The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Latin ms ng Die rith 'ead 'iety all .ds to 1n X”'"d an artistic finish any enterprise that savored of guile. As soon as the two quitted the hotel, Royson saw that he was traversing by-paths seldom visi- twd by Europeans. He passed through evil-smelling alleys so shut in by lofty houses that the sun hardly ever pv‘llt‘tratEd their depths. He caught glimpses of dim interiors when forced aside by a panier-laden mule or lum- ln-f‘ing camel, and the knowledge was mum upon him in many ways that his presence in this minor artery of thr- bazaar was resented by its inhabi- Innis. Massowah Assert: Itself. Rut-mu knew not one word of Ara- bic. His Italian was of a rudimen. my type, hascd on some acquaintance with Latin, eked out by a few phases glr‘allt‘tl from books of travel. The polite hotel manager’s French was only a shade more fluent. Consequent- ly, th» latter told Mulai Hamed, dep- my assistant hall-porter, that the llffvnvli‘wished to be conducted to (mi-rmucnt House with the utmost srrr-w-y, thus twisting Dick’s simple rv-quvst that the guide should avoid the. main streets into a mysterious <1wumnd. which an Eastern mind could nut fail to embroider with intrigue. l'ur Mulai Hamed was a negroid Amh, whose ruffianly aspect was rathâ€" wr r‘llhanced by the swaggering way h»- carried a broad shoulder-belt and Mass badge of office. He interpreted his orders literally, being eager to dis- play a certain skill in conducting to AL -1. The few females he met were swath- ml from head to foot in cotton gar- nmm that had once been white. Dark eyes glanced curiously at him Wr-r the yashmak, or veil, which cov- wred nose, cheeks, and mouth from the gaze of strangers. Orange-tinted nails and fingertips, visible occasion- ally when the loose fold of a robe was mutt-ml from the contamination of touching him, suggested the talons of a bird of prey rather than the slender Well~shaped hands for which the Arab woman is noteworthy. Every man, almost without exception, scowled at him. Naked children, playing it the gutter. ran off, half frightened, yet stopped to shriek words which he was quite: sure were not kindly greetings. Prowiing dogs, the scavengers of the native quarter, shared the general hos- tility, and. scurried out of his path. but sullenly, and with bated teeth. Through occasional sunlit vistas he Preped into main streets in which loitemi numbers of Italian soldiers and civilians. Even a few carriages~ appearrd, conveying ladies to the §h0ps or public gardens, now that the intense heat of the sun had subsided. Therefore he found it scarcely cred- Iblc that in the fetid slums there should be such covert hatred 0f the White race which held undisputed Way ix. thoroughfares distant not a stone’s throw. And, in puzzling con- trast to me evidences of the eye and far, he was conscious of an uncanny $1136: of familiarity with his surround- }nss. Before the Aphrodite brought here. ~ ‘ everything. . . . Tell the Baron to go 0;) board the yacht, no matter what in, Fenshawe says. Do you under- :zand‘: It is a. matter of life and beam. Slip out into a back street, so that AlIic‘I‘i may not see you. . . . I “.111 watch from here. Go, for Heav- en’s sake. Let nothing delay you.” She was incapable of further explan- alion. hick feared she would faint if hr wane-d another second. Hence, when Irene turned to say that Mr. Fenshawe and the Baron ap- Mmi m be paying a prolonged visit to the Governor, she found that Mr. Huxtun was sitting alone, with her veilml iam- propped in her hands. while, so malicious was fate’s decree once more to Royson, that he was hash-ning through malodorous lanes and crowded slums in order to save hmm-ned peril the very man .wmrmli offered the only visi- Hr “mans by which he could bend his mu; frail iurtunes in that direction that inwkl‘rl best to him. frum Y him south by east he had never been l‘fearrr Egypt than Paris. Yet The Sights, the sounds, the nauseatms smell of this dank bazaar. appealeq to him with the breathless realism m the jingle of hansoms, the my crunch of omnibuses, the yelling of “e“ Sboys and the tar-laden scent of the wood-paced road might convey when next he entered the Strand- _ This entirely novel and\disqniet!n,8 °°nceit recalled his strange obseSSIOn When first he looked out. over the 43' sen. at. night from the bows 0‘ the Edit, and the memory brought Vlfih 1‘ the legend of his houseâ€"that the