The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-15

% HE orchestra has Just ceased
playing; and, taking advantage
OF the lull in the music. my com
panion leaned confidentially forward,
shooting suspicious glances, all around
him, although there was nothing about
the well-dressed after dinner throng
filling Shepheard's that night to have
aroused mIsgivinS IN the mind Of a
cinema anarchist.
Il have a very big thing In view. -
he said, speaking in a husky whisper.
II shall be one up on you, Kernaby, If
I pull 1t or"
Indeed" commented; and rang the
bell with the purpose in view Of order
Ing another cooling beverage.
True. might be the Egyptian repre-
sentative Of Birmingham commercial
enterprise, but I did not gladly suffer
the society Of this individual, whose
only claim to nay acquaintance lay In
the fact that he was in the employ Of
a rival house. My lack of interest pal
psbiy disappointed him; but I thought
little Of the mans qualities as q con-
notsseur and less of his company. His
name was Theo Bishop. ~
Perhaps unconsoiously 7 had allowed
my boredom to become rudely apparent;
for Bishop slightly turned his head
AoAGct anu
"Right-o. Kernaby." he said; 'T know
you think am an ass. so we will say
no more about it. Another cocktail?"
And now 1 became conscience
stricken: for mingled with the dis
appointment in Bishops tone and man
ner was another note. Vaguely 1t oc-
CURED to me that the man was yearn-
ing for sympathy Of some kind that
he was bursting to unbosorn himself.
and that the vanity of a successful
rival was by no means wholly resporl-
sible. 1 have since placed that am
biguous note and recognized It for q
note of tragedy. But at the time 1 was
deaf to its pleading.
We echatted for some while longer on
Indifferent topics. Bishop being, as
have indicated, a man difficult to Of
fend; when, having correspondence to
deal with. 1 retired TO my own room.
suppose 1 had been writing for about
an hour when a servant came to an
nounce a caller. Taking an ordinary
visitinS-card from the brass salver.
read: sr
ABu TAsAH.
No title preceded the name no ad-
dress followed. but became aware Of
something very like a nervous thrill as
4 NAu4 EN At LAlt A4e1AtlC u NY fASAIOIs cE-
sonality is one Of the profoundest mys-
ter.es Of our being. OF the person
whose card L held In my hand 1 knew
little, practically nothing. Therefore
cannot explain why. sitting there in
my room in Shephsard's Hotel. I knew
and recognized. at the name OF Abu
Tabah. the touch OF fear.
II will see him." I said; show him
UP here to my room"
A few moments later the man re-
turned. .~carrying the brass salver. upon
which lay sealed envelope. I took II
up in surprise. noting that it was one
belonging to the hotel and. ere. open
ing t.
where is my visItor7' said In
Arabic.
HE regrets that ne cannot stay
replied the man; but he sends you this
letter"
Greatly mystifed, dismissed the
servant and tore open the envelope
Inside, upon a sheet of hotel notepaper
I found this remarkable message:
Kernaby Pashe:
There are reasons why 1 cannot
stay to see you personally, but
would have you believe that this
warning is dictated by nothing but
friendship. Grave peril threatens. It
is associated with the hIeroglyphIc: