Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-01-03
Continued from Yesterdays Starr

Pansy's gaze stayed on Alice in a
puzzllng manner.
Alice looked much the same, as
plump and pretty as ever, but with
an even more pleased with -herself
expression than usual upon her round,
smiling face.
From her maid Pansy glanced to-
ward the entrance of the tent. The
Zap was fastened back, letting in a
flood of fresh, gold-ttnged morning
air Just outside. two dark faced,
white-robed men were stationed, and
beyond were others, and a glimpse
of trees.
Pansy's eyes stayed on the Arabs
guarding her quarters
In a vague way they were familiar.
With rush came back the hap
penings of the afternoon when she
had been having tea with Cameron in
the old guardroom.
Men such as those outside had burst
in upon them when the brave old
door had given way.
A wave of sickly fear swept over
the girl.
Was she a prisoner in the hands of
that wild horde?
But. if so, what was she doing in
the midst of all this splendor. this
riot of luxury, with the softest of
cushions to lie on. the choicest of
silk rugs to cover her, and Alice sit
ting contentedly at her side?
Perhaps Bob could give her the key
to the situation.
Alice" she said weakly, run and
tell Capt. Cameron l want to speak
to him"
He no be here. Miss Pansy" the
girl replied. He go to de Sultan
Casim Ammeh's city"
Alice pronounced the sultan's name
with gusto. The desert ruler. with
his barbaric splendor and troop of
wild horsemen, had impressed her
far more than the English governor
and his retinue She did not at all
mind being his prisoner. Moreover,
she was q. privileged person. told off
specially by the sultan to nurse her
mistress.
For some moments Pansy pondered
on what her maid had said.
THE Sultan Casim Ammeh," PanSy
repeated presently, with an air OF
bewilderment.
"A great big, fine man, awful good
looking. I see him. An my heart
go all soft. He so rich and proud
and grand. But he no look at me,
only at you. Miss Pansy," she fin
Pansy hardly heard this rhapsody
over her captor
His name was familiar. but half
forgotten, like the fairy tales of her
childhood.
Then she suddenly remembered who
and what he was.
The youthful sultan, who, long
years ago, had sworn to kill her
father and sell her as slave.
The man Alice mentioned must be
the boy grown up, 1t must have
been his hordes who had swept down
on her and Bob that afternoon.
But it was not of herself that Pansy
thought when the truth dawned on
her with vivid. sickening force. In
anxiety for her father she forgot the
IA T1rOn1iSed for herself
MY father. What has happened to
him." she asked in quick alarm.
de sultan he catch Sir George. too,
Alice answered coolly.
PanSy'S heart stood still.
as he still alive" she asked breath
lessly, horror clutching at her.
"Sir George he go also to the city
OF FL Ammeh, de sultan's city
A feeling of overwhelming relief
swept over Pansy on hearing her
father was still alive
For some minutes she lay brooding
on the horrible situation and how
she could best cope with il, all the
time feeling as if she were in some
Wild nightmare. Then she remem-
hered her own vast riches.
All these Arab chiefs knew the
value of money. She might be able
to ransom her father. herself. the
whole party.
Where is the sultan? Tell him I
want to see him" she said suddenly
in a weak, excited way.
He no be here. He go back to
El..Ammeh. You go. too. Miss Pansy,
an I go wild you. when DR.. Edouard
say you be fit to move
PanSy clutched at the name Of
Fdouard. After that of the Sultan
Casim Ammeh it had a welcome Euro
pcan sound.
where is DR.. Edouard? Can I
speak to him." she asked quickly.
She hardly noticed the pain with
In herself now. torn as she was with
anxiety for her father and friends.
Alice rose. ready to oblige.
ct go fetch him." she said.
Leaving the tent. she interviewed
on beyond Pansy's view.
She reappeared some few moments
later accompanied by a short, stoutish
man with a pointed. black beard,
Enthusiastically of French nationality.
who was dressed in a. neat white
drill suit and a sun helmet.
AnXiously PanSy watched him ap-
to think how he came to be there,
a. person as European as herself. in
this savage sultan's following.
DO tell me what has happened
the moment he halted at her bedside.
However, Edouard did not tell
Pansy much more than she had al
ready culled for herself. But she
learnt mat the "nOlc OF ner 1dJner s
party were prisoners in the hands
of this desert chief and were now
on their way back to his capital
But can't you do something's" she
asked in despair.
I'm virtually prisoner, like your
self" Edouard replied In a non-com-
initial tone.
He was not a prisoner, but he was
paid a good price for his services
and his silence: and he had no inten-
ton Of playing an excellent friend
and patron false.
But is there nothing I can do?''
Pansy asked, aghast at her own utter
helplessness
Edouard smiled, remembering the
Sultan's concern for the beautiful
captive girl.
Yes; there's one thing" he replied
in soothing tone. Don't worry
about the matter just at present.
But when you get to El-Ammeh use
all your personal influence with the
sultan. In the meantime you can
rest assured that no harm will hap
pen to Sir George and his staff. After
wards ] rather fancy everything de-
ponds on you
With this Pansy had to be content
CHAPTER TX
In Bathurst the deputy governor
awaited news of Sir. George Barclay
More than a month had passed since
he had left the town, and during
most of the time letters had come