R°Y30ns were descendants of Coca:- fiefion. He saw now that whichhe t is not farâ€"on the sea. ’3 house: :3; point. . The hotel peOple Kerber and Alfieri must not meet if; n- they do meet, we shall lose “ :thjng . Tell the Baron to ever} , 1 AL- «nnko nn mntfpr what had never realized from the 310m "898 of written romance. ,W the (blunders must have mixed with peo- ple nearly identical in manner ““1 CHAPTER VIII. FEBRUARY Isth. medieval campaigns in an arid and poverty-stricken land, feudal pomp and regal glitter would yield per‘orce to the demands of existence, Richard of England and Philip of France, with many another noble warrior of high repute, had doubtless been glad en- ough, times without number, to seek the shelter and' meager fare of just such a jumble of darkened tenements as that through which his guide was leadinghim. LUL Auuuuv n “- .. was it altogether probable that blood- shed would be the outcome. The aff- ray at Marseilles had given the Italian an excellent opportunity for settling old scores in that fashion if he were. so minded. At any rate, the position was rife with dramatic possibilities. and each that presented itself to Dick’s judgment seemed to favor his own projects, which now demanded a speedy return to England. Yet he hoped to arrange his departure in such wise that Irene Fenshawe might not have it in her heart that he had deserted her. Dick did not admit even to himself, that he had any well-defined motive, other than the fulfilment of a promise, for wishing to stand well in the girl’s esteem. ‘ “I may be a potential baronet,” he communed, “butJ. am not such a fool as to fall in love with the heiress of a man like Fenshawe. A baronet, indeed! Hardly a month ago I was tramping the streets of London look- ing for work. One does not. under nu-.. mnflitin‘nQ- include in the list Influ- It was surprising how bitter very sensible reflection could be disturbed his placid temper. H1 like railing at fate for ill-usage. tunately, Mnlai Hamed had no i 15---.1: A, But why should he, Richard Roy- son, acknowledge an occult acquaint- ance with this unknown scene? And what was the fascination which the squalid life of the bazaar had exer- cised occasionally on men of exalted rank at different periods of the world’s history . The mere notion that he might" ‘ccumb to itâ€"that he should even ieel its glamour by the operation of some subtle trait of heredityâ€"was so grotesque that he laughed aloud. He happened to be crossing a tiny square at the moment, and a bearded moullah was entering a mosque which filled one whole side of it. The un- believer’s mirth doubtless disturbed a pious meditation, and the moullah turned and muttered something. The words might be a verse of the Koran, but they had the ring of a ‘maledic- tion. Mulai Hamed “was abashed and angry. He spoke apologetically to the holy man, alluded to the “giaour” more than once, and proceeded to give Dick a voluble lecture, enlighten- ing him, most probably, as to the ex- ceeding importance of. politeness'] where a Mahomedan priest was con- cemed. vuvvv ties. He dismissed the day-dream, and bent his wits to consideration of the queer message which Mrs. Haz- ton had asked him to deliver. Would the Austrian obey her, he wondered? A man’s point of view and a woman’s differ materially when the graver cris- es of life have to be faced. If it were merely a question of physlcal courage, Dick imagined that the Baron would refuse to play the coward’s ~part by skulking on board the yacht. In that event. von Kerber and Alfieri could hardly fail to meet withixythe hour. for Massowah was a small place. Nor Royson was unable to explain that his hilarity was not intended as a slight on the follower of the Prophet. Yet dignity demanded he should not remain dumb, so he pointed ahead, and vociferated, with a fairly accurate assumption of his skipper’s voice and “Lead on, you swab, and keep sil- ent, or I’ll alter the shape of your face.” vv- It sufficed, nor was be wholly, mis- taken in his rough-and-ready philoso- phy for it is thus that the West domo inates the East. The incident had the effect of arousing Royaon to actuali- W the comparitively cool interval Indore \ 2 sunset, and, on the Mafia of the be. It He felt e. For- mm plain, a square {on pointed its guns at town and“ harbor. Malai flamed hastened towards the nearest gate, He did not enter, but his gestures showed that the Gover- nor’s residence stood inside the forti- fications. Royson went on alone, and was stapped by a sentry, who called a corporal; the latter -eondncted him to a lieutenant, and theneeforth Dick’s progress was simplified, because the. oficer not only spoke English but was ready to display his erudition, though not exactly in the manner desired by his questioner. obv1< w-_'__ puffy eyelids suggested that negotia- tions with King Menelek did not con- stitute the highest form of diplomatic happiness, was pleased to be explicit when Dick was introduced to him. and he found that the Englishman spoke, French. “After consultation with the Gov- ermnent advocate.” he said. “I have decided to release Mr. Fenshawe. whose arrest was due to his persistent defense at the Baron Frans von Ker- ber's undertaking. The latter must remain in custody, and I warn you. and intend to give the same warning to all persons on board your vessel. that. a 311th is patroling the coast with the most positive instructions to sink the Aphrodite if any attempt he made to land on Italian territory. else where than at a recognised port}? When Royson said he wanted to communicate with two gentlemen who had called on the Governor some two‘ hours earlier, the Italian smiled dark habitofplainspeakMVhichisan essential put of :11 dedingawith Abyssiniana. Royson did not mint toanswerhim. Heukedilllr.l'en- phawe wou_1d be set at. liberty m. withandwumnredtuuheaov- “Who is she?” “One of the ladies of our party.” “Ahi, crudo Amor! You have ladies on board, then?” “Yes, Mr. Fenshawe’s granddaughâ€" ter, andâ€"a friend of hers.’ Something in the Italian's manner warned RoysOn that he was treading on unsafe ground. It occurred to him that if Mrs. Haxton had good reason for her display of fear at the sight of Alfieri it was advisable not to spread the tidings of her presence in Masse- wah by revealing it to an inquisitive official. And the warning given in one of his letters' in his pocket sud- denly assumed a sinister significance. He strove against any outward ex- hibition of concern, and the lieutenant was manifestly anxious to help him. “I am sorry,” was the unsatisfying statement. “I can do nothing with- out _his Excellency’s instructions, and he has gone out for a drive.” “Gone out for a drive!” repeated Royson, quite taken aback by this rather bewildering explanation. “Am I to understand that my friends are kept hereâ€"" - - a h -AL2_- 1...; “0’10 u“ at “You are to understand nothing but what I have told you. and you will remember that I have. contented my- self with advising you to return to your yacht.” __ . .u . ,A_ _--.'l .m.‘ sponsi “They landed from the English yacht out there?” he asked, with a hand-flourish that indicated the Red Sea generally and the Aphrodite in The lieutenant spread both hands depreciatingly. ~ “What is one to say?” he shrugged. arching his eyebrows and pursing his lips. “I repeat, I have no orders.” “But you have seen them?” “Oh, yes. They are here.” “Then will you oblige me by send- ing in my name to Baron von Kerber, and sayingâ€"” “It is impossible, Go to your ship. speak as a friend.” “I am sure you wish to help meff persisted Dick, “but. I am carrying a message of some importanceâ€"” “Ah. from whom?” “Yes,” said Dick again. “Well. I have no orders. I advise you to go on board, and await his Excellency’s decision.” “It will be most gratifying to learn his Excellency’s decision,” said Roy- son, “but just at this moment I must ascertain the whereabouts of Mr. Fenâ€" shawe and Baron von Kerber." “Certainly. He “From a “\th {a ".353 you are one of the ship’s ofli- \ “No.3ir. Ithinknot. Indeodlun ,nlmostpoaitiveshehuheudnothins It wan singulumeeting between thetwo. Thonghtheyncht-ownerm white with unger he was mauled-l! pleasedntflndingnoyaonihere. Dick had his own views as to the extent of the Aphrodite’s amment, but the present was no time to air them. Moreover, he was beginning to see features of the affair thnt were hard to reconcile with Mr. Fennhawe’s statements. In the first instance, the Governor had noted on specific in. structions, and the Roman authoritiee must have been well aware of the "‘Ah'.” he said. extending his hand. “Imgladtooeeyon. Doe-Kin Fenshnwe know of this outage?” (‘Then why no you here?” “Mrs. Hutonsentmewithumea- use to Baton von Ker .” ‘flirs. Eaton probably gunned what would happen. Some qoqnndrel "They will turn an Italian Gover- nor out of his position before I have done with them," was the determined answer. "Come, Mr. Royson, let us leave this man-trap. I came here in good faith, and I quit this place with the resolution that never again shall ingIrene’s pendbthereocotled‘to theinnercourtyurdby afloat»!- named Alfleri. who has tried more than once to steal my poor friend’n secret, has gained the ear of the Itali- an foreign minister. Trumpedqip e1 legations have led to cabled orders for van Kerber’e arrest, and these wretch- ed organ-grinders in - uniform would have lodged every one of us in prison if they dared. Unhappily. the Baron cable from Massowah. By Jove, I have been a supporter of peace all my life. Mr. Royson, but it is a lucky thing for this thieves' den that I have not an armed ship now at my-disposal or I would blow their fort out of its foundations.” The older man little knew how this outburst affected Royson. The refer- ence to Alfieri was absolutely stagger- ing. No up-to-date battleship could have demolished the Massowah fort- ress so effectually as Mr. Fenshawe's outspoken wrath crumbled the edifice of doubt built by circumstances in Royson's mind. “Things have taken an extraordin- ary turn, sir,” said he, feeling it in- cumbent on him to say something. entrust myself to the vagaries of any Jack-on-oflice who thinks he can browbeat a man of my repute like one of the wretched natives whom he mis- Royson had some difficulty in per- suading his irate employer to enter the Govemor’s carriage. Mr. Fen- shawe only yielded to the plea that it was a stiff walk to the hotel. and his granddaughter would be consumed ‘arith aanety ifury alarming news had reached her meanwhile. The coachman took them by an open road facing the harbor. The sight of the Aphrodite lying at anchor, trimly elegant in white paint and neatly- furled sails, and sporting the ensign of a famous yachticlub, led Dick to ask if his companion knew that an Italian gunboat was on the lookout for her. _ “Oh, yes. His Excellency spared no details,” said Mr. Fenshawe, smiling sarcastically. “If I were a few years younger, and we had no women on board, I would not allow any threats of that sort to hinder me, and I am much mistaken in my omcers and men it they refused to back me up. But, as it is, we can do nothing. That is what galls me, my complete help- “We have no heavy guns, I admit,” said Dick, casting to the winds all thought of leaving the ship under pre- sent conditions, “but we have arms nd ammunition in plenty to make it hot work for any one in Massowah stop us once we are ashore.” ‘ The other sighed, whether on ac- count of his vanished youth or the impracticable nature of the scheme, it is hard to say. “Our weapons are meant only for efense," he said. Von Kerber wished detained solely because he declared himself a principal in the Austrinn's enterprise. end it was no smell token of oflcial regret at an nnpleeannt in- cident that they were now driving to the hotel in his Excellency’s printc carriage. Finally, none but a man angry and humilated would deny the right of Italy to forbid. the,“ through her colonic! territory of n tor. eign force such as von Kcrher Ind pro- vided. a (one equipped to an extent endinnmnnerthntlt. Fm'e, in all liklihood, hgd alight knowledge of. - 8’0 moi listened in silence to his guard against Arab hostilityâ€"that is all. But I do not despair of obtain. 3 redress from. Rome. Surely it can- not be known there that I am the leader of this expidition. It is so wildly absurd to treat me as a filibus- my, Mr. Royson, the Italian Archeological Society elected me an onorary vice-president ten years ago. is an Austrian subject, and there will be considerable delay before I can se- cure his freedom. We must. make for Aden at once. I will not trust the THE. WEEKLY FREE PK!!!- . D, l’a _VQ'I of diplomuic ven- dbyafileotaob‘grmdgdheramend thmverechnga rmeetingbetveen ber,letthembebr1 he yum-owner was they were true, “3‘ he was may Oflice was justified ann them. false. the” 'onld 1 bet, let them be brought to fish?» If they were true, the rltuliun Foreign Ofice was justified in its action: if false. theme would be such a. hubbub thot the resultant npolocieo would cer- tainly be accompanied by the ofler 01 every assistance to the objects of the .By this time they were free from inquisitive eyes or ears, and Mr. Fen- shawe proceeded to amaze the girl with a full recital of his disagreeable adventure. Royson noticed that she gave no heed whatever to his share in it. Her