davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-15

therefore, since had no appetite for
further mysteries. I determined to learn
it from another source
"See to the loading of the donkey" I
directed hirn-for three sleek little ami
mails were standing beside him. pa
tiently awaiting the toll Of the day.
Hassan setting about the task with
a cheerful alacrity obviously artificial,
1 approached the native station master,
with whom was acquainted, and put
to him a number of questions respect
ing his important functions-in which
I was not even mildly interested. But
to the Oriental mind a direct inquiry
is an zffront almost an insult; and to
have inquired bfuntly the name Of the
deceased and the manner Of his death
would have been the best way to have
learned nothing whatever about the
matter. Therefore, having discussed in
detail the siothfu1 Incompetence OF
Arab ticket collectors and the lazy con-
dition- and innate viciousness Of Egyp-
tan porters as class. mentioned in
cidentally that I had observed a funeral
leaving Riklxa-
The station master 6who was burst
ing to talk about this very matter. but
who would have declined on principle
to do SO had I definitely questioned
hin) now unfOlded to me the strange
particulars respecting the death OF one,
Ahmed Abdulla. who had been a retired
dragoman though some time employed
as an excavntor.
HE rode out one night upon his
white donkey" said my informant, 'and
no man knows whittier he went. But
it is believed. Kernaby Pasha, that it
was to the Haram el-Kaddab" (the
False Pyramid )--extending hts hand to
where. beyond the belt of fertility, the
tomb OF sneferu up-reared its three
platforms from the fringe Of the desert.
ITO enter the pyramid even in day
time is to court misfortune; to enter
at night is to fall into the hands Of the
powerful Efrcct who dweI1s there. His
donkey returned without him, and
therefore search was made for Ahmed
Abddlia- He was found the next day"
again the long arm shot out toward
the desert-"dead upon the sands, near
the foot of the pyramid
looked into the face of the speaker;
beyond doubt he was in deadly earnest.
why should Ahmed Abdulia have
wanted to visit such a place at night?"
asked.
There Is a great treasure concealed
there. Kernaby Pashas" he replied; "a
The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-15
ried a powerful electric torch.

Eled d pOWSrIul electric Iorcn-
Seated on the threshold OF the en-
trance, fifty feet above the desert level,
cast a final glance backward toward
the Nile valley, then. the lighted torch
carried In my jacket pocket. I COM
n1enced the descent OF the narrow,
sloping passage. Periodically, when
some Granny between the blocks offered
a foothold. I checked my progress. and
inspected the steep path below for snake
tracks
Some two hundred and forty feet Of
labored descent discovered me in a sort
of shallow cavern little more than a
yard high and partly l1ewr out OF the
living rock which formed the founda-
ton OF the pryarnid, In this place I
found the heat to be almost insuIerable.
and the smell of remote mortality which
assai1ed my nostrils from the sand
strewn floor threatened to choke me.
I had little relish for the second part
OF the journey, which lay through a
long horizontal passage rarely exceed
ing fourteen inches in height. The
mere memory of that final crawl of
forty feet or so Is sufficient to cause
me to perspire profusely: therefore let
it suffice that reached the end Of the
second passage, and breathing with DIFF
flculty the deathful. poisonous atmos-
phere of the place, found myself at the
foot OF the rugged shaft which gives
access to the Kings Chamber. Resting
my torch upon a convenient ledge. I
climbed up, and knew myself to be in
The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-15

ring bears a green scarab. upon which
Is written the name OF a king OF Egypt.
The ring is gone. I can see II
The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-15

