The Press., 1917-03-01

| Die,
 Be seated, Effendi," he said courte.
 ously.
 You are a maker of shawIs?" asked
 Di, k, sitting down and lighting cigar.
 Achmed shook his head. T am a
 beater of metals," he said. with a sort
 of naughty pride.
 Perhaps I've made a mistake. I'm
 sure Brown said it was the house of
 Achmed Haroun," muttered Dick.
 "Buroun? You speak of Effendi Bu-
 r0un?" demanded the old man eagerly.
 Yes; he said to tell you to show me the silver shawl
 A silence fell upon the little shop.
 Arnmed's wrinkled hands fell nerve-
 lessly to the table. The little toos
 tinlled as they scattered; it almost seemed as though the two men ceased
 to breathe. Achmed's eyes gIowed
 like twin cQals of fire: his pasty face 1 was drawn in fear.
 Dick sat ngidly, wondering what had happened to paralyze Achmed with
 fear. Was 1t the same terror that had sent Alschid with flying feet toward
 home? Was 1t the mention of the sill
 yer shawl? What strange thing was | this that galvanized one man and para | IyZed another?
 "Well?" he snapped sharply. Still .Achmed stared with burning eyes that bored right through the Amer
 cans silk shirt collar. l Dick unjOinted his tall form "How about the silver shawl?' he asked l irascibly.
 "Hush!' Achmed's voice hissed through the cell. You really-mean it?'' he quavered.
 ''Why, yes. It's what l came for" 1 Return at sundOwn," advised Ach- mel. "KnOck thrice at my door. Eff ] fendi."
 Very we'll" And Dick went reluc- ] tantIy,
 At sunset or few minutes after the faithful had turned their faces toward , Me ca, Dick knocked three times at the closed door of Achmed's shop. 1t opered noiselessly, and he entered to { find the shop dark, but light shin i ing through parted curtains at the , back. The light came from a lamp 1 placed far down the length of mar 1 row corridor that seemed to lead into the heart of the hill. Achmed was standing by the lamp, I'hiS beard gripped tightly in one wcin- iled hand, his black eyes blazing with some inward fire.
 You see, I am on time" remarked 1 Dick.
 | 'Effendi is Overanxious," remarked \ Achmed dryly. Follow me-" He led ] the way down a cross passage and turned again into a damp, earthy smelling room. The beamed ceilings Sagged as with the weight of earth bovc item.
 Rather a damp place to keep ihawls,' criticised Dick when the rough door had closed behind them. He felt vague feeling of uneasiness in this underground place. He was glad he had fully armed himself. He told himself rather grimly that he should have remembered that Pliny Brown would not have sent him to any place for any good. Instinct prompt. cd him t0 suspect treachery. My shawl does not mind the damp neSS." Whined Achmcd as he burrOwed n q carved chest in one corner.
 "i| it Tor sale?'
 You r:ean the silver shawl?"
 of course. Do you want to sell it?" l. .Arhmed laughed eeriIy. "Wh0 would jur:" lie cackled. "He who tries 1t 'l cannot buy 1t, for he belongs to it."
 'Tn thc silver shawl?'
 gro the silver shawl" came back Achmcd'S muffied voice from the cor ncr where he knelt before the chest. Dirk was not much impressed. He was uS"d to the childish theatricS of the oriental, but something in +Achmed's volcc sent a queer shiver down the Americans spine. He wondered if the rugs Swaying against the drafty walls conc cealed assassins. He wondered if he was watched by dozens of eyes while he waited for .Achmed to bring the silver shawl: His hand gripped his automatic with il degree of com tOrting assurance s.Ga& : Here it, is. Effelnli,'' said Achmed, suddenly appearing. before Eim. This is the silver shawl"
 Thai aIi!" Dicks voice died away ill sigh of appreciation.
 The so called silver shawl was Il delicate piece of silver frost work ham, mered out by Achmed's patient fingers into an exquisite pattern of pOmegran- ate flowers and fruit. Beaten to an incredible thinness, re-enfOrced by many hidden ring and bolt, it e. pressed in it's entirety the life work of | the metal beater. !. Dick exclaimed. admired, adOred, and at last Achmed offered to throw 1t l around the Americans shoulders. 4 'Effendf may say he has worn the I silver shawl" he said significantly. ' "Y said. He who tries it on can aot buy it, for he belongs to it. re- minded Dick as Achmea fitted the flex- \ ible garment over Dicks broad shoul- l ders and fastened little clasp in front. l
 Its too tight for me-" grunted Dick. l Take it off. Achmed."
 But Echmed had strangely vanished. The t1o&r of exit was closed. The lamp tile shawl grew tighter every moment! Dick gasped and strug- gled. His arms were piniOned to his sides. What ailed this queer garment with its powers of contraction? Every movement of his shoulders seemed to set in motion some new that drew the torture gar. ment tighter about him. He could not move his hands, and the thin sharp edges of the shawl" cut sharply into the flesh about his neck.
 Dick ealized that death was near, lust as he realized that Pliny Browl had wreaked.. vengeance upon him at last. The silver shawl must be we'll known in this part of the country, for the very sound of it's name had sent F Alschid flying toward home. , There was q strange thudding sound rom above: some loose earth rattle,l town: then the rotting beams fell iii