The Washington times., 1918-12-15

o"e'H Oh W III Asnurd-i nave seen II
But there may be danger We do not
And If / am not afraid. what does Il
matter?"
Don't be unreasonable. Connie" said
!essup. "We will return for you"
I'm going. Alan-and that's fat"
she evidently meant wnat she said. and
Daohd Enendi examined her with interest
ana appreciation. She was extremely
handsome
1T shall be As YOU desire. madame" he
said with a smile and bow which savored
more Of court than mosque. 1T shall be
managed"
And with that he clapped his hands
again three times. Ali appearing almost i'm
mediately, to whom Dsoud gave his in
sIructions
you viii go to the Harim." he said to
Constance, and they win dress you"
Constance looked at dubious Jessup
smiling triumphantly. and followed their
host toward the door.
Make haste, Madame" said Daoud. I'VE
must leave in ten minutes"
But when she had gone Jessup sank
upon the deewan and lighted a cigarette.
Il don't like this, Effendi," he said
Daoud shrugged his shoulders and
showed his white teeth in a smile What
would you have. Mr.. Jessup Is it not true
that In America your women always do
just as they please?"
But we are not In America" growIed
Jessup.
The return Of All with a bundle OF gar
ments put an end to protests, and Jessup
got into the burnus and headdress of a
Bedawee sheikh, while Ali, under Daoud's
directions, stained his face and hands. He
felt good deal Of fool, like debutante
being made mp for private theatricals, and
IN the heat OF the room was already per-
spifing copiously. But when Daoud Ef-
fendi handed him an automatic and bade
him put It into pocket beneath his robes
he had sense Of the reality of the ven- I.
ture that lay before him
From somewhere in a distant part of
the house came the sounds Of feminine
laughter, and after a short time, while the
three men sat smoking cigarettes and
waiting impatiently, there was a clapping
OF hands in the distance and Ali went out.
returning with veiled female figure which
made Jessup low curtesy.
Peace be on you" 1t said
Oaoud Efendi smiled approvingly.
"On you be peace, and the mercy OF
God and his blessings" ne replied
Constance wore a modish skirt and her
own high-heeled shoes, but over her head
long piece Of drapery called the tarhhah
hanging nearly to the ground and over the
lower part Of her face, the burka fastened
by riband around the forehead, leaving
only the eyes. their lids deeply painted
with kohl, showing above the veil.
But there was no time to exchange com
ment, and Ali Afdal, in a moment. led them
out into the dark passage by which they
had entered. and moving rapidly thev made
their way In the direction of the mosque.
BY the air Of assurance with which
Daoud Ehendi had given his orders and
now conducted him, Alan Jessup was rea-
sonably certain that his affair was in cap
able hands, and as they neared the shadow
Of the edifice, Daoud told him that with the
aid Of Ali they would be enabled to enter
by the private door Of the Nazir and then
move among the crowds within the portico
and sanctuary until they found their man.
having access not only to the CkoObbeh or
tomb Of Hoseyn's head. but to other por-
tions of the mosque as well. Daoud eau
toned the Americans to speak no word of
English. and instructed them in the form
of salutation. IL addressed.
Word had already been sent to Northby
Pasha, and il none Of his plans miscarried
and Captain Won Hengel were still within
the mosque. there was an excellent chance
of capturing both him and the Black Stone
when the ceremonies we're over and be-
fore any damage could be done
Before they reached the door of the
Nazir. DaCud halted the party ard Ali AT
dal went forward up the few steps, where
he stood moment fddling with the dub
beh. and at last the door swung open and
admitted him. Jessup was now tremen-
iously interested and more than a little
excited, for in this door scarcely more
than half an hour before the spurious
sheikh had entered, and he had resolved,
+ they again came face to face, Won Hen
gel would pay his obligation to Jessup
with interest. And the stake for which
he German was gaming made il seem
pretty certain that there would be rue
ion of sorts Jessup was for rushing in
II once but DaOud restrained him until
he ex,moo-ed-din appeared and beckoned,
that the coast was clear.
They entered a dark vestibule lighted by
hanging metal lamps of elaborate work
in which dim fires burned. The
lace was unfurnshed save for few mats
pon the floor. and after All had made fast
he door Daoud cautioned the Americans
o remove their shoes and leave them. and
hen moved forward through a narrow
rchway down passage toward brighter
ght beyond
They we're aware now Of a deep murmur
voices. Of an oppressive heat and the
Mingled OdOrS of strange perfumes ""d
he heaviness which came from a hall
lOsely packed with perSpirins bodies q
eople. Daoud turned down passagewa"
the left. whispering to Jnssup meanwhile
) keep his eyes open. and presently they
merged into the porticO and upon the
argin Of the crowd.
When they reached a certain place the
a-v-fr sy,-N V,aNs