background. Thres walking figures I
counted, three laden donkeys. and two
camels. Upon the first Of the camels
man was mounted, upon the second was
a shi5reeyeh, a sort Of covered litter,
which I knew must conceal a woman.
The caravan passed out OF sight into
the palm grove which conceals the VII
lage of Meydun1.
I returned my glasses to their case
and stood for some moments deep in
reflection; then 1 descended the slope,
to the tiny encenpnent where I had
left Hassan es-sugrs- He was no
where to be seen and having waited
some ten minutes I grew impatient, and
raising my voice:
"HassanI" I cried; "Hassan es-
Sugra,"
No answer greeted me, although in
the desert stiffness the call must have
been audible for miles. A second and
q third time I called his narne !. =.
and the only reply was the shriH note
Of q. pyramid bat that swooped low
above my head -a1 --r
This mysterious episode affected me
unpieasantly, but DID not divert me
from my purpose succeeded IN cast
ing out certain demons OF superstition
WHO nAA SoU5Al ~ 4sty AOlO upon me-
and prolonged scrutiny-of the sur-
founding desert somewhat aTlayed my
fears Of human surveillance. For my
visit to the chamber in the heart OF
the ancient building had arrayed N.Y.
self in rubber-soled shoes, an old pair
| Of drill trousers. and a pyjama Jacket
A Colt repeater was IN my hip pocket
and, in addition to several instruments
which thought might be useful-in ex-
tracting the ring from its setting, 1 car
The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-15

treasure hidden from the world in the
days of Suleyman the Great, sealed
with his seal, and guarded by the serv-
ants OF Gam Ibn-Gann."
so you think the guardian ojrn
killed Ahmed Abdulla?"
The station master muttered invoca-
tons, and
There are things which may not be
spoken Of" he seid; ''but those who
saw him dead say that he was terrible
to look upon. A great Wefee. a man
Of wisdom famed throughout Egypt
has been summoned to avert the evil:
for IL the anger OF the 0ian is aroused
they may visit tho most painful and un-
fortunate penalties upon all Ritka- ="
HaH an hour later I set out, having
confidentially informed the station mas
ter that I soughtto obtain a Ans tur-
quoige necklet which knew to be in
the possession Of the sheikh Of Mey-
dunn Little did I suspect how it was
written that shoold indeed visit the
house OF the venerable Sheikh. Out
through the fields of young green corn,
the palm groves and the sycamore
orchards rode. Hassan piodding
silently behind me and leading the dom
key who bore the baggage.
I czmped on the western side OF the
pyramid, but well clear Of the marshes,
which are the home OF countless Wild
fowl I had no idea how long It would
take me to extract the coveted ring
from its hiding place (Which Haasan
had closely described to mel; and, re-
membsring the speculative glances of
the villagers, had no intention OF ex-
posing myself against the face OF the
pyramid until dusk should have come
to cloak my operations.
The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-15

Hassan Ses-Sugra.- whose new taci-
turnity was remarkable and whose be-
havior was distinguished by an odd dis
quiet, set out with his gum to procure
our dinner. and L mounted the sandy
slope on the southwest Of the pyramid,
where from my cover behind a mound
Of rubbish, I studded through my field
glasses the belt of vegetation marking
the course Of the Nile. L could detect
no sign Of surveillance, but in view OF
the fact that the smuggling Of relies
out Of Egypt is a punishabIe offspse
my caution was dictated by wisdom.
We dined excellently, Hassan the
Silent and I, upon quail. timed torna-
toes, fresh dates. bread. and Vichy+
water Ito which in my own case was
added a stiff three fingers of whisky.
When the newly risen moon cast an
ebon shadow Of the Pyramid of Sneferu
upon the carpet Of the sands, made
my way around the angle OF the. an
cient building toward the mound on
the northern side whereby one ap-
proaches the entrance. Three PAGES
frem the shadows edge, paused
transflxed. because OF that which con-
fronted me. - =.
Outlined agzinst-the rnoon5bright sky
upon a ridge OF the desert behind and
to the north of tl1e great structure,
stood the motionless figure OF a. mani
AS stood regarding him. he moved.
seemed, to raise his head, then turned
and disappeared beyond the crest.
How long I remained staring at the
spot where he had been L know not;
but I WAS aroused from my useless
contemplation by the jinglins Of camel
bells. The sound came from behind me.
stealing sweetly through the stiffness
from a great distance. I turned in a
flash; whipped out my glasses and
searched the remote fringe Of the
Fayum. Stately. across the jeweied
curtain OF the night moved a caravan.
biackly marked against that wondrous
The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-15

