The Washington times., 1919-02-23

rot to look, but beneath his lash58 saw
that the Sheykh still leaned forward, star
ing and mumbling. obliviOus Of the grim
shapes that encompassed him; saw the
cropping arms and hands suddenly close
around the sheykh's throat and mouth,
garrotting him silently and dragging him
backward by sheer strength to the edge Of
the abyss, over which the two figures slid
and vanished.
The occurrence was almost uncanny.
Alan listened for the sound Of falling
bodies, but only heard a kind Of choking
cough and after that-sIlence. Less than a
hundred feet away the sheykhs by the
embers Of their fire still lay IN slumber.
Alan struggled desperately to release
himself. Who had done this thing? Not
Amneh. Daoud? He had worked his thong
clear OF the rock when he felt his hands
suddenly become free, then his ankles,
and rolling over silently, heard q whisper
at his elbow Just at the edge Of the ehasm.
He could distinguish nothing Of the dim
figure before him sliding down upon the
ledge below, but he followed as quickly as
his stiffened limbs would allow, reaching
a group near the PROSTATE figure Of the
Sheykh. who lay very stiIl.
There's no time to spare, Mr.. JesSup,
sir" whispered q familiar voice. It's .
terrible chance you took. If It hadn't bosa
for Miss Amneh here, sir"
Amneh! Alongside Of him, clinging dos.
perately to his arm. the fingers Of her
other hand stil clutching the knife that
had released him, she huddled against the
rock, her face pallid as the dawn It r.
hected.
Il had to. Monsieur Alan" she gasped,
''they would have killed you"
II found her, SIR" whispered Dawson,
"doWn the Wadi, cryin' her eyes out-Gnd
she brought me up here. Be careful, sir.
The ledge Just below is slippery. So, now,
Miss, while II lift you down"
Still beWildered, but realizing that every
moment counted, Alan descended quickly,
helping Amneh down, carrying her part Of
the way IN his arms while she elung to
him in terror, murmuring strange foreign
words ct his ear, while Dawson followed
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guarding against pursuit. Now that vic.
tory, ct least . temporary one. had perched
50 suddenly, 90 surprisingly upon his ban
ners, Alan planned what he should do next.
moment ago he would have given all
he possessed for the very chance Of escape
that had been offered him, but when he
reached the bottom Of the rayine and no
sound yet came from the cliR which they
had descended he gazed up the line Of the
gully toward the rocks at its end, which
seemed Q part Of the bulk Of the clin
which guarded the upper gorge. The spot
where they stood was deep in shadow, car
peted with soft sand in which small trees
and clumps Of vegetation were striving for
existence
"The men are coming, DaWson3'' Alan
whispered.
Soon, sir, should say. was ahead
with Captain Hoagland. He's waiting Tor
them in the village"
There may be time to head them OR."
Head 'em on, sir?"
Captain Won Hengel has just climbed
those rocks to watch. If he sees them"
"Oh, understand, sir"
Alan looked down the shadows Of the
ravine
Where does this gully lead, DawSOuF'
he asked.
Into the desert, sir, about half mile
above the caravan road"
Then you can get Miss Amneh out
safely?"
az should say so. sir, unless they sip
around"
Then go-at once. Lose no time ana
warn Hoagland. They'll be about our ears
like hornets in q minute"
"And you, Monsieur Alan?" whispered
Amneh, terrified.
Alan smiled down at her gayly.
'Tn come soon. Go with Dawson. You're
the bravest girl in the world"
You will venture again?"
There's something I've got to do, Am
neh. I'll come through safely-dont
worry"
They will kin you this time"
Not while my legs hold out. rye
learned prudence. ! shall rum"
20, God!" She clung to his shoulders,
weeping silently, and he bent over and
kissed her on the brow and handed her
gently to Dawson, who stood watching his
employer.
"If might be so bold, Mr.. Jessup, sir.
think you'd better be coming along with
US. Miss Constance is there"-
Constance! Alan paused a moment in
indecision and then firmly:
Il can't, Dawson, not just yet"
IF you'll pardon me- sir, there's such q
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