Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-22


well. what do you know about
that?" asked William, addressing his
shoes. Not a sound out of him! Not
blink! Well, it's up to me to climb
out Of this and climb quick.
He'll" he cried as a stabbing pain
pierced his eyes.
The window was eight feet above
the floor. In a corner stood a smooth
ly worn plank of teakwood. which
had evidently been used as a chute
for boxes or bales from the outside.
perhaps cotton bales, as there were
tufts of cotton here and there about
the corners. From this point Of view
this was complete inventory. Will
liam hitched sideways; the other half
Of the cellar was as bare as his palm.
But in turning he made a discovery
which at the time suggested nothing
"a spike In the stone pillar, foot
above his head. The outlook was not
at all promising. His jailers would
probably keep him confined until
night. when they might safely liber-
ate him-that is. IL 1t was not ran
som. Well, they hadn't struck much
oil. and wouldn't. Four sovereigns
and a watch which had two values,
sentimental and intrinsic, one hun
dred minus ninety eight, IL you reck-
oned pawnbroker style; for two dol
lars marked the high water mark rate
OF exchange at Uncle Nose Cohen's
over on 9Th avenue.
Bang! 1t was the outer door again.
The boy returned with two Syrian
oranges. He squatted at williams
side, split the fruit, and solemnly
poked the scarlet slices into the yawn-
ing mouth eager to receive them.
When the oranges had vanished, the
boy tilted the water jar scientifically
and William was no longer thirsty.
But he lowered his head suggestive
ly. The boy understood the move
ment. for he sluiced Williams head
generously.
You're the real Samaritan, all right,
boy. And when you go to paradise I
hope they'u give you harem two
blocks long"
In return for this excellent wish
the boy. without the least sign OF
greediness. proceeded to rife Will
liam's pockets; and he was as thor
ough as a German chemist. The re-
suit Of this immoral procedure was a
penknife, the key to Williams steam
er trunk. two double piasters from
vest pocket which had been over
looked by the boys elders, four re-
ceipted hotel bills and a picture post
card. The boy tucked these ill-got-
ten gains under his fez and sprang
up.
This was too much for Williams
risibles. He chuckled.
I'm business for yourself, huh?
Well, you're welcome. Going? Take
care OF yourself. Anyhow. I guess
you've saved one Irishman's life"
Alone once more, he renewed his
efforts to loosen the rope. Again he
was forced to give up. After this he
fell asleep. The banging Of kettle
drums and the mournful wailing Of
reeds awoke him. The sounds passed
and dwindled. He heard the bleating
protest of a camel. The angle Of sun
shine appalled, him. 1t must be some
where around Ave o'clock in the
afternoon. He had slept the major
part of the day. The Ajax was al
ready on its way down to the Red
sea.
He sidled toward the water jar.
wondering IL he could get a drink
without wasting the precious fluid.
His tongue was hot with fever again.
Chance directed his gaze toward the
spike in the pillar, and this time an
idea was born. If he could manage
to get his wrists on the level with
that spike
1t was an arduous task. After half an
hour spent in wriggling and twisting
and balancing. he gained his feet.
Then he leaned toward the spike and
began carefully to work the knot
against 1t. An hour later he kicked
the rope off his feet.
He knew better than to rush to the
window Immediately. He needed life
In his tingling legs and arms. Yet.
he hadn't much time. The boy or his
elders might now return at any mo-
ment. He drank deeply. ate some
bread. took out his handkerchief
(Which the boy had ignored for lack
Of understanding), and bathed the
tut. Despite this refreshment, he felt
weak and dizzy.
He then proceeded to place the
chute against the window ledge,
crawlcd up with INFINITE labor. and