attitude was tinged with a slight disdain, and he began to feel miserably depressed until it occurred to him that she probably resented his departui'e on Mrs. Haxton’s errand without letting her know. That was consoling, to an extent. He was sure she would forgive him when he had an opportunity of telling her exactly what had happened. course I told her I didn't mind being left here until someOne came. But the funny part of it is that, although I was looking from the verandn. I failed to see either her or the captain leave the hotel." When they drew near the hotel. Royson ssw Irate wdehinrthe main street anxiously iron the balcony. It wss rsther remarkable that she should he alone. but all other thoughts were swept aside by the sight of, the joy which lit her {see when the esrriage stopped st the portioo and she learn- ed thst her grsndhther had arrived from nn opposite direction. They heard her glad cry, of surprise, snd she hastened to meet them. “Good gracious, grsndsd.” she said, “where have-yon been? I have waited here for you ever so long. wondering what had become of you.” “The Governor was such an sflsble person that he refused to let me 30.” said Mr. Fenshswe grimly. “He has detained the Baron altogether. But let us go up-stairs. I am pining for that long-deferred tea. Where is Mrs. Hutton?” “That is odd. distinctly odd. I meant to ask him. but tor-got it in my excitement.” “He will be here in 3 (cu minu , said she: with n livelier interest. There was n knock at the door. ‘ A “She is ill, I am afraid. She found the heat and noise too much for her. Half an hour ago she asked Captain Stump to take her to the yacht. Of ‘I think she made a shrewd ma. but. was unwilling to alum you. That. is why she sent Mr. Royson after us. Bythe way.whatdid ahetellhimto do?“ “I hue no idea.“ mid Irené coldly: They were so engrossed in their con- clave that a servant entered w' h lamps before they realised that day- light had waned and night was falling with the rapidity of the trapics. Mr. Fenshawe leaped up from his chair with an alertness that belied his negro waiter had something to say. and she gathered from a jumble of Italian and Arabic that a native wish- ed to see the Signora Barton. The man pronounced the name plainly. so there could he no mistake as to his meaninm nnd Irane annexed: "The Signor: in not here." Mr. Fenahawo was immersed in his letter- aaain, but he looked up. "What in it?" he demanded. "Some man in aakinz for Mm. Bax- ton.” aha aidiohin. "m no and interview him. I! he can tell us anything ,hring him Dick went off as soon as the mes- sage was ready. Irena avoided him ostentatiously while her grandfather was writing, and thereby laid herself Open to the unjust suspicion that she was flirting with him. In very truth she was torn with misgiving. and Roy- son’s share in her thoughts was even less than he imagined. Her quick brain divined that the arrest of von Kerber had only strengthened the Austrian’s claim on Mr. Fenshawe’s sympathies. Like all generous souled A7-“ -â€" “Was it illness. or anxiety, that sent her to the yacht?” “A little 0! both .I fancy. But why should she be anxious?,8he did not know that metters had gone wrong at. the fort.” send at least one cablegram from Mas. sowah,” he cried. "It will be harm- less enough to escape mutilation, as it is to my London office directing that all correspondence must be ad- dressed to Aden in future. You will cost 9” Dick ziflmust break my resolutionfnd it for me, Royson. and pay the Captain «new. 1,. ‘ wt“ -pvâ€" â€"_v' - The sun sank behind the highlands of Abyssinia while the Efiendi awaited the Governor's return in the guard- room of the fort. Thereupon his guide. being an orthodox Mahomedan. faced towards Mecca, knelt by the roadside. and bowed his forehead in the dust. Another devout follower of the Pro- phet joined him, and the two chanted their prayers in unison. It is said that hymns are seldom sung with such gusto as in convict settlements, and. j ‘t__l-.' looking vehicle ,snd she expected to M'en occupant peering-out ether. Theoonveyence wee empty! “There is some mistake.” she said. gleneingtrom thederk interior-toe Sandi driver. end then heck to the 'en unnerving erel other white-eheeted figures had crept steelthily between her and the doorway. With 3 little cry of elerm. she turned and strove to re-enter the hotel. Instently she wee swept of! her feet, 3 course hand closed her mouth. end she wee dragged