The Washington times., 1919-01-19
CHAPTER XIV (Continued)
The Room of the Screen.

- HE raised her hand abruptly at the
sound of his footsteps and sat up, her
face white with fear, staring at him.
Conrad Won Hengel walked past her and
peered eagerly out Of the meshrebiyeh
window and then turned inward toward
her. His lips were compressed and his
blue eyes sparkled with strange fire.
please get up, fraulein," he said quietly.
"and be very quiet"
He even put out hand to help her to
her feet, but her gaze in terror turned to
the weapon in his hand and, scarcely know
ing what she was doing, she obeyed him.
But her courage rose in one splendid effort.
You are a coward" she said, distinctly.
But while he heard her words their mean
ing seemed to have escaped him.
BE quiet" he said. taking her by the
arm. Come"
Coward" she repeated. Her meaning
seemed to pierce his abstraction, but ne
only smiled "Not you, fraulein-another,
in the mandara below
What could he mean? He led her 20 the
wooden grille, and then with sudden
movement put his left arm around her neck
and pressed the sleeve of his burnus tightly
over her lips, while he bent forward, whis-
pering quickly at her ear.
Make no outcry. 1t will be useless. l
want you 10 promise to go with me with
out resistance"
She managed to indicate her refusal in
last effort.
"You must, fraulein. You must agree to
90. I give you every opportunity for safety
for yourself and for him.
A new bewilderment while she stared at
him. And then. as a gleam of comprehen-
sion came into her eyes, he nodded.
Alan" he whispered, quickly, indicating
with his weapon. HE is there-beloW In
the mandara, disguised" And then, after
a significant pause, promise me that you
will 20 with me quietly. 1t will be enough.
I will believe you. We will go out at once
by a near door. Promise-quickly-a
will not shoot"
She lay back against his shoulder, white
staring, her lips trying to speak.
81 do not believe you." she managed.
Look. then" He supported her weight
tn the wooden screen and frightened the
cloth upon her lips. Look then," he
whispered.
And eager to prove this impossible
thing, she stared through the openings in
the wooden scroll A man in Bedawee
Costume sat talking with the Sheykh. She
heard his voice, and even while she looked
he raised his chin a little and she saw that
what Won Hengel had said was true. She
could not mistake him. 1t was Alan
The fear that she had had for her own
safety a moment ago was lost in the new
terror for Alan. He had come here to save
her-Alani
Won Hengel was whispering at her ear
again.
my answer-quickly. Consent to
marry me- 1t is all that is needed-a nod
of the head"
And as she paused to gain moment of
time she felt his arm close tightly around
her throat as he raised his automatic into
line with the largest of the openings.
You would not" she cried, chOkingly.
Consent"
He must nave read her refusal IN her
eyes, for with a frown he raised his
weapon again and aimed through the
opening. She made a frantic effort just
as the shots crashed out and, twisting,
struck at his right hand with her olsen
gagged hand, managing at the same time
a half.stifing cry-Alans name.
She caught just a glimpse of Won
HengePs face as he twisted suddenly to-
ward her, the weapon at her breast
Its expression was desperately calm
and his eyes in the brief glance that
passed between them were full of mean
ings.
At this moment of uncertainty other
shots sounded outside in the courtyard.
The muzzle of Won Hengel's automatic
paused at Constance's breast, then passed.
For instead of shooting Won Hengel turned
away.