ring bears a green scarab, upon which
is written the name OF a king OF Egypt.
=. The ring is gone can see It
no mora ys<saf SO zzs- IS. g.
Seek it," directed Abu Tabah in a
low voice, and threw more incense upon
the fire. Are you seeking it?"
YES" replied the girl. who now be-
gan to trenbfe violently. 81 am in a
low passage which slopes downward
SO steeply that am AFRAID. e---
Fear nothing said Abu Tabah;
follow the passage
With marvellous fidelity the girl de-
scribed the passage and the shaft lead
ing to the Kings Chamber in the Pyra-
mid Of Meydum. She described the
cavity in the wall where once (ff Has
san es-Sugra was worthy Of credencel
the ring had been concealed.
There is a freshly made hole in the
stonework," she said. The picture has
gone; am standing in some dark Tsece
and the same hand again holds -
ring before me-" - sss-s
as 1t the hand of an Oriental" asked
Abu Tabah. '.or of a European"
at is the hand of a European. y It
has disappeared: I see a funeral pro-
cession winding out from Rixka into
the desert"
In6 rlnB. Q1reCleQ ADu
Tabah. a queer, compelling note in his
voice.
Again he sprinlled perfume upon the
| fire and
"I see a Pharoah upon his throne"
continued the monotonous voice. upon
the first finger of his left hand he
| wears the ring with the green scarab.
A prisoner stands before him in chains;
a woman pleads with the King; but
he is deaf to her. He draws the ring
from his finger and hands it to one
standing behind the tfrone-one who
| has very evil face. ALI >.
-~ The girls voice died away in low
wall Of fear or horror. But -
What do you seer" demanded Abu
| Tabah. ' .sTa 'r
"The death-ring OF Pharaoh" whis-
pered the soft voice tremulously; '1t
is the death-ring. ="
Return from the past to the pres
| ent " ordered Abu Tabah. Where ia
| the ring now?" =-
"I see a long line Of dead men," she
whispered, speaking in kind Of chant:
they are Of all the races of the East.
and some are swatched In mummy
wrappings: the wrappings are scaled
with the death-ring OF Pharaoh. They
are passing me slowly. on their way
across the desert from the Pyramid Of
Meydum to a narrow ravine where 4
tent Is erected. ThoS go to summon
one who is about to join their conl-
pany. =. "a
The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-15

with anything bearing THIS Hgure.
ABU TARAH
As studied the precise wording Of
the note. I seemed to see the slim fig
ure Of its author before me. black
robed. whits-furbaned, and urbane. his
delicate Ivory hands crossed and resting
upon the head Of the ebony cane with
out which I had never seen him I
seemed to see him describe in the air.
with a long. nervous forednger, the
queer device which symbolized the An
cient Egyptian god. Set, the Destroyer.
OF course. It was the aura OF q pow
erful personality, cIinging even to the
written message; but there was soTne-
thing about the impression made upon
ns which argued for the writer's sin
cerity.
That Abu Tabah was some kind OF
zRent, recognized-at any rate unoffi-
ofally-hy the authorities. knew cor
shrewdlr surrnised; but the exact
nsture Of his activities. and how he
reconciled them with his religious
The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-15

We buried him deeply. piiing stones
upon the grave. that the jacka1s of
the desert might never disturb the last
holder OF the death-ring OF Saeferu-
The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-15