with brut- el force into the carriage. She saw spring into existence what seemed to be a murderous from among a dozen men. The street wee filled with clem- or, and the pavement was blocked with struggling forms. Knives flesh- ed, brewny-ermed Arabs closed in deadly combat. and cursed each other with all the rich repertory otrIslem â€""rr" 7, ton. He might have deplored the blunder. but, leaving out of count any humane consideration for the girl's feelings. he must have admired the stage-craft displayed by her abductors. If cool skill were worthy of success they had earned it in full measure. In fact. the achievement would have ranked high in the villainous annals of Massowah were it not for the blind chance that separated Mulai Hamed from Royson two hours earlier. "1510511613 all“ us, a. "v..- n..- speech of thee.” “Bay on.” was the courteous reply. for Mulni flamed was flattered at beihg addressed thus by a man of distinction. “There he .eertein Gieoure at thy amnneeni, an old men. a fat man .ike e hull. a young men who stands more than n cuhit high, and a thin M, the Hekim Eflendi. whom I unit here. Best thou eny knowledge 0! them?” Mulei finned checked the list care- “It must he thet the anim Eflendi in in jail. for the other: I have seen. Ahdnlleh was annoyed. He. 3 pure- blooded Bedouin of the desert, had ance vile. nntil h. saw Mr. Fenshawe and Royson being whirled ofi in the Governor’s carriage along the sea front. He cursed both of them in suitable terms, and started on the long walk to the hotel. Being a born gossip. he chose the livelier route of the main street. which might yield a meeting with another acquaintance. This di- vergence led him near the Elephant Mosque. Abdullah. wearied of the rendezvous arranged by Mrs. Haxton for van Kerber, detected Malai Ham- ed's badge, and sought information. “Brother." said- he, “I would have «my, friend. I speak truly. May 1 mdrinktttheWhite Pondofthe Wfllhuvetoldtheeeventhfl which I have hard." Abdulhh Ivmowed his wrafll. 1i“- mmmlghifigned'1mrbm was convinced. Notyithmndins Mn. Of course. people tried to rush from the vestibule of the hotel to ascertain what was causing the tumult. But the fighters filled the doorway so that none could enter or leave the building. and, in the midst of the alarm and confusion ,the pair of Somamli ponies attached to the ramshackle vehicle were whipped into a last gallop. Then the riot subsided as quickly as it erase. and, were it not that Irene was gone, no one appeared to be much the worse. , CHAPTER IX A Gallop in the Dark. Several minor rills of events com bined to produce this tempestuous torrent at the door-oi the Hotel Grande del Universe, and any levei- headed man acquainted with their meanderings might come to the just ooncluaion that Irene had been kid- napped in the mistake for Mrs. Ha:- I 4‘, - o- vâ€" -â€"-_ in the fort, that two of the Efiendis were prisoners. .But the cook soon hastened away to decapitate certain akinny fowls which would form the basis of a Risotto a1 pollastro for din- ner at the oflicer’s mess, leaving Mu- lai Hamed to wonder if, perhaps, the tall Efiendi had also been kept in dur- dii not with to slight, she went for- vu'd without hesitation. The dim. crowded. tho thought. but the cove no main: to the powers-by, u the Ant had opened the door of thedxpgy appraised by this standard, Mulsi Hamed and his casual companion were accomplished rascals, for they rattled off the Saint and the Sunnsh unctuously, and performed the genu- flections and prostrations of the Belts with military precision. Then they exchanged news. Mulai Hamed, telling of the Giaours in the hotel, was vastly surprised to hear from his brother Mussulmsn, a cook usim Ibo word “ in than was mopping insidq yho [ of thy hotel rAjsytheOy went... theyfnet -_____ L____ _‘_._A_ "â€" -m' “I at not for folly.” he muttered. “This in the aver 01/}: drunken hâ€"I. DD wmv it was now ea- e rickety clam carriage being driven at a furious pace down a side atreet. andbolhmenthouchtitmmnking for the mile-long causeway which con- neck the island of Maseowah with ing outside, but Mr. Fenshawe’s fran- tic protestations when the scared man- ager told him what had happened con- vinced Royson that the servant's statements were wildly absurd. More- over, it became clearer each second that Mrs. Haxton, and not Irene, was the prize sought by the marauders. Royson, though in a white heat of helpless rage, soon became