, 1923-04-03

son the failure. so far, OF their plot.
Hvarson declares he values Lou-Lou
more than the treasure OF sibuko.
Her subjects already had acclaimed
T.ou.T.ou Sultana md shortly before
The hour set for the meeting OF the
first council over which she was to
preside Rnis Hamed ben Yusuf. clad
In vivid scarlet robes. came swagger-
ing 10. the palace and demanded
speech with Lou.Lou She, however.
sent back word that she would re-
ceivo Rails Hamed with the council.
and not before. At this rebun the
old pirate merely smiled.
There was no particular formal
ity about the meeting. The coun-
cllors helped themselves to chairs
about the throne. zahri appeared.
looking exceedingly sulky and ner-
vous; then Luke Quail and Fortcs.
que Joined the group.
All rose as Lou-Lou entered, gilt
tering in scarlet and sold robes. with
two OF her women bearing peacock
fans behind her. AS she entered the
doorway. she said: "Bism.lahr'
"Ahlan w~'salan. arose the muir
u bAooIhhS' WoIIHy anu era
.ciousr'
Lou-Lou then came forward to the
throne and mounted 1t. Since all
present uderstood English, she ad-
dressed the council with a stagSer-
ing directness. emitting all Arabic
~invocations and polite nothings.
II Esve Just come from America.
where I met Hvarson and yonder fat
fool Zahri." she said without prelim-
mary. There these two tried to
confine me in n house OF madmen,
and in fact succeeded They then
started home again. meaning to tell
you that I had become mad. and tina
the throne belonged to Zahri. Is not
this true, fat ~peacock7''
Before her scornful and unex-
pected assault. zahri nodded sullen-
ly.
by the help of Barak. and Of
Tuan Fortesque." she continued. 1T
got free and came home again.
Hvarson has not returned, luckily
for himself. When he does returne,
It is my order that he be shin: he
is outlawed. and the man who Sc
cures his head shall be rewarded.
His house and goods here are con-
fiscated to me-"
This summary Justice had a d.
versity of effect upon the auditors.
The councillors broke into a gut
tural Al hamdu l'allah!"-a pious
utterance OF Thanksgiving and de-
light, for they saw hat n firm hand
had come to the throne.
Zahri turned pale. and watched
his eiataF In frf0htaraA r,~aa-
Rails Hamed watched her also. but
"As for you. Zahrs. she pursued,
a little color rising in her cheeks.
get you gone from the council, and
stay gone. You are the son of my
father; therefore I pardon you"
Praise be to Cod" said zahrl.
He rose precipitately and went from
the room in obvious relief.
The gaze of Lou-Lou swept to Rails
Hamed. who returned the look. For
a moment their eyes clashed in sill
ence, untn at last the sultana
spoke:
You. Hamsd ben Yusuf. who are
the partner and friend of Hvarson,
knew about his plan to. leave me in
America"
"Aslahek allah!' exclaimed Rails
Hamed quickly. May sod set you
right knew nothing OF 1t. nothing
at allF'
"A iie." said the girl calmly.
What know you OF the death OF
Tuan Frangis?"
Nothing. I vas not even here a:
the time"
Some say that you were" re.
Joined the girl. IT am inclined to
have you hanged at once"
Now there was GREATNESS silence
indeed. for her eyes were very
stormy. At last Rails Hamed re-
piled.
II deny ALL" ne said. his musical
voice suddenly become harsh. "Is
this Justice. to doom without proof?
Is 1t the law of the Prophet, 10 kill
without e%vidence?"
1T is not tho Prophet who gives
Justice here. said Lou-Lou. TT is
II But let that pass: without proof,
I shall not hang you. This is my
order; You are banished from ST.
buko. and II you reappear here you
shall be hanged. Your house here
is confiscated."
Tho black eyes OF Rails Hamed
glittered venomously. but he an.
swered in cool tones: