The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-20

As I raised my head above the ledge
OF the window and looked into the
room. I perceived the Lady Zuleyka
seated on the cushioned diacaR. her
hands resting upon an open roll OF
parchment which lay upon the table
beside massive brass chest of an
tique native workmanship. The lid Of
the chest was raised and the interior
seemed to be empty, but near it upon
the table 1 observed a number of gold
stoppered vessels OF Venetian glass,
each of which was a different color.
Beside a brazier wherein glowed n
charcoal fire. Abu Tabah stood; and
INTO the fire he cast alternately strips
OF paper bearing writing of some sort
and little dark brown pastilles which
he took from a sandalwood box set
upon a sort of tripod beside him. They
were composed of some kind of aro-
matte gum in which benzoin seemed
to predominant, and the fumes from
the braEier filed the room with a blue
mist
The NAM. in his soft, musical
voice. was reciting that chapter o;
| the Koran called The Angel" The
weird ceremony had begun In order
to achieve my purpose 1 perceived that
III should have to draw myself right
up to the narrow embrasure and rest
my weight entirely upon the ledge oil
| the window. There was little danger
in the maneuver, provided I made nc
noise; sor the hanging lamp, by reason
of its form, cast no Light into the up
per part of the room. AS achieved
the desired position 1 became pain
fully aware OF the pungency of the
perfume with which the apartment was
dIled.
Lying there upon the ledge in a
| most painful attitude, 1 wriggled for
ward inch b. inch further into the
room, until I was in a position to use
| my right arm more or less freely
The preliminary prayer concluded, the
measuring OF the perfumes had now
actually commenced. and I readily per
eeived that without recourse to the
parchment. from which the Lady
| hands. it would indeed be impossible tc
| discover the secret. For. consulting
the ancient prescription, she would
select ore OF the gold -stoppered bottles
unscrew il. direct that so many grains
should be taken from it. and never
/ removing her gaze from Moilammed
erFcahrnan whilst he measured out tbs
correct quantity. would restopper ths
vessel and so proceed.
"Gabrail Aiikaii, Israhl. Israil'
/ Cautiously raised to my eyes the
small but powerful ra-glasses Il
procure which 1 had gone TO my rooms
at Shepherds. Focusing them upor
the ancient scroll lying on the table
/ beneath me. I discovered, to my Joy
4 that I could read the lettering quit.
well. Whilst Abu Tabah BEGAN to re
! cite some kind Of Incarnation, IN tho
/ course Of which the names OF ths
/ Companions OF tha Prophet frequently
/ occurred. I commenced to read tht
writing OF Avicenna-
| In the name of God. the Com
passionate, the Merciful. the High. tn,
! Great -
So far had proceeded ard NJ
| further when became aware Of .
curious change in the form OF th'
| Arabic letters. They seemed to b
moving. to be cunningly changint
places one with another as IL to trio.
me out Of erasping their meaning,
| Lowering the glasses I stared dowr
/ in stupefaction at Abu Tsbah. He lIas
| Just cast fresh incense upon tn.
| flames, and 1t came home to me. viii
| a childish and unreasoning sense o
terror. that the Egyptia ns who Gale,