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s g n 1111 ust- 1p1e and nth W1th l to pre- the shop ’flfe, em' read 5‘)<\I<\I<\ t mwu ost Sun .ds to M on everywhere.” "I have not hidden myself, and you ust have missed a rather Iarge‘sec- ‘on out of your everywhere,” said the ‘rl. with a coolness that Royson ‘und admirable. . ”But. Mr. Fenshawe wants you. Be as been vainly awaiting his partner : the bridge table during the past 1'enty minutes.” ‘I would never have believed grand- her could be so callous. Play cards 'ref Where every prospect pleases had only bridge is vile! Let me bring um forth at once. Good night, Mr. loyson! Thank you so mmuch for a rice talk. I think I shall be able now bpass an examination in the history‘ had geography of the Suez Canal.” 1Dick lifted his cap, silently thank- Providence that women were more roit than men. Mrs. Haxton seem- lto take no notice of him. Indeed, he had scarcely spoken a word to him nce they met at Marseilles, and; ‘ere he a vain man, such studied neo lee: on the part of the woman might ave supplied food for thought. Yet [is possible that Mrs. Haxton her- elx' would confess to a certain chargin Eahe realized h'ow small a place she ccupied in his mind as he followed aer along the deck. Irene flitted in rout, light-limbed and agile, hum- ling gaily a verse of some song, but reaking off in the midst to ask Cap- in Stump not to be very angry if she Might a party of invaders to his my domain. She was young enough 3: to :‘w‘: fluttered by the knowledge lat Mrs. Haxton had broken in on Somewhat dangerous interchange of infidenws. She knew that she Want- ia fri~zzJâ€"-â€"some one less opinion- IiVe than Mr. Fenshawe-lâ€"to whom he could Jppeal for help and guid- “08 when difficulties arose. Royson ’fis alreadv a. hero in her eyes, and CHAPTER VI. At the Portal. "Why in the world did you hide rourseli in this part of the ship, rene?” cried Mrs. Haxton, advancing with a rapidity that was in marked ontrast to her usual languld move- mnts. “I have been searching for And Mrs. Haxton, hunting the ‘ship fgr Ireneâ€"not to speak of Royson and in'SPif when in calmer moodâ€"may have wondered why Stump should trumpet forth his information as; :uugh he wished all on board to. ya: it. Perhaps it was, as Dick al- ;.ady Well knew, that the stout skip- ‘er had good eyesight. as well as a kind heart. hat mute natural than that she iould rum to him, especially under 6 circuu stances which had come to ‘r knowledge that. evening? As for ‘0}! he i nC-ied that. the Suez Canal is one of the roads to heaven. Before he :limbed into his bunk. ”Fever, he re-Méd Mr. Forbes letter, 1dnoticed than that it bore sign of @Tference‘ while von‘ Kerber, If he K1 not opened it, must have jumped the conciusion that. it came from mdon solely because the stamp W38 aEnglish one. Added to 1131193 519d warning that all was not well } board, this apparent tamperms “h his correspondence bore an 11817 ”k- It almost suggested that the ”011 feared he was what the London “my agent. had asked him to be- ne‘ the paid spy of Alfieri. 'He Wered what hold the Italian had I: the man. Now that he was able Pauline recent events in 134181390 ”, he saw that. von Kerber h“?! “19d alone from London with the ‘0‘ throwing off his track #3! jeserl. you H . "You have taken a load from 'my heart.” she answered softly.‘ ,“Yon’re file only man on board in whom -I me any real confidence. I fear that my grandfather has been misled, wil- fully and shamefully misled, but I am unable to prevent it for lack of proof. Bu! :o-night ,after dinner, I chanced a) overhear a conversation with re-' ference to you which redoubled the soubts I ham: felt ‘ever since this ex- ition was decided on. I feel that trust you. Baron'von Kerber dis- sts you because you are a gentle. , He fears you will act on your. nor. And to-day since your letter ivedâ€"" "Yes. ma’am,” they heard Captain. ump shout from the bridge, “Miss” enshawe is forrad, with Mr. ROyson. ,ou’ll kind it a very pretty sight goin’ ~:rough the canal on a night like me? no: Mrs. Haxton for that : “OR pains to keep their-where- t”unknown. because Dick had tn uumuucement. of the Aphro- ‘Wse in a London newspaper 3“ on board by the pilot. Von W. nlime was not mentioned. 'hfl Was watching himâ€"and had L It was evident, too, that neith- (r, Fenshawe nor his M and ml we are loyal too. It was w behave, who snatched me er)’, almost from despair. fear, therefore, that. I shall acat.’ ’13ng Tags. , ,, , “Ai1’ wot did your‘sayjfil; - “Say. I fOIe ’im”to‘-,-'_dci_f_lhis dirty work hisself. . Mark niy voids; T333, he’ll not tackle tho job for)“: it comes to the gd’s earn. You ntch him closeup like on ”but." , “.4... mun" of “Oh, if you think that way about it,” said he cooly, “we can let the project drop for the present. I was only considering Mr. Royson’s own interests. Whether he goes or~ stays .it does not concern me in the least. {Have a cigarette? Ah, you prefer a pipe, yes ? Well, good night, captain. j:We shall not be rocked to sleep by ‘the wild waves to-night,. I imagine.” . Stump joined Tagg on the bridge. He jerked a thumb after the Baron’s retreating figure. ~ “That German swab wants me to boot Royson,” he muttered. . “Boot Royson? The idee! Wot for ?” “He piled 'it on thick about wot he called Royson’s own interests, but I knew better’n that. 1_‘It can’t. amt his book for our~_ dy second mate .to be sparkin' the owners daughter; abaft. the lantern, You takemy tip,i Tagg ,wuu ton, is as mes; as sin, ah’ hhe blew the gaff to-night when she” dropped on 'em after supper.” "I’ ve always thought her a bit at Stump was profoundly moved, or he would not have made such a long speech, and von Kerber knew that his flank attack had failed. Indeed, the gruff sailor has as good as charged him with rank ingratitude. f “Wot ?” said Stump, moving rest- ‘lessly under von Kerber's gaze: “D’ye mean it, mister ?" “I do, most certainly.” “Then you’r better fix the business yourself. You engaged him like the rest of us. I like the lad, and I'd take it ill to be axed to fire him. No sir. That aint in my.department thls. trip. It’d be a bird of another color if he was no good. But he’s a first- rater. an’ I, for one, will be sorry to lose him. If you don’t take my word for it ,ax Tagg. He knows a man when he sees him, does Tagg ,an’ he hasn’t forgotten that upper out Mr. Royson gave a land shark in Mar- seilles when the crowd set about 3’ you. I “Possibly, but I have reason to be- lieve that he wishes to return to Eng- land. ” “He hasn’t said so.” “Not to you, perhaps, but I know it is so, and I do not wish to detain him when our numbers are already ample for all purposes. I am awk- wardly placed in the matter, as Mr. Fenshawe feels under a slight obliga- tion to, him, so I shall be glad it you will pay him off to-morrow, on a gen- erous basis, of course, with every al- lowance for the'expenses of the home ward passage.” “Mr. Royson?” came the quick growl. “What of him? Next to Tags he’s the best man in the crowd.” Stump was shrewd in a limited way. He caught the drift of von Kerber’s comment, and it did -not. help to fur: ther the scheme which the latter‘had in mind. “That is what I want. But tell me, captain, will you be able to ‘reblace Mr. Royson? I believe he is useful when it comes to sailing a. yacht, yet I have no doubt you can dispense with him?” “That’s so,” agreed Stump, “but I can’t say I’ve blacklisted any of ’em. The on’y fault I find with’em is that there’s too many hands for the work.” “Good for any game you like to put before ’em,” was the brisk summary. “Ah, you regard them as depen- dable, yes?” For von Kerber had seized the oppor- tunity, when Mr. Fenshawe and the two ladies went below, to draw Stump into private conclave. “We reach Suez toâ€"morrow, captain,’ he said, and that will be our last chance of getting rid of. any of the crew whom you think unsuitable.” i ithdt she was “a persons grata in Angloâ€"Egyptian society.” Why, then. did the Austrian demand such secrecy from the" yacht’s crew, and be ‘so perturbed by the advent of a letter addressed to one of them? But Roy- son’s disposition was far too happy-' go-lucky to permit of serious ponder-- ings on other people‘s business.~ He ‘laughed and reddened a little (when ‘his mind swung round to the more pleasing memory of the girl’s frank sympathy, and he told himself, with deep and convincing earnestness, that next time they met he must guard‘ his unruly tongue, else it might run; away with him again, and find her} in less receptive mood. Then he fell asleep, and slept sound- ly, too, in blissful ignorance of a con- versation then taking' place in the chart~house, though it had the most direct bearing on his own future. but the others were described briefly, the référence t6 Mrs] 11mm beim that other woman is as mean 88 Sim} ids. Tags furhacaheat. Anathehnpmbu. murmur [or fear it oinetet‘ showed the stress of life. “Yes, I know am, too. ” roantchStnmp macddroninhimnelf;hn L‘Whotoldm?” - abewhiaketedmdedictionindnmp "I curmudgeon“ worthyotlinen. Thetempeudthemwfifl-conldnothdpit.” me! they could not shut out ts glare inmaceheat. Andthehugngn uneasiness of a steam-driven 'ahip. But-nail or steam. the pace was slow, m’dthemeofthened‘Seslefl itsreeordonthesmartlittlev‘uoelin the shape of blistering paint, gaping “Egypt is the land of riddles,” mus- ed Dick, as he gazed at the russet and purple hills which spring up so sud- idenly. to guard the strange see thrust by nature into the bosom of fiery land. “My best course is to adopt the at- titude of the Sphinx. I shall keep my eyes open and say nothing.” , He forgot. however, that the chief characteristic of the Sphinx is an en- during patience. and he chaied at the colorless monotony of the next few days. The Aphrodite crept under sail five hundred miles to the south, until the .wind died of sheer exhaustion Then the engines took their turn. and the yacht exchanged the steady roll of a topsail schooner forthe quivering “U". They moved away. Dick went back to his pulley. surveyed the deck over the fore yard, and deferred his descent until “Franz” and “Maud” were at the other end of the vessel. Since they ‘came on board they had been “Baron yen Kerber” and “Mrs. Haz- ton” in the presence of others. What desperate game were these playing that demanded these small deceitsâ€" what hazard of fortune was it that gave rise to the woman’s Cassandra- like forebodings? Von Kerber had been candid enough in the statement he put forward voluntarily at Marseil- les. Any one could guess the uncer- tainties of a quest depending on - a document two themand years old.i while its dangers were manifest. Mm Fenshawe and Irene must be cogni- zant of the open risks. and it was idle to suppose that they did not ap- preciate the unobtrusive way in which the yacht was being hurried to her destination. Why, then, should you Kerber and Mrs. Haxton share some secret understanding, the outcome of which. was doubtful, and, above all else, why should they fear the influ- ence that a young man might exercise on the crew? affairs neither she nor this young down-at-heels aristocrat would be here today. I am not saying this merely to annoy you, as you seem to believe. but to warn you. Be on your guard, Frank. Things are not going smooth. 1y. No great fortune was ever yet won without a hitch or two on he road, and we are not far from the Five Hills “You are a 'poor conspirator, my dear Franz,” laughed Mrs. Haxton disagreeably. “If you were really the clever person you think yourself to be you would know that such a man may leaven the whole crew with his ideas of honor. And, when the pressure comes. he will have an excellent help- er in that girl. She, too, should have been left at home. 0h, nonsense! Had you given me the ordering of “You should not say that if you are not prepared to tell me how I can arrange an awkward business better. And what are you afraid of? He is as keen as any of us for the adventure. and he will be well paid if it suc- me in the hour of need. If you hire pirates you must expect them to act as pirates. yes? Stump favors Roy- son, so he pointed out that as I had engaged him I must dismiss him. And you know quite well, if you would only be reasonable, that any such action on my part could hardly fail to arouse some measure of doubt in Fenshawe's mind, which is the very thing we wish to avoid.” “I .think you are wrong. neverthe to idischarge' him. and met with a, blank refusal,” replied the Baron ir- ritably. “That is even more amazing. Are not these men your servants ?’.' “Yes. in a sense. Try to understand me. Maud. I had to select men of good character, or they _tnight tail “I was exceedingly surprised to find that he was not sent ashore with the pilot at Suez, ” the lady was saying. “No matter what his present position may be, he is a baronet’s nephew and prospective heir it would seem. It is sheer madness On your part to keep a man like him on Board.” “But I tell you that I asked Stump strolled forward, and were leaning ov- er the side of the ship, never‘dream- ing that the man they were talking of was within a few feet of them above their heads, though hidden ny the ’3 which the cue: holy- Dick held out his hand to help be: down the short compenionway. They had not exchanged many words since that memorable night in the canal, and the penetrating look in the girl’s eyee warned Royaon now that she was ebont‘to y something not meant for other: toteer. “You have not forgotten?” she mur- reasons which lay behind his change of opinion, but Stump's voice sudden- ly recalled Dick to his duties. “Stand by the anchor, Mr. Boyaon.” he said, “and