The Washington times., 1919-03-09
Continued from Preceding PG0s)

"Here upon the sands, Effendi, If II
pleases you. Tell them to bring what was
promised"
Alan understood and gave the orders 70
Hoagland with a laugh. But the captain
showed a Mortified expression.
Three camel loads! My word, Mr.. Jes-
sup. The beastly things can carry ton.
Hardly" said the owner, thoughtfully;
but Daoud promised. We wouldn't De
here If it hadn't been for Abdullah."
Three tons of gold! Don't do it, sir.
They'll only begin fighting for it among
themselves
'I don't really need it, Hoagland. And
I brought it for this purpose you know"
Come now, sir" whispered the captain.
"our new guns command this beach. We
can sweep it as clean as the palm of your
hand. Just come aboard the launch, you
and Mr.. Daoud"-
'No," broke in Alan wearily. "No more
bloodshed. Bring three chests Of the gold
ashore-at once if you please, Hoagland."
He sank upon the sand while the launch
put out for the Turkana. He could see the
gun crews forward and aft, and he knew
that they only waited word from Hoagland
to create a diversion, during which the
owner could escape aboard. But Alan was
really very tired-physically and mentally
and wanted the incident ended. And, be-
sides, Abdullah Sadi had kept his word
he would keep his.
flTa nIao re
unIoaded from the launch. II was a great
night for the Benz Amur. They lighted
fires and camped upon the beach while Alb
dullah Sadi made a distribution of their
reward.
Alan went aboard and sought out Connie
and her injured men. But the worried ex-
preston on her face, which even excluded
the Joy that Alan's return had brought into
it, was dispeIled when the wireless opera
tor, who had been instructed to keep call
ing, reported the approach of H. NJ. S.
Rainbow, which would arrive before morn
ing. Alan helped her with her work as he
could. but Connie was exhausted, and when
the mate and one Of his men relieved her.
she turned in and slept.
With the exception of the mate and his
guns crews, who had taken no part in the
engagement, they were q very tired and
very happy ships company, and found
their hammocks, grease paint and all,
while the watch on deck sat along the rail
and kept a lookout on the men Of the Beni
Amur.
Sounds Of shots were heard among the
rocks and the guns were gotten ready for
action, but nothing happened and in the
morning, at dawn, the men Of the BENZ
Amur had gone.
With the morning came the Rainbow and
a navy doctor, when bones were set and
wounds treated, and within two days the
Turkana steamed northward. Nothing had
been heard from Yambu and Alan had little
curiosity. AS for the spiritual health Of
the piIgrims-they would have to find a
new fetish.
With the return to the old life of ease
and routine came a renewal Of Alan's resO-
luton to find his way quietly back to
Northby and seek some new mission in
which his yacht and his luck could be Of
some service. Failing that, he would re-
turn to England and offer his services
there-unless his own country should go
into the war.
The Rainbow brought news that it was
not believed the United States could long
remain neutral 1t was his cause now, and
IT had been the poor little Armenian waif
that had shown him why-for what had
happened in Armenia had also happened
in Belgium and in France. He understood.
He was sitting aft with Connie watching
the rocks that marked the entrance TO
Damgkoh Harbor slowly recede and be-
come merged into the purple dusk. Con-
ME was stretched out in a chaise Tongue,
her gaze following his. Alan was smoking
a pipe, but his face was set in sober lines.
His was not the figure of the successful
man, but she noticed that whatever his
feelings tonight, he no longer wore the
bored and weary air that had always
marked him. His pose indicated an atti-
tude of mind more of sOmbreness slightly
touched with melancholy.
He had spoken no word to her of his own
affairs, for they had both been very busy
since their return from the fateful Wadi.
But the time now seemed ripe for con-
fdences, If there were to be any, and from
time to time she glanced at him, unwilling
to break the silence of the exquisite tropi-
cal night, preferring for the moment to
take alone the joy that was here and soon