"The' truth is now wholly made mani
test."- said Abu Tabah; the revelation
Is complete"
Once more L was mounted upon the
white camel and the mysterious imam
rode beside me upon its fellow. which
was of less remarkable color.
'I hear your words" 1 replied.
"The poor Ahmed Abdulla," he CEN
| tinued, ''who was of little wisdom. knew,
as Hassan es-Sugra knew of the hid
den ring: for he was one OF those who
fed from the pyramid. refusing to en-
ter 1t again. Greed spoke to him. hcw-
ever. and be revealed the secret to a
certain Englishman. called Bishop. con-
tracing to aid him in recovering the
ring. -p- s4--
Something knew OF the peril" said
Abu Tabah but not, at first, all. The
Englishman warned, but he neglected
my warning. Already Ahmed Abdulla
was dead. having been despatched by
his employer to the pyramid; and the
people of Rikka had sent for me- Now,
by means known to you. I learned that
evil powers threatened your life also,
in what form knew not at that time
save that the sign Of Set had been re-
vealed to me in conjunction with your
DEATH
shuddered. s- --=
That the secret Of the pyramid was
! a Pharaohis ring I did not learn until
later; but now 1t is made manifest that
| the thing of power Is the death-rins
Of Sneferu. -"
The huge bulk of the Pyramid Of
Meydum Ioorned above us as he spoke
the words. for we were nearly come
to our destination and its proximity oc-
caSioned within me a physical chill. :
| A mile to the west Of the pyramid
we found Theo Bishops encampment.
thought it to be deserted-until I
entered the little tent -.
An oil-lamp stood upon a wooden
box; and its rays made yellow the face
Of the man stretched upon the camp
bed. My premonition was realized;
| Bishop must have entered the pyramid
| less than an hour ahead Of me: he IL
was who had stood upon the mound.
siihouetted against the sky. ghen had
! first approached the slope. He had met
with the fate Of Ahmed AbdulIa.
! He had been dead for at least two
hours, and by the token of ceetain
hideous glandular swellings, knew
that he had met his end by the bit OF
an Egyptian viper.
"Abu Tabairt"-I cried. my voice
hoarsely unnatural-"the recess In the
Kings Chamber is q viper,s Dest!''
-"You speak wisdom. Kernaby Palsila;
the viper is the servant OF the 0inn."
! Upon the third finger of his swollen
right hand Bishop wore the ring of
ghastIy history: and the mysterious
significance Of the Sign of Set became
1 apparent. For. added to the usual car
touche OF the Phoraoh, was thefsymboi
OF the god OF destruction. thus:
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-09-18

NEW YORK. R-pt is.--Most OF the
leading issu.s opened lower on the stock
exchange today. General Motors. how
ever. was up X. at 7ti, American Lo-
connective was up at iosH. and Afnert-
states ste.i was Off =. at ioiE. and
frueibie steel opened at 1857. with
Hethishsm steel rs" at %. Htude baker
opened at iieH. off =. Pan -Amsrioan
At iis. off IN. Marine preferred at
lITh. ofs Northern Pacific at seh
Oft y.
Advances OF from 20 points over
the opening among recent leaders marked
transactions during the first half hour
The foreign exchange market opened
firin. Demand sterling was Up Nc. at
ftit.
Further selling entered into the rnarts,
as result Of the statement Of the steel
Abor leaders that tho union work ~rs
would strike Monday. but at no tim. dur
Ing the first hour WAS there any real
weakness. United States Steel held above
100, This stock IL tho particular target
for the bear attack.
American Tobacco reached fNH. up
81.
After holding up we'll during tho morn
ing half % todAys session the stock mar
het shorty after ~ o'clock went into new
low ground for the day. United Bi,aeA
Steel. which naturally bore the brunt OF
the bear attack as a result OF threatened
strike OF tho man. was down close 20
100 after opening AZ 1919
naid~in Locomotive ssid below $50 and
the rest Of the list rscsded from 1 TO /.
points.
During the afternoon there were indi-
cations OF professional selling and United
States Steel was forced 10 i0tss. low for
the Gay. Baldwin Locomotive recedod
over points from early high and Cen
erai Motors was OFF a like amount
American locomotive. which sold down
TO iota. quickly rallied UP 90 near ie1.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-09-18
'29 REVOLT At
DEATH PENALTY
Refuse to Sit on Jury in
Murder Trial

After ~ venlremen had been
called. a jury TO hear the case OF
Pete Parovich. charged with stab
bling to death Pete Corack in a poker
game at 10 Dearborn St. July I.
was finally impaneled I'm Judge Ev-
erett Smiths courtroom Thursday.
Pete sutia. present Mt the time
corack was killed, was the first wit.
ness called by the state. He told
how Perkovloh had come 20 the
house on July and suggested n
game Of cards. In the midst Of the
game Perkovich went out. and upon
returning stabbed Corack. Sutia de-
clared. In the general fracas, Per
kovIch, Sutia and several others
were slashed and cut before the po-
lice arrived.
accepted, one was deaf. two were ex-
cused because OF ailing families. and
20 said they could not sentence "A
man to die even II he were found
guilty Of killing .fellow.man. A
special venire was called by County
Clerk Percy Thomas Wednesday
night. az the entire list OF jurors
available had been excused.
The Perkoyich case is the first 20
be tried under the new capital pun.
'ishment statute.
The trial of Frank Weaver, also
charged with murder I'm the first de
gree. II on the calendar for Thurs
day afternoon. As the crime charged
was committed before the new stat.
ute went into effect, there will be no
death penalty considered.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-09-18
SPUD MARKET
LOOMING HIGH
Brisk Demand Here for
Sweet Potatoes

The potato market L. beginning
20 cause concern to local produce
commission men. The market east
OF the mountains Is starting out
high at ti5 per ,ton and the fore
casts are that the commodity will
remain high all season. The pro.
duction this year IL said 10 be
slightly over 60 per cent that Of
last season and the potatoes are re.
ported to be running In smaller
sizes.
Alaska In buying good many
local potatoes. The local product ir
more mature than the new Melted
Gems.
The sweet potato market IN NOV.
Ing rapidly. There Ia brisk de
mand and the supplies are plentiful.
Quotations today are G 10 cents
per pound but are on tho down
ward grade.
Jobbers have practically cleaned
up their over.stocked peaches. One
house sold a whole carload 81 the
soft fruit at BTa cents per box
W ednesday.
The wool and sheep pei, markets
were reported very weak. There
Is practically no trading In these
lines.
Hay and grain quotations were
steady and unchanged.
Butter and egg quotations are un-
changed. Dealers were discussing
the possibilities of raising butter
prices agnin.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-09-18
Seattle to Give Salvation
Army $3.50, 900 in October

Seattle will give the Salvation
Army Home Service fund s250000
during the week. October 9th TO
18th. w. r. Keeper. chairman Of
the Eiks COMMITTEES In charge OF the
Opportunity Week campaign faid
Thursday. Campaign headquarters
were opened at 407 Collins building.
A meeting Of the E.Iks committee
will be held Friday evening when
team captains Will be appointed
The city viii be canvassed by It's
Industrial districts with rcpiss nta-
tive teams from each industry do.
ing the work Mr.. Keeper said.
A tag day viii be held and a
committee headed by Chief OF Police
Joel Warren will tag each automo-
bile on the city's streets. Each
motorist will be assessed 81.
A preliminary drive VIII be made
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-09-18
Portland Market Status

PORTLAND. asrs. ft.--c s-Rs-
cstpts. iee head market steady. Good
60 choice steers. is.te9io.:s: fair TO good
steers. f7.to9s.sb. common 10 fair s,ssra
fs9T; good TO choie. cows and hsifers
f0T.to medium 20 good. ts.soGT. can
nsrs. tseate. bulls. ssos, calves, $50
tit
Hows-p~ccipts. eo head. market ss
steady. Prime mixed. sI79iTto: me-
dunn mixsd. fiTaiT.7s. rough heavy.
~ 1850. PITS. tiste0iS. bulk OF sales.
;i71tgi7.bo
Hh-ep-Rscsip,.. SEQ head: markst Is
steady. Prime lambs ti.todit; fair 60
medium, tiiHi,. yeariingr. t7B00s
wsthers. sTas. ewes. tk0T.to.
Butter--st o esc per N.
ETRH-tsas.c per dos
Hens-ss . soc per ID. broiicrs. sbosce
PER H.
Gsene-isc per II.
Chssss-4rripIeis. sc q asc per ID
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-09-18
TO PLAT LAKE
SHORE AREAS
Land Commissioner Calls
for Hearings