see that everything is clear when I tell you to let go.” Irene heard the order. “I want to watch the anchor flop overboard. ” she announced. springing npfromadeckchair. “Ithinkl shall accompany you, Mr. Royson.” Boyson was careful not to look at the speakers. Between him and them was seated Mrs. Haxton ,and he knew that she. too, was an attentive listen- er. Von Kerber began to explain the from Red Sea spleen. It distorts your 11on vision. You certainly took a difierent view of the situation when we determined its main features in London.” “Arabs!” he cried. “How long has that bee buzzed in your bonnet. The only lawless tribes in this country are far away in the interior. And even they are apt to think many times be- fore they ofier active resistance to the passing of a strong and well-intention- ed kafila. Besides. my dear fellow, we must purchase some portion of our equipment here. It is secrecy. not candor. that would endanger our mis- sion. Believe me, you are sufiering Von Kerber asserted that there was some danger of Somali Arabs becoming excited if they heard of the expedition. Mr. Fenshswe laughed. would turn back this instant rather than act in the way you suggest. You must allow me to follow my original plan. We shall obtain a valid permit from the Governor. If, contrary to my expectations, he refers the final decision to thte Italian Foreign De- partment, we shall await cabled in- structions. Our ambassador at Rome can vouch for us. He is an old friend of mine, and I only regret that I did not obey my first impulse and write to him before I left London." “It is useless to try to convince me on that head,” he exclaimed. “I “Y3.” He spoke emphatically, with unveil- ed impatience. Dick could not make out the Austrian's reply, but Mr. Fen- shawe’s next words showed that, what- ever the mmatter in dispute, he had a will of his own, and meant to exercise it. “no.” he answered. “When we go «bore you must come “How can I make sure of'that?” "I am sure the Italian authorities will place no obstacle in our way," he declared at last. “When all is said and done, the interest of our ship is mainly archeological. Why should you hold this absurd notion that we may be refused official sanction?” to a flat island, barely two miles-long; and assumed a habitable aspect. A lighthouse marked a fine harbor. A custom-house, a fort, several jetties, and a town of fairly tall buildings stood clear from a scattered gathering of coral-built Arab houses and hund- reds oi grass and mat huts. In a word, man had conquered the wilder- ness, and a busy community had sprung into being between the silent sea and the arid earth. While the Aphrodite was picking her way cautiously to the anchorage ground, Dick, who was on the bridge with the captain, heard some broken talk between Mr. Fenshawe and the Baron. The latter. with subdued en- ergy. was urging some point which the older man refused to yield. The dis- cussion was keen, and the millionaire betrayed a polite resentment of his companion's views. grew into a range of barren mountains broken by , narrow. precipice-guarded valleys. Then a thin strip of flat fore- shore became visible. It. deepened in- honra placidly until the memorable day dawned when Stump. after much close scrutiny of charts, ventured to leave the ode channel down the cen- treottheBedBeaandatandinto- ward the African coast. "Menorah!” was on every tongue. and the general listleness numbed. Soon a dim land-line appeared. It ohoud the Oceon Queen, her bunker gev' out six hours north 0' Perim. but he whipped the urin's ed. on' the sunkep’upahendo’ateuninthe boilers until she ran into port. The saloon party found existence more endmhle. They had odjnstahle window-chain, md electric hm, end there In a sheltered deck over their heede. 80 they dosed any the hot m7 E'mal‘â€" _ wash} his}: 1on- mtle. Unhappily for the W. Btumphadamdywtorthenetnyn MIMI “IKLY "II "II. mwmthéomampicionbyyomfoomhpmn- ehavetortheexistenceottheBo- cyhflobpfldhginflndmw “on. Now listen. Before five o'- mnlegion'alootisasmpoiswoely “hm-0600. Woulduclocklotupthernthohoteltor (Conunuodonpquq could not compete with the long, slim Somali craft. but he was aware also that Miss Fenshawe and Royson wish- edtolandincompeny.80hegrinned and sat down stain. ‘ The outcome of these cross purposes was curious in many ways. As Mrs. Baxton toreaaw. the jolly-boat was forbidden t6 land at the main wharf. and Boyson discovered that the Aus- trian did not understand Italian. It was Irene who translated the orders shouted at them by a Wish-look- izu soldier, and they had to pull OR in the direction _o! a smaller pier whmmnaxton Oaptaianmp had already disembarked in the midst o! a crowded jabberlnc natives, 0'. captain." said In Hutch. woman. Mrs. Baxton could be charm- ing when she chose, and she wanted Stump to actvexactly in accord with her own plans when they reached the town. By this time the two boats were nearly level. but separated by a hundred yards or more. The captain hadhalirisentohailDickwhenMrs. Haxton stopped him. “Let them go on,” she cried. "They would not take my advise. Now they will find that we have beaten them by a good five minutes.” "you must ha’ bin 3 small slip of a gal when you was married!" She laughed. with the quiet mur- ance of a beautiful and well-dressed waters.” Mrs. Haxton thought. perhaps, that she had aired her knowledge unnec- essarily, but she explained that when her husband was alive she had so- companied him during a long cruise in the Red Sea. “He was interested in cable con- struction," she said, “and we visited Massowah when it was first taken in hand by the Italians." “Excuse me. ma'am. but have you bin long a widdy?” “Nearly five years." "Oh. you know the ropes here. then?” said Stump. “Not many Eng- “We shall be “home first. after ell. He is heading for the Government. jetee, where e eentty will warn him 03.” Massowah before?” she said. “N0, mam.” Mrs. Haxton amiled delightedly. She was watching the distant jolly- boat, and something seemed to please 1 There was nothing more to be said. The boat was lowered so smartly that Dick was seated at the tiller, and {our ash blades were driving her rapidly shoreward, before the leading crew of the panting Somalis reached the ship‘s side. They secured two passen- gers, however. Mrs. Haxton. who had declined a seat in the jolly-boat on score of the intense heat. changed her mind, and the captain elected to go with her. “I want to cable my missus," he announced. "an' Massowah is likely to be our last port for some time. If she don’ hear from me once a month.‘ she frets. That's where Tau has the pull. He's an oriin.” ‘ really think we ought to impress the natives. Don't you agree with me, Baron von Kerber?” “An Arab boat will be much speed- ier and more roomy,” broke in Mrs. Haxton, quick to observe that von Kerber was not paying heed to the captains preparations. “You can land in one of those weird- looking craft if you like," said Irene, "but I am sure Mr. Fenshawe and I would prefer our own state barge. It Stufnp know quite well, of reoqtse. "Yes, the sooner the better, or the Government 01mm will be closed (or he day.” “Mr. Romn,” shouted Stump, “pipe the crew of the jolly-boat. an' lower away." “Are you goin’ ashore at once, sir?" he inquired. "By 33d.” hid Stump :dmiringly. passengers. Stump hustled down from the bridge with the importsut air of s men who had schieved some- thing, and thus gave Boyson en un- forseen opportunity 0! asking him about the boat. The skipper swung himself back to the upper deck, and approached Mr. Fenshawe. their Iva-thy crows oontanding stren- uously which should hnve tho vuln- uble privilege of landing the gpgcted end the Aphrodite rested motionless onthegreenmtenoftheroedsteed. The yecht’e arrival created lame stir on shore. Severe! but: put 01!. “Your second mate has not visited ingthntlrenammeyesforhernew and stance umnndinxa. read -von [(6er s much-needed lecture. “For podneoa’ nuke gather your wits". lb. murmured. “You villu- mue smpicion by your fooliah precon- flou. Now listen. Before an o'- er. who now heard of the “arrange- ment" for the first time. “Bean , Ir- ene. you put thing. so admirably that the bod/s crew. In. Hanan. men will pilot us.” While Fennhuve was airing his Ar- tbic in selecting a. guide from fifty volumes". Dick gave instructions to thoughts. Well. as that is settled. let u: go straight to the Governor's house. One of these black gentle verso,” she said. “Mr. Fenshawe wishes you and Captain Stump to join us, so the host may go back to the yacht and come for us at eight hesitated. uni Irene answered for him “We have arranged to dine cn shore. at the Hotel Gnnde del Uni: not yourself to-day. What is itâ€" liver? or snxiety?” hysterically. Boyson came to his re- lief by asking for orders about the host. but the Austrian was so un- The petulant words drew a proteat from Mr. Fennhewe. “My dear Baron.” he said “why should not the poor man make known his safe arrival to his wife? You are “Why did Captain Stump come uhore with you?" he asked. “To send Mrs, Stump a cablegnm. I