. the street
smells. and the filthy clothes of the
mendicants and loafers who pressed
against them. They bought strange
tswelry shawls. beads. and perfumes.
The professor had disappeared for
some time, but rejoined them later.
1T Is all arranged" he announced.
II found dragoman whom I knew.
and small escort ready to start to-
morrow morning. Furtherfore. have
news. An Englishman. whose descrip-
ton precisely, tallles with Craigs.
nj a vi AZ ~ @v,1,,
same direction: This time. at any
rate. Craig cannot escape us
He might go on past the Mongar
camp" Quest suggested.
The professor shook his head
"The Mongar village" he explained,
'ts placed practically ut a cul de sac,
20 Tar as regards farther progress
southward without making detour.
desert on either side. in which are
lind Craig with the Mongars."
They made their way back to the
sauntered out again into the streets.
Tho professor led the way to a little
building. outside which man was
Volubly inviting all to enter
They took their seats in the front
row of dimly it, bare-looking room
The stage was dark and empty. From
some unseen place came the monoto-
They waited for some time in vain
At last one or two lights in front were
Ut. the music grew more insistent.
more than a winding veil. gllded on
to the stage. swaying and moving
slowly to the rhythm of the monot-
onous 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
Ien somewhat vaguely disturbed by
Nf h
fume was shaken into the air aroInd
them from her one flowing garment,
through which her limbs continually
mashed. Lenora looked away
II don't like it, she said to Quest,
simply.
Suddenly Laura leaned forward
LOOK at the professor" she whis-
They all turned their heads A queer
change seemed to have come into the
professors face His teeth we're gIeam-
ing between his parted lips. his head
was thrust forward little his ewes
were filled with a strange. hard light.
He was transformed being. unrecog-
nizapie. perturh nC. Even while they
he sat and leaned toward him with a
queer moCking smile. His hand sud
denly descended upon her foot. She
laughed still more. There was a little
fessor's whole frame qulvered. lie
snatched the anklet from the girls an.
kie and bent over it She leaned To-
ward him, torrent Of words streaming
from her lips. The professor answered
her In her own language She listened
TO him in amazement. The anger pass.
ed. She held out both her hands The
professor still argued. She shook her
head. Finally he placed some Rold in
her palms. She patted him on tEe
cheek. laughed into his ewes pointed H,-
hind. and resumed her danco, ".
snkjst remained in the professor =
say, We'll get out OF this" Quest
said. The girls have had enough
The professor made no objection. He
led the way. holding the arklet all the
time close to his eyes. and turning il
round. They rone Of them spoke Ia
him. yet they were all conscious Of an
tense sense Of relief when, after they
had passed into the street. he com
menced to talk in his natural voice.
Congratulate me" he said. II have
been a collector of ENsvntiar gold orre-
ments all nv fife THIS is the onr snk
let ] needed =" com","te nv collection
II has the douh'a mark % ~ Phqraohs
recogn'Zed II at once Tho~o ere a
thous" I'd like It. you would think. II,
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