Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-10-14

gage to keep the affair a secret from
every living soul, merely asking in re.
turn that you will use your influence
on behalf of French interests in the
questions which are now under discus.
sion between the powers
HE heard me out with great atten.
tion, looking at me all the while as If
to ascertain how much l really knew
or suspected When | had finished he
Observed
But suppose | tell you l am in
reality as ignorant as yourself of the
cause of this strange mutilation?'
II returned a sarcastic smile.
I should answer that ! myself am
not altogether ignorant on the point,
as you will perhaps believe when l
show you this object, which l discov.
cred under circumstances you will
hardly ask me to explain
"And l produced the slipper, which
l had brought with me from the en-
bassy.
"'When l found this slipper l add.
ed, 1T contained human foot.
land this foot continued, with a
stern glance, was rendered remarka-
BILE by certain deformity-'
"'Ah!'
'He sprang to his feet and clutched
at his beard, while he paced the room
with irregular strides. l watched him
keenly. Presently he turned to me
with searching gaze.
'Ferinshee, can trust you?' he de-
manded firmly. If | tell you every.
thing, what security do you offer me
for my life?'
1.-The honor of Frenchman!' re-
piled with superb gesture.
1T is enough
And with those words he sank
down upon couch, exhausted by his
agitation. Finally he recovered him.
self sufficiently to relate the circum-
stances.
"Mehemed Rushdi gave me the
story, as nearly as l can recollect it, in
these words:
You cannot be ignorant of the in
tense feeling which prevailed against
Abdul-Aziz in this capital, a feeling
which is sufficiently shown in the de.
meanor of the mob since his death has
been announced. But like most for.
eigners, you have perhaps attributed
this feeling to political motives. The
truth of the matter is, however, differ
ent
"During the last years of his reign
the sultan was guilty Of outraging his
subjects in the Mussulman's most sa
cred feelings. He had acquired the
custom of going out from his palace al
night, dressed in some mean disguise
and wandering through the streets in
search of adventures. In so far he
may have proposed to himself the
model of the caliph of Bagdad, but un.
like Harun the just, his adventures
were all of certain kind.
Although this was known to me,
and l had frequently rendered to him
my respectful warnings on the sub
ject, | had, nevertheless, done my best
to repress the seditions which his con.
leagues in the ministry will bear wit.
ness that have on all occasions stood
between AbdulAziz and the conse-
quences of his folly. Had listened to
the solicitations which were addressed
to me, he would have been dethroned
long ago. But | was loyal to my mas
ter, and up to last night had believed
that he was not ungrateful.
"'A month or two ago I made an
addition to my harem in the person OF
Georgian lady, of distinguished birth
and brilliant accomplishments, and
who was, besides strikngly beautiful
Knowing the disposition of the sultan,
l had imported her with the greatest
precautions, through merchant who
is devoted to me. She was brought
up the Golden Horn in a covered gal
ley, and carried to my residence in
closely curtained litter. l carefully re-
Trained from boasting Of my acquisf
tion to my friends, and warned Deka
poulous (the merchant) to be equally
silent.
Having handed over my treasure
to the care of my head eunuch, who
possessed my entire confidence, l i'm.
agined myself secure. For some weeks,
indeed, all went well. The Georgian
was submissive and affectonate, and
my wives were not unduly jealous OF
my new purchase.
"'But at the end Of this time I be.
gan to perceive change in Zaras
manner. She became exacting and
naughty, and had frequent fits of tenn.
per- in one of which she even threat.
ened to leave me- These words caused
me the most profound alarm. l sus-
pected that she had been approached
from outside, and racked my brain to
discover the manner in which l had
been betrayed.
"'You know how things are when
one is no longer able to depend on
ones eunuchs. They are all in league
together, and it requires torture to ar.
rive at the truth. l am naturally hui
name, and rather than resort to those
cruel measures which are usual in
such cases, l resolved to employ STRAIT
egy. | affected to have become tired
of the Georgians society, and even
dropped a hint that l thought of be-
slowing her on a friend At the same
time l loaded the chief eunuch with
favors, and pretended to let him into
my inmost thoughts.
Meanwhile I was engaged in Sc
cretly collecting through various
sources a body of fresh slaves, who