The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1920-11-30
CHAPTER vi.
lCOntinusd)


a look and bowed low before the
Prince. Wa Shl, the wife, crouched
upon the floor and grunted.
San Wei offered his visitor a
chair. Me very glad to see you, oh
prince of princes. in my most miser-
able abode" he said, smiling.
Prince Nur al-Din gruffly AclSnowl-
edged the greeting. "Have Abu Sha-
NAH and Al Khnsib yet arrived TO
keep a meeting with me7" he de-
manded.
wa shI, the Chinese wife, looked
up. "Kung Ia sho XII kwang ga shl,"
she said, In Chinese, in an expression
less voice.
"what does she say?" asked the
Prince. The Chinaman shook his
head sadly.
my most wretched wife, she hear
all that happens before any one else,
she know everythings, she say Abu
Shamah and AL Khasib this night ar
rive in Paradise"
"In Paradise7" repeated the Prince,
IN great alarm.
"Po kung-tang XII sho," continued
the Chinese wife, solemnly,
MY most wretched, miserable wife"
explained San wei, "she say this
night both have head chop OF by
Sultan. My most dishonorable wife,
she singee song Of death"
There was a knock at the door.
San Wei opened It, and Abdullah, the
steward, rushed in trembling with
fright and threw himself at the
Princes feet. The Chinese wife con-
tinued to sit upon the floor. smoking.
How now, Abdullah? Thy news3"
cried the Prince.
"Oh, Prince of princes" ,moaned
Ill ty,a
tar's life hath failed. Thy servants
Shamah and Khasib were trapped.
| confessed their guilt, and even now
their headless bodies hang upon the
city walls"
"They died before their tongues
could wag." explained the steward.
What else?"
"Sharazad hath been banished from
| the kinEdom-her son murdered"
"Murdered-by whom?"
Allah alone knoweth," replied the
steward with a mocldng smile.
The Chinese wife spoke a few
words in her native tongue. Prince
MUIR al-Din turned Questioningly to-
ward the Chinese gambler.
my most wretched wife" said the
gambler, calmly, 'she say Abdullah
hath blood under finger nall. she
think you klllee boy"
'Didst thou2" The Prince turned
searching eye upon Abdullah. Inc
steward bowed. AT thy command.
Thy written word is here" He held
out q paper, which the Prince took,
glanced over, and then tore In
small bits, throwing the pieces VI,
the floor.
Hast thou any new plant" asked
the Prince.
Nay, | can think Of naught" re-
Piled the steward. Yet ere she left
the Palace, Sharazad questioned me
as to Iny whereabouts l told her
sac coulu find thee here, and she Is
coming Lither,'
"DoIn sue suspect me Of the muir
der OF her SOM"
Nay, 1 did it with the Sultan's
dagger, but though she suspects him
yet will she have proof before she
does accuse"
THAT proof, then. we must sup
ply" said the Prince. Another knock
upon the door made them pause. the
Ghinaman opened 1t and Sharazad
entered.
"Nur al-Din, thou art my brother"
she began. tensely. II come 10 thee
for aid. Thou last heard the happen
lngs of this night. My son is slain
hls mother banished."
Eyes, l have heard" replied the
Prince, coldly.
~ have come to thee to bargain
Thou dost seek the throne. Thou
hast failed by force, and also failed
by attempted murder. II l unfold a
plan to thee, wilt swear TO ind the
murderer Of my son?'
II l., "a
on high. IF through thy counsel
win me to the throne, swear by the
Koran to find the murderer, and give
him up to thee"
''phen hear me-" continued Shara
} Fad as she drew closer to he
brother, the evil Prince Nur al-Din
, in the house Of the Chinese gambler
10 morrow the Sultan takes to wife
} a milk-white maid, the daughter o
the man who sought his life at thI
! command. She Is his one delight, hi
l hfe, his being. steal thou this maiC
; and hold her captive in thy mountaiI
r fastness. The throne, her ransom"
"By Allah, my sister, thou has
: sense. But how2"
Thou hast thy wits, and thy ser
wants" replied Sharazad, pointing Il
l San Wei. This withered parchment
| mere 10 lhAA VI WAAhOAA@ pSSh AAAi
help"
Z The Chinaman gTinned. princes
very clever" he smiled. "She CIV,
= prince good advice, l thinkee."
3 80 fare thee well, my brother
SharaDad moved toward the door.
whittier goest thou"
D Back TO my native land. We trave
3 with the Mecca pilgrims as far Al
Y Karnak, and with singing and dane
ing will hl our empty purses"
' "Ah, the Mecca pilgrims!" repeated
Prince Muir al-Din. "Then ma!
- chance 10 see thee tomorrow night
|" They camp beside the Nile and hav,
heard there are many wealthy mer
< chants to make that journey. ant
my followers must i've
4 80 thou and thy hyenas will com,
z to raid and rob-" answered Sharazad
I scornfully. Then may see thee anC
learn how thou hast prospered
{ Allah's blessing on thy plotting" Sh,
Q swept from the room as Nur al-DiI
Q raised his hand in parting salute.
o The Chinese gambler spoke a few
! words to his wife in Chinese. Sh,
r rose. Prince Nur al-Din looked a
him inquiringly.
e 81 will send my most miserable
3 wretched, dishonoHble wife d
Wrestler's house." explained San we