Evening star., 1933-05-16

the Moor. First OF al, as 70 your
being what you pretend to be-"
Riccoli moved toward the Arab, whis
pered q few sentences and then leaned
back with q satisfied smirk as the Wis
itor gave prompt replies.
so far so good" observed the French
oficer. MY messenger evidently reached
your master. Now as to your being the
ear of the Kaid II your master, the
Kaid, and I, can come face to face and
talk, l can lay bare my mind to him
and speak with single tongue. can
promise him such things as he has not
dreamed of-Such power, such wealth,
such greatness, such munitions Of war
Words appeared to fail the speaker
as he contemplated the picture that he
drew
Promise" he continued, promise
and perform-and give him proof anti
guarantee OF my good faith"
"Ah! Proof and guarantee OF good
faith, Sid. What proof? And what
guarantee"
"Of that I will talk with the Kaid,
your master, as I said in my letter
and as I bade my messenger tell him"
Doubtless, Sidi You must meet the
Kaid, my master, face to face, and talk
with him. But also have to face him
and talk with him on my return. What
can say Of proofs and guarantees that
promises can, and will, be performed?"
Say that will bring him what most
he needs-men and munitions. Every
man worth . hundred as a fighting
man; worth a thousand as a trainer
of fighting men. Proof and guarantee?
Did not offer in my letter to put my
self completely in his power-to walk
into the lions den? What further
proof of good faith could your master
have or want? Is 1t not rather I, who
need proof and guarantee of the Kaid's
good faith?"
The Moor smiled with a fash Of
white teeth.
"You will not enter the lions den un-
armed. Sidi." he said.
And has the lion neither teeth nor
claws?" was the reply. Let us speak
plainly. I will visit the Kaid of Mekaz-
zen accompanied by a handful of men.
. mere escort, bodyguard. How many
men could the Kaid have in the citadel
Of Mekazzen? How many in the city?
How many encamped on the plains
about it? Is the Kaid afraid2 Who
would be in danger from treachery, the
Kaid or II"
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 each 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 COM
mand-men and munitions-foot. horse
and guns are at the Kaid's disposal
under my command. Then indeed may
he hope for victory over the Sultan.
Hope, do I say? Nay, be as certain of
victory as the faithful are certain Of
Paradise"
Again the Moor smiled.
And YOU can answer for your men.
Sidi? They will fight beneath that
banner?"
Are they not soldiers? Have they
any duty-or desirNbut to obey?"
asked Riccoli spreading eloquent hands,
with a shrug Of mobile shoulders.
Where I lead they will follow"
And your government, Sidi? VIII
they not also follow'?"
"Ah!" replied Riccol. "It is con-
cerning 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.
II will carry your words to the Katd,
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.."
And tomorrow BombeIli gives the
post something to gossip about.