The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1915-06-10

and hurried of across the docks. Or
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 q 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 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. I couldn't make out
why the dickens Brown was always
sweeping out my room, and | took up
this thing a little time ago and looked
at 1t. This is what l 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.
1t seems Brown went of without his
wages, but with a 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. Well
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 1t take us to get to this Mongar
village you spoke about?"
1.-TWO or three days, IL we a get
camels," the other replied. II 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 it be safe
for us to push on alone?"
With me-" the professor assured
him, you will be safe anywhere. I
speak a little of their language. I
have lived with them. They are far
more civilized than some of the in
terror tribes"
They d~isembarked 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 knew.
We shall have four of the best camels
and a small escort ready to start to.
morrow morning. Furthermore,
have news. An Englishman, whose
description precisely tallies with
Craig's, started of only an hour age
In the same direction. This time
at any rate, Craig cannot escape u.s.
They made their way back to the
hotel. dined in q cool. bare room, and
sauntered out again into the streets
The professor led the way to a little
building. outside which a man was vol
ubly inviting all to enter.
"You shall see one Of the sights o.
Port Said" he promised. This is Q
real Egyptian dancing girl"
A girl. who seemed to be dressed In
little more than q winding veil, glided
on to the stage, swaying and moving
slowly to the rhythm Of the monoto.
nous music. She danced q measure
which none Of them except the pro
lessor had yer seen before, coming
now and then 30 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 . little, his
eyes were filed with . strange. hard
light. He was = transformed being,
unacceptable. perturbing. Even
while they watched. the girl 'ioated
close to where he sat and leaned to.
wards him with . queer, mockins
smile. His hand suddenly descended
upon her foot. She laughed still more.
There was . little exclamation from
Lenora. The ~professors whole frame
Quivered. He matched the anklet
from the girls ankle and bent over Il.