The Washington times., 1923-01-07

i am the Red Emir,' he said,
and Dick-you mean Marchurst,
suppose-is preparing to return
TO the liberty which you, have
bought him. =
Her keen instincts awoke at
that, dispensing her intense weari-
ness as a sudden chill wind dis
perses fog. The faint friendliness
that had been apparent in her
wonderful eyes until then died out
swiftly and she looked across at
him with q new and very different
regard.
Hitherto she had looked at him
as at any white man who possibly
might prove to be friend or even
friendly acquaintance of March
urst. But now that he had re-
vealed himself not as Dicks friend
but his captor, and had limited that
she herself was not to pay ransom
but TO be ransom, her scrutiny
changed. ss
It was sails of old Cairo, Sais
the dancer, Sais the cOurtesan,
VINO looked into the Red Emir's
eyes now calculating, appraising,
without friendship, without hatred.
She moved a little where she
sat resting on the divan.
This IS the rnanra- of the
ransom, Sais, said the Red Enir.
Il let Marchurst and his comrade
goI leave them alive to wait the
arrival Of the Camel Corps patrol
that is hunting Us down. But
keep you"
He waited, watching her closely.
Her eyes narrowed, though she
he IS safe, yes? And wen ~
she asked.
The Red Emir pointed across the
camp to the tent Of Marehurst
and Hoodless.
" Both, Sais Ny men desired to
lmpaIe them leave them for the.
Camel Corps people to find for
babe it,, !.
Let me see him speak with
him, " asked Sais.
No" said the Emir. There
Is no time: Prepare for long
Not ! shadow touched the lovely |
face. ),
'sWhither?'' asked Sais.
To my house. "A far journey
She nodded slowly, watching
him steadily.
You have your harem there 2.
she asked.
You shall be queen Of it and
companion To me, Sais. !"
How far?n
Ten days riding!"
Deep in the desert 70
s. SO deep that it is unknown by
my enemies"
Sais stood up, yawning, stretch
ing with q curious, graceful,
feline air of abandon.
You mean to take me there
! keep me there, Emir 2" she asked
lazily. am woman Of the
towns and cities. shall become
weary of the desert very soon;
weary and dangerOusg'
"You shall be entertained
II What is there to entertain
woman such as / am in the deep
desert, Emir? II love Dick March,
urst. | shall not 60. =
The Red Emir nodded gravely.
To refuse is to sentence the
man you love to death by impale-
ment," he said, TRANQUILITY.
Her eyes grew cold and brilliant.
But she faced him without
change of color, a quickening Of
the breath.
81 will go with you," she said,
and her heavy lids fickered.
He ran his eyes over her, boldly,
searchingly.
You like me SO much as to
commit this crime for me - you
have heard of me-Sais of Old
Cairo ?" she asked, showing her
teeth in a smile.
He nodded.
You are more. wonderful than
/ expected, Sais," he said.
More beautiful, yes?"
More beautiful"
"All dimmed by the dust of the
desert, swathed in these stained
riding clothes-you find me beauti-
full and shapely2 It is a good
ransom, this that you receive for
Dick Marchurst, eh?" She leaned
closer to him, dark, desirable,
alluring. He drew her closer yet.
"A good ransom "a high
price," he said dreamily; 81 am
content, Sais-content. Ahp-
her arm flashed out-"and l wear
chain mail, beautiful viper! See!
The blade is snapped"
He crushed her close, kissed her
ferociously, and threw her back
from him, laughing.
On the rug between them lay
the hit of a poignard-its slender
blade, scarcely thicker than a
knitting needle, snapped off by
the force of the snake-swift blow
which Sais had darted for his
heart.
II, too, have been a man of
3 . = z