The Washington times., 1919-01-19

go tonight"
How do you know this?"
Because Hassan Isar told me. Now. at
least, you have some facts. And you'll be
obliged to admit" he finished dryiy, that
you were quite at a loss an hour ago"
Northby Pasha scowled at the image Of
Ptah.
"At least Miss Masterson is SAFE" add
ed Alan quietly.
Northby Pasha brought his hand down
on the desk with a crash.
Miss Masterson, My God, Mr.. Jessup
what's a woman more or less beside the
success or failure of British arms? The
Kaba Stone has slipped through your
fingers"
And yours
You've bungled the thing"
I've at least done something"
"D-n it alp
Northby paused. Alan had risen and
the two men stood facing each other
Both had been disappointed, but Northby's
had been the greater responsibility. Sud-
denly the tension snapped and Northby
laughed and held out his hand.
This won't do. I'm sorry. was
hasty. thought you might have told me-
It's my Job. you know"
Alan took his hand willingly enough
: "H-m. I suppose / might have told
you. But then my quarrel with Won
Hengel came before yours"
"England's quarrel supersedes both
Alan> took a pace or two beside the
desk.
Yes, England's. You're right. I'm
sorry / didn't succeed But I did try,
you know. I'd set my heart on bringing
that Stone here to the Governorat tonight
I've failed. But think I'd like you to
know that I'm not through yet"
What do you mean?"
Instead of replying Alan asked a ques-
ton.
Colonel Northby," he asked, suddenly,
have you any notion how much gold is
in the Egyptian National Bank?"
Northby frowned and smiled at the same
time, while he tried to gauge Alan's mean
ing
"All gold has been withdrawn from cir
culation"
Exactly. And that makes it all the
more valuable to the native eye"
But what?"-
81 don't know whether you know IT ca
not, Colonel Northby. but I'm really qui
well off at home. In fact, according
Egyptian standards, you might say
pretty rich"
Northby inhaled his cigarette smoke
and examined Alan with a new interest.
The Americans discovery Of the secret
of the house of Hassan Isar was an
achievement of no mean order, but IL was
difficult for the police officer to reconcile
it with the placid demeanor and quiet |,
tones of his visitor And, indeed, in HIS
native garb and stained face, he was no{
more impressive than he had been on theV
occasion of his previous visit WHITTIER
was the man leading?
~Why do you ask about The gold in the
National Bank" he asked curiously.
Alan smiled at the statue of the inscrut-
able Ptah.
Because If it's possible to do so pro-
pose to buy it."
Your"
AT good premium. Of course"
Northby smiled, incredulously. The
gold reserve of the National Bank is
two million pounds sterling"
"Ah. good. That should be ample for
my purpose, I'd say"
And your purpose is-wha3?" asked
Northby, shortly.
ITO finance myself to find the Black
Stone"
Are you mad?"
81 don't think so. want to 60 on"
''In what way"
ITO buy all those who can help me- It's
quite simple. In the last hour I've been
thinking about it a great deal Dawson
put the idea in my head"
Who is Dawson?"
my man. He was here a while ago.
Excellent chap. I've had him five years.
He's most ingenious. II was Dawson, you
know, who got the facts out of Connolly"
"Ah, l see. And you and-er-your
man Dawson propose to buy the whole Of
LII