Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-23
CONTINUED From Yesterdays starr
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII,
INTO MYSTERIOUS AFRICA.
SIRoCCo was blowing as Dag
~ gers steamer raised the skyline
IA of Algiers, and the scorching
4 j breath OF the wind appealed
to her as typifying the hot
heart of Africa.
Ashore she found herself in world
that might have been lifted bodily out
of the Thousand and One Nights. The
Old City, the native quarter, was
maze of lanes and alleys, linked by Q
few streets of ordinary width, thronged
with Arabs from the country In white
burnouses; town Arabs in gaudily en-
broidered vests and baggy breeches;
Frenchmen in European dress; mot
ley crowd.
undertook to explore the Old City,
grouped under the Kasbah. Her FIRST
objective, of course, was to ind Sid
Marut, Howard's Arab friend, but she
was not inclined to emphasize her quest
unduly, and several days had passed
before she casually inquired OF the man
whether he knew him.
He admitted this at once. revealing
some curiosity as to Dagger'S interest.
Every one knew the Sidi 1t seemed; ne
was great man, lord. sometimes
he was away for periods; 1t was saio
that he visited the remote GASES behino
the Tripolitan desert, where the Senussi
dwelt. unfolding their fiercely protest.
ant Mohammedanism against Christian
and fellow-religionist as well. When
he was In Algiers he was to be met IN
a certain swordsmith's shop IN an al
ley off the Rue Bab-el-Oued.
In her desire to avoid notice, Dagger
said no more of the Sidi But aIter y
week or two she arranged shopping
trip In the Old City and contrtved mat
tiers so that her guide must conduct her
to the shop of the sworusmitn WneIe
the Sidi made his headquarters. On 70
one side was forge, where man ano
q boy labored with anvil, hammer anu
bellows: in front there was O. sman
room. hung with swords Of every sort.
Behind this show room was another
space. somewhat larger, which was oc-
c,lpieti by several men, drinking conee.
One Of them was the shops proprietor,
a dignified Arab of the pure breed, VINO
came out to wait upon Dagger; the
others were Of the same stamp, as
tinctly above the mercantile class.
Their faces were long, aquiline; their
boards white and well trimmed. one
was treated with what seemed 70 Dag
ger to be subtle measure OF deference:
She bought several weapons and
asked to be permitted to see the work
of the smith in the side room. The
proprietor assented very courteously and
dagger watched for while the most
Fascinating process she had ever be-
held: the beating and tempering OF
crude metal into q thing OF beauty ana
nnerciless strength. She became so IN
terested that she forgot the coffee
drinkers and was startled when voice
spoke behind her in the English OF an
oxford man..
Madame?"
She turned to confront the man she
had fancied was accorded Difference.
"Quite WELL" she answered, smiling.
at Is unusual for q woman to be IN
In such work" the Arab con-
tinued, especially q woman OF the
West, for whom the sword has lost It's
"Oh, no." Dagger protested. 'The
sword can never lose Its romance. It
Is the symbol of war;"
The Arabs eyes flashed.
"Ho, well said!" He spoke swiftly IN
Arabic TO the proprietor, who likewise
stiffened. II am telling my friend what