Evening star., 1923-05-09

the side of the old wall. With
trembling steps he made his
way thither. To his great surprise,
she was nowhere to be seen.
AS he stood there. an appalling fear
seized him. causing him to lean for
ward. peering into the old wells
depth. He remembered, in that dread
moment of reading OF young girls
who. when danger threatened. or was
about to overtake the man beloved,
had sought death rather than face
the calamity overtaking him. know
Ing it meant parting with him.
No. no! His Jil-Bett was too brave
to do any thing like that.
He wondered If she had not gone
to the Mudges',, despite. the hour.
When the day breaks ] shall seek
for her there" he concluded.
Sitting down on the stone. once
more he gave himself up to the grief
that was consuming him.
He fancied there was no one TO
hear, no one to know. In this he
was mistaken--in the shadow, almost
rhrottled fIs laugh in his throat as
he beheId the old man rocking him
self to and fro in the throes OF
bitterest woe.
lie StOOO lneEe. TuTlliiatllk DIS "
whether or no he should make his
presence known to old Bannock. He
could hardly Withstand questioning
him as to how he became possessed
Of so rare a gem and SO much gold.
He realized he had returned in the
have easily defied him in regard to
claiming the girl for his bride.
Something very like the truth came
l.. In .r,sk l~ok
the two Of them were preparing to
leave Katar ere he should return.
He laughed at the thought he had
nipped that little plan in the bud.
and was wondering curiously what
would happen next.
At that moment Daniel Bannock
rose slowly from the stone and tot
tered feebly to the house. drawing
the door. to after him. He did not
notice he had left it atar.
the old man gave himself up again to
piteous lamentation over the bitter
sorrow that had overtaken him.
The door creaked. but he did not
hear. Ben-Ali had crept in as stealth
lily as a shadow. unseen by Bannock.
name by a whispered voice close be-
side him; turning quickly. he found
himself face to face with the Arab.
7 have something for YOU, Ban
light, crept in with It while Jil-Bett
sleeps. Ah. what Is wrong?" he
queried. as the old man sank down on
the nearest seat. trembling violently.
II need 1t now. as never before"
whispered Bannock. wiping off with
clammy perspiration that. stood out
in beads on his forehead. He quaffed
eagerly at a single draught the con-
tents of the glass Ben-Ali quickly
prepared for him.
You seem much agitated, old
friend: what's the matter? Did you
run out OF the dope? I never saw
You like this before"
Rannock sank down on the stool
by the bench quivering with excite
ment, which he tried to conceal.
Ben-Ali grasped his arm. whisper
ing shrilly in his ear: Something
has happened to put you in this
shape; out with it; 1 may be able
to help you-1m your best friend,
"No. no! No ono can help me-"
moaned the unhappy old man. 'I
cannot tell you the cause from which
I am suffering"
the eaa tools . sns at uens eas d. desk :ea
working? what at?" ae aueried.
not sleep" evasively.
am too clever to swallow that;
to work In the dead Of the night, il
what he is engaged upon Is not i'm
portant."
That is all shall say now: to-
morrow you and all Eatar shall
knew" he replied, striking his aged
hands together fierceiy
The effect of the potion which he
had SO lately taken was beginning
10 tell upon him. Why not tell the
Arab now? He was very shrewd,
q " IA
better plan of procedure than he
himself could.
After a pause, during which he
seemed debating eagerly with him
SER as to whether he should speak or
keenly.
You'll feel the better for making
clean breast Of 1t to some one" he
declared; I'm the only one you can
trust"
Daniel Bannock looked at him
earnestly. Oh. how much he lonxed
fo-needed-a word Of sympathy
from any source.
Yes. yes. I will tell you" he NUT
tered: forgetting his. prudence and
hts knowledge of the well-known
treachery of the Arabs Some work
was sent to me from far-ofr America
"a country that I never imagined
mad heard OF me. or knew of the fns
work have done in other years. It
with a very. very precious gem. l.
Twas to he paid. goodly sum ir,
&ofd for the work-it was a delicate e
piece of work, and took q Iliaster's
hand to accomplish It: payment was
Made--part Of ft-in advance.
Tonight I was to complete ft. The
gold and the gem were both here Iy-
Ing upon my bench. Suddenly both
disappeared: Looking from my door
q moment rbefore-opening 1t unex-
pectedly-I' behe1d~ the maf-Jack-
standing there. He is the thief"
That goes without saying IS assent
cd Ben-Alt' cumming. adding fuel to
the flame. Nov. the question is. Are
yoY going to allow him to get away
No. no. Een-AIi, when the day
breaks I shall cause his arrest. have
him thrown into prison. where he will
be forced to divuige where he has IT,.
lie does not know that I have missed
them yet. nor does he know that
suspect him."
The Arab laughed derisively Don't
you know that a thief who has made
q big haul Of that kind isn't likely
10 let the grass grow under his feet
in getting awayf He will not wait
for you to suspicion him and arouse
Katar. Man. he'll give you the slip