Evening star., 1917-09-30

for. 1fko eypll announcing oeoeA "
tion, her appearance in the drama al
most Invariably presaged fresh TRACE
dies.
And now my doorbell was ringing
SO certain was Of the identity OF my
visitor that as I walked along the pas
sage was endeavoring to make up my
mind how should receive her.
opened the door; and there. wearing
European garments but green tur-
ban-stood Hassan of Aleppo.
"Effendi." said my visitor, do no,
hesitate to act as 1 direct!'
In his gloved hand he carried what
appeared to be an ebony cane. He
raised and pointed it directly at me: ]
perceived that it was in fact a hollow
tube.
Death is in my hand" he continued;
"enter slowly. and I will follow you"
Like a hypnotic subject l walked
rible visitor. who reclosed the door be-
hind me.
He sat facing me across my Uttered
table. with the mysterious tube held
closely in his grasp.
There is one about to visit you," he
said. whom you know, whom | think
you expect. For it Is written that she
shall come and such events cast a
shadow before them !; too. shall be
present at your meeting!
His eagle eyes opened widely; they
burned with fanaticism.
Already she is here!" he resumed
suddenly. and bent as one listening.
she comes under the archway: she
crosses the courtyard-and is upon the
stair! Admit her. effendi. I shall be
close behind your
The doorbell rang.
With the consciousness that the black
tube was directed toward the back OF
my head, I went and opened the door.
On the landing stood girl wearing
simple white frock which fitted her
graceful figure perfectly.
Mr. Cavanagh." she said. very calmly
and deliberately, there is only one
way. now. to end all this trouble.
come from the man who can return the
slipper to where it belongs. but he
wants his price!
"Will you please come in." I said
quickly. and stood aside to admit her.
Exhibiting wonderful composure. she
entered-and there in the badly lighted
other visitor!
Even in the gloom could see that her
composure was deserting her; her
beautiful face was pal1id.
"Oh. God!" she whispered, all but in
audibly-"You!"
Hassan. grasping the black rod in
his hands. signed to her to enter the
study She stood quite near to me,
closer to her.
my revolver-in left-hand table
drawer" 1 breathed in her ear. Get
it, He is watching mel''
I could not tell If my words had been
understood, for, never taking her gaze
from the sheik of the assassins. she
sidled into the study. 1 followed her
and Hassan came last of all. just
within the doorway he stood, confront
ing u.s..
the girl and speaking in perfect Eng
lish. but with a marked accent. ito
open your impudent negotiations
through Mr.. Cavanagh for the return
of the thrice holy relic to the museum!
Your companion. the man who Is in
spired by the evil one has even dared dared
from me! Move no closer to that
table"
I started Either Hassan Of Aleppo
was omniscient or he had overheard my
whispered words!
stand" he continued. But to do SC
} would profit me nothing. This meeting
has been revealed to me. Last night
revealed to me by Er-Rowbanee. in the
mirror of Ink. that the shipper of the
prophet (Salla-'lllaabu 'aleybi wasel-
lymD shall indeed return to that place
it,
He turned his blazing eyes upon me;
Tomorrow, ere noon" he said. "the
slipper will again be in the museum from
which the man Of evil stole 1t. We met
last night, you and 7. but at that time
much was dark to me that now is light.
The holy Alec spoke to me in vision.
saying. There are two KEYS to the case
in which 1t will be locked. Secure one.
leaving the other with him who holds
It! Let him swear to be secret. This
shall be the price of his lifev"
The black tube was pointed directly at
my forehead.
"Effendi," concluded the speaker.
place in my, hand the key Of the case
in the Antiquarian museum"
Hands convulsively clenched, the g1rl
was looking from me to Hassan. MY
throat felt parched. but I forced speech
to my lips.
"Your omniscienca fails you.'' I said.
Both KEYS are at my banku