Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-11-16
BY SAX ROHMER

Sherlock Holmes.
For Abu Tabah I looked In vain.
Following our conversation ON the
previous afternoon, he had vanished
like a Pigment of a dream. several
times saw Chundermeyer, who had
elected to disguise himself as AL
Al-Mokanna, the yelled prophet OF
Khorassan. He seemed to be an en-
thusiastic dancer and there was no
lack Of partners.
One corner of the gardens, In par
ticular, seemed to be quite deserted,
and it was the most picturesque spot
Of all. For here graceful palm up
stood before an outjutting mushra-
biyeh window. dimly lighted, over
which trailed a wealth of bougain-
villa blossom, whilst beneath 1t lay a
floral carpet, sharply bisected by the
shadow Of the palm trunk. 1t was
like some gorgeous illustration to
poem by Hafz only lacking the figure
at the window.
And as I stood, enchanted. before
the picture, the central panels Of the
window were thrown open, and, as II
conjured up by my Imagination, a
woman appeared, looking out into the
gardens-an oriental woman, robed
in shimmering. moon kissed white,
and wearing a white yashmak. Her
arms and fingers were laden with
glittering Jewels.
I almost held my breath. drawing
back into the sheltering shadow, for I
had not hitherto suspected myself OF
being a sorcerer. For perhaps a min
ute, or less, she. stood looking out,
then the window closed. and the white
phantom disappeared. recovered
myself, recognizing that I stood be-
fore the isolated wing of the hotel
known as the Harem suite, and that
Fate had granted me a glimpse of the
daughter Of the Mudir of the Fayum.
Recollecting, in the nick of time, an
engagement to dance with Lady Coils.
I hurried back to the ballroom. On
Chundermeyer. I could see his spec
tacles glittering through the veil Of
his ridiculous costume. and even be-
fore he spoke I detected about him
an aura OF tragedy.
Mr.. Kernaby," he gasped. "for
heavens sake help me to find In
spector Carlisle! l have been robbed!
My diamonds!'
Daphne Coils, who had seen me en-
ter, Joined us at this moment. and.
overhearing the latter part Of Chun-
dermeyer's speech:
ooh. whatever Is the matter?" she
whispered.
AS for Chunderm eyer the effect upon
him of her sudden appearance was
positively magical. He stared through
his veil as though her charming figure
had been that Of some hideous phan-
tom. Then slowly. as II he dreaded
to md her intangible. he extended
one hand and touched her rope Of
pearls.
"Ah. heavens" he gasped. II am
really going mad. or il there q
magician amongst us?"
Daphne Coils blue eyes opened
very widely. and the color slowly faded
from her cheeks.
"Mr. Chundermeyer." she began,
But"
Let us go into this little recess,
where there is good light" mumbled
Chundermeyer shakily, land I will
make sure"
The three Of US entered the palm
screened alcove, Chundermeyer lead
ing. He stood Immediately under
lamp suspended by brass chains from
the roof.
Permit me to examine your pearls
for one moment" he said.
Her hands trembling, Daphne Coils
took off the costly ornament and
placed it in the hands Of the greatly
perturbed expert. Chundermeyer ran
the pearls through his fingers, then
lifted the largest of the set toward
the light and scrutinized 1t closely.
Suddenly he dropped his arms and
extended the necklace upon one open
palm.
Look for yourself" he said, slow
L.. 1T does not require the eyes or
an expert"
Daphne Coils snatched the pearls
and stared at them daz,u.y. Her
pretty face was now quite colorless.
This is not my rope OF pearls" she
said, in a monotonous voice; 1T 10 .
very poor imitation
Look at this" groaned Chunder-
meyer, "as you talk of poor imita-