The Washington times., 1919-02-09

crew.. By thus isolating all the cOnspir-
ators it was hoped that the Black Stone
and the documents as to it's authenticity
would be found and recovered, and Won
Hengel and the Sherifs brought aboard
the yacht.
HOagland and twenty men were to fol-
low a few hours later, all disguised in
Arab clothing and all bearing Enfield
rifles and automatic pistols, which they
were to use only in the urge OF necessity.
Dawson was to meet them and direct them
upon the path OF the marching caravan.
AS a sign that Abdullah Sadi was so far
true to his word, many camels arrived in
patiently tethered together close by the
howell Of the keeper Of the shrine, whom
Alan had bought body and soul for two
gold pieces. Also. he bought the camel
men with a sovereign apiece, and already
they worshipped him. Forward on the
Turkana carnival reigned, for twenty men
were being made up" for the party. All
details having been arranged before Ieav-
ing Alexandria the men submitted as their
faces, arms and legs were stained, while
they doffed neat sailor toys and put on
kamis and kufiyah. Many were the yeIls
of derision and loud the laughter at the
sallies Of the masqueraders.
"Oh, boy" cried New Yorker, eff Sec
ond avenue could only see me nOw!"
YES" laughed another, "an' Nike
In,
pipes you of. dey won't stop runnin' dis
.ide o. Bombay"
Amt l de swell guy?" yelled Mike.
'Rameses amt got nothin' on me-"
mo, nor Cleopatra, neither. But wait
till ye git a hawse Of a camel, dearie.
De mid-Atlantic in blow won't be nothin'
to it."
"S'elp me-" growled q Londoner, low
can a blokey fight with this ere airy
thing a-tickin' Of is legs?"
Tuck it up, me son-so. Now you look d,
like de Midnight Follies!"
AYE. An feel like Venus in-in a
bloomin' bearskin. Come ere, Sarah Burn
hart, an swing on to this toppin'-lift"
Hoagland sacrificed. with a sigh, per-
fectly good moustache, which was too
bristly for the purposes of the evening,
but he wouldn't have given up this party
for the whiskers of Mohammed himself
The only ones who didn't share in the
merriment were Rawlings, the mate, and
members Of the guns crews, who were to
be left behind to protect the retreat
Alan, who had listened to this colloquy
from the shadow Of a nearby Venula5or,
laughed as he went below for a wink of
sleep. At the door into the saloon he met
Constance Masterson coming out.
You've determined on this mad ven
ture?" she asked him.
"Of course" he said, pleasantly. And
then, II hope you have everything that you
require"
Its madness, what you're DOING" she
broke in; ito go ashore in this enemy
country with twenty men-against thou
sands. If you won't consider your own
safety, pray you to consider theirs"
Alan laughed The men! I couldn't
stop them now if l wanted to. If you
don't believe it go forward and look"
But she grew grave at once.
Il am incapable of-of looking after
many wounded"-
Lets hope there won't be any"
Then you've determined"
Quite" he said, pleasantly
She examined him wide-eyed for a mo-
ment, and he returned her look with a
level gaze, very politely, but with a calm
purpose and air of command that was not
to be denied. Then she turned slowly and
went away. She did not understand
could not accustom herself to this cool and
very determined person who had once been
Alan Jessup.
Daoud could foresee certain tactical ad-
vantages in having a woman with them
one like Amneh, who could listen
and understand With a woman in their
party they were less likely to be objects OF
suspicion, should there be any scouting
against a surprise There would be little
danger to a yelled woman unless she were
discovered in some overt act Of enmity,
and if Daoud's plans failed. size had only to
mount a camel which would be left IN
safe place and return to the Turkana.
The two men did no. LOtice that Amneh
was at their sides listening to this CONVEX
sation. But suddenly they heard her soft
voice at their elbows:
do you desire me to go, Monsieur
Alan?" she asked.
Alan smiled. 1T is as you please" he
replied. You know the face of Omar
HilaI Perhaps that would be help. But
there may be danger"
You wish me with you, Monsieur Alan?"
Il wish merely for your peace of mind
II you fear-I wish you to stay aboard the
Turkana'