Evening star., 1933-06-22
CHAPTER XXxXVI.
Another Plot.


Jules, and slyly made a Sc
cret sign.
~ Swiftly Hassan departed,
and, a few moments later,
was seated in his nearby stone cell pc
fore small braZier wherein fre
perpetually smoldered and water was
ready for the making Of coffee or mint
tea at any time.
Having set the coffee to boil, Hassan
ell Miskeen now departed from his ac-
eustomed unchanging ritual.
Pulling stone from the wall. he put
his hand into the aperture thus dis
closed and brought forth tiny amulet
box
From this he shook a quantity OF
dirty white powder into the coffee pot.
And smacking his lips, HasSan el
Miskeen stirred the brew once more
and then hurried with laden tray to
his masters room. When Hassan el
Miskeen entered, he found his master
seated cross-legged upon divan, a
bottle of brandy and glass upon a
low table by his side.
= Seated opposite to him, lolling IN
comfort, smoking cigarette, RalSul
smiled enigmatically.
put the coffee beside the Sidi," or
dered Jules.
And having obeyed, Hassan el Mis-
keen departed from the room and sat
himself down within sight of the door
to watch and to wait.
Would that human devil actually die
there in the room? Might HasSan be
called to go quickly for help, and look
ing into the room might he actually see
him contorted and writhing in the
throes of death; with his own eyes
see him dying there in dreadful agony
even as he had caused so many others
to die in agony?
Smiling, almost chuckling. at his
thoughts. Raisul poured himself a cup
Of coffee.
Aren't you going to have a little
drink, Jules?" he asked, nodding to-
ward the brandy bottle.
Rather. I was only waiting until
YOU"
"Oh, don't wait for me. my dear
chap" and Raisul stirred his coffee.
Jules poured himself a generous
measure of brandy.
Allah" he said, that tastes
funny" and smacked his lips and
clicked his tongue doubtfully.
Brandy wrong, or your liver?" smiled
Raisul, still stirring the untasted coffee.
MY liver's all ri" observed Jules,
who suddenly seemed little drunk.
DO JllC dllOy, 4Cp44Co 4bo2ouA.
"Try it again"
Jules Maligni tried it again
"'Snasty," he said. Bin in boil too
long"
Raisul laughted.
Look here, aren't you going to drink
your-hic-coffee?
Raisul again laughed merrily.
mo, I don't think I'll drink any
coffee tonight, Jules, you half-baked
Borgia."
"Whassyou say?"
"I said, Come along to my room
now I'm going to show you some
thing. Something really good. I'll give
you my word. Come on with you
"Rope!" observed Raisul to Jules
Maligni as they sat in the formers
room a few minutes later.
Bear your weight, wouldn't 1t, Jules.
II it were round your neck"
IT should shay sho," laughed the
other less vacantly.
yes, very nice rope" continued
Raisul, land it gives me a very nice
idea. Strong enough and, think, long
enough"
For what?" asked Jules Maligni
"I'll show you, as I promised. Great
idea. Come along" and going to the
door Raisul bade Jules Maligni bring
the rope.
st say, you know, old chappie, you
don't think you're going to-hic-hang
me. do you9"
mo. I am not going to-hic-hang
you. Come along, will you?"
And followed obediently by his COM
panion with the rope, and soon by
Hassan Ell Miskeen, Raisul proceeded.
by devious ways, to distant part OF
the citadel.
This is the place" said Raisul at
length. AT least, I think it is I want
you to lean through that embrasure and
hang over and tell me what you can see
straight below. Be very careful and
don't lean out too far"
. Jules Maligni obeyed bis cousin, as
always.
Nothing there. Can't see any-hic
thing. Only rocks"
"Ah!" observed Raisul. "All clear,
eh? Right. Now stand up like man.
straight and steady, and look at the
horizon. What can you see?"
Nothing. Can't see any-hic-
thing"
We'll, you will in a moment" re-
piled Raisul, and, standing behind Ma
ligni, he swiftly bent over backward
and raised his foot as does the savate
fighter. with be drawn knee.
Suddenly, with tremendous force and
swiftness. the foot shot out, the sole
taking Maligni squarely between the
shoulder blades, and hurting him for
ward
His legs struck the edge of the low