The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-03-20

Riccoli moved toward the Arab
 whispered few sentences and
 then leaned back with a satisfied smirk as the visitor gave prompt replies.
 So far so good,' observed the French officer. My messenger evidently reached your master Now as to your being the ear oi the Kaid. If your master, ths Kaid, and I, can come face to face and talk, I can lay bare my hand to him and speak with single tongue. I can promise him such things as he has not dreamed ot such power, such wealth, such greatness, such munitions of wal and, and. :"
 Words appeared to fail the speak CT as he contemplated the picture that he drew.
 1 Promise" he continued, prom ise and perform-and give him proof and guarantee of my good faith"
 An! Proof and guarantee ot good faith, Sidi What proof? Ant what guarantee?"
 "Cf that I will talk with the Kaid, your master, as I said in my letter, and as I bade my messen- ger tell him"
 Doubtless, Sidi. You must meet the Kaid, my master, face to face, and talk with him. But I also have to face him and talk with him on my return. What can I say of proofs and guarantees that promises can, and will, be per- formed"
 Say that will bring him what most he needs-men and muni- tions. Every man worth a hundred as a fighting-man; worth a thous- and as a trainer of fighting-men Proof and guarantee? Did I not offer in my letter to put myself completely in his power-to walk into the lions den? What further proof of good faith could your master have or want Is it not rather I, who need proof and guar antee of the Raids good faith. The Moor smile with flash f white teeth.
 You will not enter the lions Iden unarmed, Sidi," he said.
 And has the lion neither teeth nor claws?" was the reply. Let us speak plainly. I will visit the Kaid Iof Mekazzen accompanied by handful of men, a mere escort, bodyguard. How many men could the Kaid have at the citadel of Mekazzen? How many in the city? How many encamped on the plains about it? Is the Kaid afraid? Who would be in danger from treachery, the Kaid or I?" E
 And when you have spoken with the Kaid, my master, with single mind and simple speech, pure, clear and limpid as the waters of the rivers of Paradise, and you and the Kaid, my master, understand leach the mind of the other, see eye to eye, and clasp hands of friendship-what then, Sidi?'
 Then I will bring more men, and yet more, until the whole of my command-men and munitions = foot, horse and guns are at the Kaid'S disposal under my command. Then indeed may he hope for vic- tory over the Sultan. Hope, do I say Nay, be as certain of victory as the Faithful are certain of Par adise."
 Again the Moor smiled.
 And you can answer for your men, Sidi? They will fight be- heath that banner?"
 Are they not soldiers? Have they any duty-or desire-but to obey?" asked Riccoli, spreading eloquent hands, with shrug of mobile shoulders. Where I lead they will follow"
 And your Government, Sidi? Will they not also 'follow'?"
 "Ah!" replied Riccoli, Tt is con- corning what will happen then, that I must talk with the Kaid. your master. Not another word will I say now, not one"
 The Moor rose to his feet.
 T will carry your words to the Kaid. Sidi,' he said, touching his heart and head as he bowed. Meanwhile, speak not of me and my visit to any other messenger. for no man knoweth the mind of the Kaid. His will is, that his right hand shall not know what his left hand doeth; and his spies spy upon all his spies"
 Copyright, 1892, F. A. Stokes Co.)
 And tomorrow RGmheIIi gives