The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-22


ing In the gardens of a certain Cairo
hotei which 1 shall not name because
OF the matters that befell there.
Daphne is full of curiosity respecting
the romantic occupant"
Don't let Lady Coils be too sure, y
put In Chundermeyer, that there is
anything romantic about the occupant" /"
Your definition of romance, Chun-
dermeyer," 1 interrupted, would prob
ably be "a diamond the size Of a Spanish
onion"
Chundermeyer smiled, but 1t was a
smile in which his dark eyes, twinkIing
through the pebbles of horn-rimmed
spectacles, played no part
AS matter of fact" continued.
the occupant of the Harem Suite is
no less romantic a parsonage than the
daughter Of the Mudir (Governor) OF
the Fsyum"
Really" said Chundermeyer with
that sudden interest which mention of
a title always aroused in him. Surely
II IS most unusual for so highly placed
a Moslem lady to reside at an hoteI?"
Most unusual" replied. "Of course
such a thing would be inconceivabIe in
India; but the management of this es-
tablishment, who cater almost excIu-
sively TO tourists, find, I am told, that
q harem suite is quite a good adver-
tisement. The reason of the presence
of this lady in the hotel is a diplomatic
one She is visiting Cairo in order to
witness the procession of Ashura,
peculiarly sacred to Egyptian women,
and 1t appears that, having no blood
relations here, she could not accept
the hospitality of any one of the big
families without alternating the others"
BY Jove!" said Sir Bertram, IT must
tell Daphne this yarn. She'll be de-
lighted! Come along, Kernaby: if we're
to have tea at Mena House, it is high
time we were off," -.
of course, Daphne Coils was not
ready; and. Sir Bertram going up to
their apartments to induce her to hurry,
1 strolled out again into the gardens
for quiet cigarette and a cocktail. As
approached a suitable seat in a sort
Of charming little arbor festooned with
purple blossom, a man who had been
waiting there rose to greet me.
With certain quickening of the
pulse, 1 recognized Abu Tabah, ar
raysd, as was his custom, in black,
only relieved by a small snowy tur-
ban, which served to enhance the
ascetic beauty of his face and>the mys-
Il have been awaiting an opportunity
of speech with you. Kernahy Pasha,"
he said, in his hawless, musical Eng
hsh, upon a matter in which I hope
you will consent to aid me-"
I should welcome an opportunity Of
serving you, my friend" assured him,
since your services to me can never
be repaid"
There is to be a carnival and mas
ball here tomorrow. You shall
be PRESENT."
Il hope So" I replied in surprise.
ITO what does all this tend?"
Many of your friends and acquain-
tances possess valuable jewels?"
They do"
Then warn them-individually, in
order to occasion no general alarm
to guard these with the utmost care"
My surprise increased. You alarm
me-" said Are there rogues in our
midst?"
No" answered the imam, fixing his
melancholy gaze upon my face; 80
far as my knowledge bears me, there
is but one. yet that one is worse than
a host of others"
DO you mean that he is herein
the hoteI?"
- hhNW AlAo tAdCN WLSIGdDOuIS,
he replied, there would be no occasion
TO fear him. All that know is that
he is in Cairo; and since many richly
attired women of Europe and America
will be here tomorrow night, of a !
surety Omar Ali Khan will be here
also!"
Omar Ali Khan?''- began.
"Ah," continued Abu Tabah. "to you
that name conveys nothing, but to me
it signifies Omar of Ispahan, 1.-The |
Father OF Thieves. Do you remember" )"
fixing his strange eyes hypnottcally
upon me, "the theft Of the sacred
6ureo of Nefiseh?"
quite WELL" 1 replied hastily.
TT was Omar of Ispahan who stole
il from the shrine. 1t was Omar of
ispahan' who stole the blue diamond
OF the Rajah of Bagore from the
tPeasure-room at Jullapore, and Omar |
of Ispahan"-lowering his voice almost
TO whisper-"who stole the HolS
Carpet ere it reached Mecca!"
What" I cried. when did that |
happen? I never heard Of such an |
episode!"
BE cautious!" he whispered; "the |
flowers Of the garden, the palms in the |
grove. the very sands of the, desert /
nave ears. Inc SllSnUeSE WOTQ spoken l
in the hGre1s Of the Khedive, or breathed |
from a. minaret of the Citadel, is heard |
by Omar of Ispahani The holy cover !
ing for the Kaaba was restored. on pay
ment of a ruiffous ransom by the Sheriff /
Of Mecca, and none save the few ever /
knew of its loss"
For a time I was silent; words failed |
me; for the veil OF the Kaaba, miscalled !
the Carpet" is about the size of a !
bowling green; then
an what manner does this affair con- !
Germ you, Abu Tabah?" I asked.
"rn this way: the daughter of the
Afudlr el-Fayum is here, in order that I
she may be present on the Night of |
Ashura in the Musk. For a Moslem |
ady to stay in such n place as this /
here was a faint note of contempt in .
he speakers voice-'is without prece I