alive to this element in an otherwise inex- plicable outrage, and endeavored to sooth Mr. Fenshawe's wild-eyed alarm by telling him that the girl would surely be sent back as soon as the error was discovered. There was no time for explanations. Allwas panic and useless running to and fro. A messenger was sent to summon the police, and matters were in a state of chaos when Royson was approached by an Arab whose clearly- chiseled features ,‘arched eyebrows and high cheek-bones showed that he was of difierent lineage to the hybrids of the coast. His carriage, too, was that of a man of consequence, and he wore his human rather in the Algerian style. This was Abdullah, who had gathered (mm-the negro’s now almost incoherent words that Mrs. Eaton had been spirited away in the. carri- Stump’s sound precautions were unnecessary. None of the combat- ants approached them. Indeed, the struggle ceased as quickly as it began, and they were in the hotel before the frightened servants dared make known the thrilling fact that the young lady “I'm sorry. I forgot that you had not heard of him. He is the man who secured the papyrus, or paper, at Mar- seilles. Both Mrs. Haxton and the Baron are afraid of him." as I helped her up the ship’s ladder. Hello! Where' a the fire? Unless I’m much mistaken, young teller, there’s a first-class row goin’ on outside our bloolnin cafe. No, no, don’t you butt in among Arabs as though you was strollin' down Edgware Road on a Satr urday night, an' get mixed up in a 32;. â€"He Hardwhis own Ration: for be- lieving the laglr would encounter dim- ! AI ___ “I believe that man was Alfieri,” said Dick. “Indeed, Mrs. Haxton ad- mitted it. to me, and it was his unex- pected appearance that caused her to beat a retreat." “Funny thing,” growled Stump. “but them's Mrs. Haxton’s very words Simâ€"SS Vin: Missoxah, and the man spoke her name readily. whereas Miss Fendnwe’s we: unknown to either of He proceeded to astoniah the stout mariner with the evening's budget. but Stump had been thinking thing: out in his own fashion. and he set forth a theory which apparently ac- counted for van Kerber'a disoomfiture. "Who travels in such a hurry?” asked Abdumh. looking afler the swaying vehicle. "Perchance a kafila starts for the interior to-night.” said Mulai flamed. But the turmoil in the vicinity o! the hotel now drew their attention, and they ran with others, for public blood- letting is ever an attractive pastime to those who form the audience. “I cannot help thatâ€"I have been dragged into it in many ways ,each peculiar, and hardly credible when considered collectively. I promise you, captain, that I shall tell you the whole story one of these days. Mean- while, I think the sooner we are at Aden the better it will be for Mr. Fenshawe and the ladies, and I other you the respectful advise that you should back up Miss Fenshawe if she tries to persuade her grandfather to go there at once was missing. ~ The negro who accom- panied her down-stairs was positive that she had gone off on her own accord in the carriage that was stand- “You see, it's this way,” he said. “These bloomin’ I-talians have got the griffin about that treasure. And who gev' it to 'em? Why, that chap who arranged the hold-up at Marseilles. You said nothin' much about it, which was right an’ proper, but Tags is sharper'n he looks, an' he tole me that a paper was nicked out of von Kerber's pocket. That paper put the sharks on the scent. They got ahead of the Aphrodite by catchin’ the In- dian mail at Brindisi, an' had every- thing out ir’id dried for us when we dropped anchor here. Miss Irene an' “An’ who’s Mr. Alfie Wat’s-his- name?" broke in Stump. “You seem to know a dooce of a lot about this business.” exclaimed the skipper testily. Dick was then leaving the telegraph omce ,whence he had despatched a cablegram on his own account. Bans civility demanded that he should ack- nowledge Mr. Forbes' s various com- munications. so he sent the brief mes- sage: “Writing, Royson." which he thought covered the ground sufficient- ly. Before rejoining Mr. Fenshawe and Irene, he walked a little way to- wards the harbor. and, as he half ex- pected, met Stump returning from the yacht. caster rough-an’-tumble. These long- legged swine would knife you just for the fun of it, Keep full an' by, an' let any son of a gun who comes too near have it wher it’ll stop him." me spotted one of ’em watchin’ the hotel this afternoon.” PAGE THREE.