The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-04-22
Chapter 35
SUSPICIOUS ORDERS


 Bob?" asked Joe, as they mad; their way to shady corner of the courtyard that they had made their own.
 Don't much like it," replied Qthc Bellene, but suppose we've got to obey orders. Hint of treachery about it, isn't there?"
 War is war, my child observed Tant de Soif There has been 2 state of war between this country and France for years. It is notor- ious that this Kaid has raidet French territory, beseiged if not captured French posts, captured French conveys, cut off and ami Inflated relief columns"
 "Hm. AIS fair in love and war eh?"
 And suppose it doesn't come off?" observed Joe Mummery. "Ac- cording to Vittorelli, the Major has wangled us in here to seize the Citadel for France. But what price us, if they do the seizing-anc seize us for the Kaid?"
 "Us for the 'ooks," observed Sail or Harris tersely. Y
 Ar, that's right" agreed Will liam Bossum. "If the Kite lets us come ere, e knows enough to look after himself, don't he? Whats the odds against us in the castle alone? Not to mention that lot we marched through, comin' Tn Armies of 'em."
 T suppose the Majori wait un- til he gets endorsements" com mented Pere Poussin.
 q doubt it, my child" replied Tant de Soif. Hell seize the cas- tie, and then send for reinforce ments in case there's trouble in the city-as there will be-
 Why not get the endorsements first and make a sure job of it?' objected the old soldier.
 Because the Kaid wouldn't let them come, my good camel. He's not going 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 Mummery. Its a rum go."
 Well, duty's duty" said Tant de Soif decisively, and orders are or ders. If we can seize this robbers nest for France, they'll give the section le fougeron."
 Whats that?" asked William Bossum.
 "The collective decoration given to unit for valor," was the reply And every man of us will wear 9 shoulder cord plaited in two col ors. And you take it with you, too if you go to another 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 ceremonial ban quet, half Moorish, half European, was given in honor of the distin- guished visitor-the French officer understood to be the representa- tive 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 at- tend, the effect of the sour looks that she received from her mother in-law, Fl Isa Beth el Ain, from Zainub and the girl Sara should have been entirely enumerated by the definitely sweet ones of the guest of honor.
 Apart from the fact that his was the type that she did not ad- mire, Margaret found him interest," ing when he would cease from full some florid compliment, and talk on the matters, or rather matter that apparently obsessed him-the subject of himself and his career.
 As all roads lead to Rome, so all topics, however apparently un- promising and alien to the theme, led to the career of Major Ric- coli, past, present and future.
 When at length, the banquet fin iShed, the other ladies retired, Mar garet rose, and remarking that she was going for her evening stroll on the battlements, left the lamplit garden, soon to discover that she had been followed by Major Ric- coli.
 May walk with you, Mademoi- selle?" he asked as he overlook her. Such an oasis in the desert of my life. It is hard to be a sol- dier and to love beauty. To know the love of beauty and the beauty of love-
 Margaret, untruthfully stat ing that the pleasure would be entirely hers, led the. gallant and ardent officer to her favorite and private spot upon the battlements, and to the subject of France, Bordeaux and the remarkable son of that city, Monsieur Aureille de Tounens Who became King of Arauco.