Evening star., 1917-09-09
THE FIGHT FOR THE SAFE.

of Aleppo. he referred as Tabled
being: yet it was at the hand of this
tabled being that he had met his
end,
sound intruded-the ringing of my
door bell 1 rose from my chair with
a weary sigh went to the door and
opened it An aged oriental stood
without He was tall and straight had
a snow white beard and clearcut. hand
some features He wore wellcut Euro
pean garments and a green turban- AS
I stood, staring he saluted me grave
ly.
Mr.. Cavanagh?" he asked. speaking
in faultless English. Il learn that the
the services of a Moslem workman are
required"
Quite correct sir: but you should
apply at the Offices OF Messrs- Rawson
& Rawson. Chancery Lane.
The old man bowed smiling.
Many thanks; / understood so mucn
But my position being a peculiar one.
I wished to speak with you-as a friend
of the late professor"
You will pardon me, said: but
the work is scarcely of a kind
He raised his thin hand
Il am not undertaking it myself l
wished to explain to you the conditions
under which l could arrange to furnish
suitable porters.
His patient expression disposed me
to believe that he was merely some
kind of small contractor. and in any
event l had nothing to fear from this
frail old man.
step in, sir" ] said. repenting of my
brusQuerie. and stood aside for him.
He enteredfi with that oriental meek
ness in which there is something ma
jestic. I placed chair for him in the
study. and re-seated myself at the
table.
From the papers. Mr. Cavanash," be-
gan the old man. "I have learned of
the circumstances attending the death
of Professor Deeping. Your paper
he smiled. and / thought how like his
smile in its sweetness was to that OF
late cardinal-.your papers know all,
Now, l understand why a Moslem Is
required and | understand what is re-
quired of him But, remembering that
the object of his labor would be to
place holy Moslem relic on exhibition
for the amusement of unbelievers. can
YOU fairly expect to obtain the service
of oner"
Perhaps not" I replied For my
back in Mecca or wherever IT came
from But Professor Deeping-"
Professor Deeping was a thorn in
the flesh of the faithful
Nevertheless his wishes must be con-
sidered" l said. and the methods
adopted by those who seek to recover
the relic are such as to ALLEVIATE all
sympathy"
Il can admit nothing against the
Guardian of the Traditions. Mr. Cav
anagh. The Prophet taugh, that we
should smite the infidel. I ask you
have you the courage of your convic-
tions?"
Perhaps; I trust So
Then assist me to rid England of
what You call survival OF the dark
ages l will furnish the porters to re-
move and carry the safe if YOU will de-
liver to me the key"
That Is madness" | cried. IN the
first place l should be compromising
with my conscience and In the second
place / should be defenseIess against
those who might"
have with me a written promise
from one highly placed-one TO whose
Will Hassan of Aleppo bows,
My siind greatly disturbed. l watched
the venerable speaker. | was soreIv
tempted to accede to his proposal For
nothing would be gaAed by any one II
the slipper remained forever at the
whereas by connivink at its re-
covery by those who, after ALL were its
rishtfui owners. l should be Kidding Eng
iano ,6in 6i weird S,ss and undesirable yisitant,
remembered that the Hashishin had mur-
dered Prof. Deeping and had mutilated
others wholly innocent of ofrense l looked
hfross hi1sss, at 1t, the 20; old man He had drawn
nrst time fully raising his lids had fixed
upon me the piercing gaze of a pair of
eagle eyes. / started. for the aspect of
this majestic figure was entirely different
from that of the old stranger who had
stood suppliant before me a moment ago
1T is impossible | said II can come
to no terms with those who shield nur-
derers"
He regarded me fixedly, but did not
move.
'Es-selaam' aleykum," ("Peace be on
youo l added. closing the interview in
the eastern manner.
Wa -'aleykum.'' ("and on you.") he
said
1 conducted him to the door and closed