Evening star., 1933-06-11
CHAPTER xxxv.
Suspicious Orders.


Nv they made their way to 9
shady corner Of the cour'
yard that they had made
kheir own.
Don't much like it." replied Otho
Belleme, but I suppose we've got to
obey orders. Hint Of treachery about
at, isn't there?"
War is war, my child" observed
liant de Soif. There has been state
of war between this country and France
for years It is notorious that this
Raid has raided French territory. be-
Sieged, If not captured, French posts,
captured French conveys, cut OF and
enninilated relief columns"
HIN. Ais fair In love and war,
eh?"
And suppose it doesn't come OFF,"
observed Joe Mummery. According to
Nittorelh, the major has wangled us
in here to seize the citadel for France.
But what price us, if they do the seiz-
ing-and seize us for the Kaid?"
"Us for the 'ocks," observed Sailor
Harris tersely.
"Ar, that's right" agreed William
Bossum ''If the Kite lets us come
'ere, e knows enough to look after
himself, don't he? What's the odds
against us in this castle alone? Not
to mention that lot we marched
- through, comm in. Armies Of EN-"
at suppose the major1l wait until
he gets reinforcements," commented
Pere Poussin.
II doubt it, my child" replied Tant
de Soft. Hell seize the castle, and
then send for the reinforcements in
there will be-
why not get the reinforcements
first and make a sure JOB OF lt?"
objected the old soldier.
Because the Kaid wouldn't let them
to let a French army march in here,
is he?"
NO" agreed Otho Hes not. And
the mystery to me is that he let us
come"
"Mystery's right" agreed Joe Num-
h1ery Its rum 60"
well, duty's duty" said Tant de
Soif decisively, land orders are orders.
If we can seize this robbers nest for
France. they'll give the section le
fougeron."
Bossum.
"The collective decoration given to
a init for valor," was the reply. And
every HAL 01 QS Will WCdl q SiAOu4OCA-
cord plated In two colors. And you
take It with you, too, If you go to an
other company Yes, We shall capture
the castle, cover ourselves with glory
and get the cord of honor"
Get cord of some sort. I've no
doubt" growled Sailor Harris.
That evening a ceremonial banquet,
half Moorish, half European, was given
in honor of the distinguished visitor
the French officer understood to be the
representative of his great country, and
the head of the military mission sent
by France to the Kaid.
At this feast of welcome. which
Margaret forced herself to attend, the
effect of the sour looks that she re-
ceived from her mother -in-law, El lisa
Beth el Ain. from Zainub and the girl
Sara, should have been entirely coun-
teracted by the definitely sweet ones Of
the guest Of honor.
Apart from the fact that his was a
type that she did not admire. Mar
garet found him interesting when he
would cease from fulsome forid COM
pliment, and talk on the matters, or
rather matter, that apparently obsessed
hinn-the subject OF himself and his
career
As all roads lead to Rome, so all
topics. however apparently unpromising
and alien to the theme, led to the
career of Maj. Riccon, past, present
and future
When at length, the banquet finished.
The other ladies retired, Margaret rose,
and remarking that she was going for
her evening stroll on the battlements,
left the lamplit garden, soon to dis
cover that she had been followed by
Maj Riccoli.
May I walk with you, mademoi-
selle?" he asked as he overlook her.
"Such an oasis in the desert Of my
life. 1t is hard to be q soldier and
to love beauty. To know the love Of
beauty and the beauty Of love"