because OF expected industrial ex.
pansion on the shores Of Seatte's
lakes. State Land Commissioner
Clark " Savidge will direct hear
ings in Seattle next week concern
ing the extension to the Lake shores
OF harbor area regulations. Savidge
is about 10 arrange tho plating OF
lake shore water areas. Notice OF
the hearings was received by tho
port commission Wednesday.
The commission directed Commits
sioner w. r. Christensen TO repro
sent the port at the public owner
ship conference at Chicago Novem-
Der Is. 1s and II. He will also at
tend the convention OF port authori-
ties In Galveston in November.
Auditor Matt III. Gorrniey filed a
report with the commissioners, do
clarfng that sufficient funds were
on hand 20 complete the new Smith
Cove Pier II.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-09-18
Opium Smokers
Raided by Police

Two raids on opium dens were
made Wednesday night by Seattle
police officers.
Charles Stacey. &c, negro, was ar.
rested and charged with smoking
opium, while George Minor. "a. col.
ored. was charged with being in n
place where opium was being
smoked The two men were arrest.
ed at 1861 Main ri. by Sergt. q. l..
Carleton and Officers G. II. Reynolds
and q. -. Graves
Wong Kee. AZ. Chinese. was arrest
cd at AIS Seventh ave. The officers
declare they caught him smoking
opium. Wong Sing. Wong FonR
Jang Nom and Charles Wong. all
Chinese. were booked as disordorly
persons. II Is said they were In the
room al the time Kee was arrested
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-09-18

put me hack in the auto again. l
heard them say they would hold me
for a 81 900 ransom"
The boy declared they took him
Into the woods and while they were
talking In their own tongue. he point.
ed in tho direction back 90 them and
yelled, Look lie said they turned
and he ran.
Il ran until I couldn't run any
farther and then fell" no con
tnued
Miss r.. Cook. ssss waico,t ave.
heard the boys cries for help and
went TO him.
The father declares he has inventi.
gated the story thoroiy and believes
his boy implicitly.
Il believe the police snsuld in.
vestlgate such cases fnvre carefully. :"
said Hyidahl. for II IL not wild
creation Of a boys brain. lie was
too nervous Afterwards. N he had
made tho STORY IN. he wouldn't have
been In such n nervous sratr"
The police were inclined TO doubt
the lads story.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-09-18

Four hundred dollars reward was
offered today by John +. Hyidahi.
s5fs Jones st. for the arrest and
conviction OF two Chinese. who, he
says. Kidnapped hts isyear.old son.
Erwin. last saturday Tho boy was
found crying In the woods near Rain
ier valley.
One Of the Cinnamon was n tall
man. while the other was very short.
the boy declared. and had two fingers
missing from his right hand.
The youth today reiterated his
story to the effect he was on tho
dock at the foot OF Marion IT when
an automobile carrying two men
drove by. one asked him II he
wanted 10 earn n nickie.
II told them I didn't" nsrvousiy
declared the boy. and then they
grabbed me and threw mo In tho
automobile. They covered my face
with handkerchief end threatened
10 shoot me n yelled.
After they had driven me out TO
Rainier ave. they Transferred me TO
street car and. little later. they
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-09-18
County Accepts
City's Prisoners

At the request OF Mayor Fltzger.
aid Thursday. Sheriff John Stringer
agreed to accept city prisoners at the
county farm, The Willows. and thus
eliminate the necessity OF building n
city stockade.
Sheriff Stringcr agreed TO feed
each city prisoner for 30 cents n
day. Overhead expense will be borne
equally by city and county. The first
city prisoners viii be moved TO the
county farm as soon as proper hous.
ing facilities have been installed.