believe." replied Mrs. Hanan eure- Knowing nothing of the difierence of opinion on board the vecht. Di‘ck could not fathom this sudden gracious- neu on her out. Before Dick could answer von Kerber's highly-pitched voice broke in. “I ought to have made a wager with you, Mr. Boyson." she cried. pronoun- cing his nuns very distinctlv. "Our English-built craft cannot hold its own stain“ the Somali, you see." ceu. hed certeinly ‘ziven the lady’s complexion a fine tint. Her dainty profile oflered a striking contrast to the motley crew of negroid Arabs who surrounded her. And ehe came to meet them in a buoyant spirit, though the fierce sun was scorching her deli- cate akin through the thin fabric of her dress. eir made him feel as youhg u ever. “There is no tonic like it.” he said. "Look at Ma. Hutton if you want proof. She was a. 1in in Londonâ€" now she is a rose.” Excitement. or the prospect of suc- dite, sprang on to the low pier at the ‘same instant. and laughed at his surprise at finding her standing at his side. They both extended a hand to Mr. Fenshawe. who refused their aid. saying that the first breath of drv “Who is he. the red ox?” demanded the Arab. gating sitar the broad figure of Captain Stump. “He is the captain of our ship, a man of no importance. The Hakim Eifendi is in the approaching boat. With him is Fenshawe Efiendi. the old, gray-haired man. There is a tall young ship's officer there, too. His name is Roysonâ€"you will not forget? â€"Royson. He is dangerous. Regard ‘him well. He might prove trouble- some, or usefulâ€"I hardly know which ‘at present. Fenshawe Efiendi speaks French and Arabic, Royson Efiendi French only. That is all, for the present. Leave me now.” “Adieu, madame. A cinq hem-es!“ Drawing back from the mob of na-‘ tives, who were pressing nearer in; their eagerness to offer themselves for? hire to the European boat, Abdulth shaded his swarthy face under a fold of his hurnous. Royson leaped ashore in order to assist Irene to land. She. with schobl-girl glee at emancipation from the narrow decks of the Aphro- "Exoéuenu" u “Then two" more hours will not weary you. Von Kerber Efiendi, or I, or both of us, will meet you outside the Elephsnt Mosque at five o’clock. Nevertheless, should there be others with us. do not speak unless we sd- "He ought to have asked my per- deference and heutenr. nnii the heck- oned him instantly. “You are Shaikh Abdulhh?” she uked in French. Hooleued a space. and rolled any tannin the town. Hence, he did not notice a. cent Anh, whoee flowing burnou- nnd distinguished air using- led him out from the mixed gethering of nondeeaipte nt the landing-place, who hided his time until Mr: Eaton hindyou. Dmdm11nitonmy bothnndnxhanu‘nmonr “You know the town well?” “IJ hgve been waiting here two H !” agreed her grandfath- DD that he for up appuranoes, and they dread some We which will interfere with pa: search. though the only authority archeology is known to all the world. She did not come across von Kerber by accident, but produced him at the right moment. He is not a casual :h’iend, met in Cairo, as she pretends. but a man whom ahe has known for years. And. last in a list of guessings which I know to be true, they both tear some discovery, or interruption. or danger not revealed to us, which may prevent them from obtaining the wealth they hope to gain. They‘are deepmtely poor. Mr. Royaon. They have mortgaged their credit to its mine-t extent to enable them to keep to be included in our friend's party at Glengarloch with the set object of I “I hope you will forgive me if I ex. :press a somewhat contrary opinion, Miss Fenshawe,” said Royson. “Your grandiather did not hesitate to run counter to the Baron’s wishes to-day, for instance." “Oh. that is nothing. Of course. with his experience of Egypt. he takes the lead in such matters. What I want you to believe is this: Mrs. Barton, and not von Kerber, found that papyrus, or it came into her hands by some means. She is the or- iginator of the scheme. She sought circumstances I should be delighted to take part in an adventure of this kind. Grandad promised me two years ago that we should pass the present winter in Upper Egypt. Un- happily Mrs. Haxton introduced von‘ Kerber to him‘at a place in the High- lands where we were invited for the shooting. The instant he heard of the legend on that wretched scrap of paper all his old enthusiasm for exploration work revived, and he has followed their plans blindly ever since." “Exactly. That is another hit of unconvincing accuracy. Mrs. Haxton has always been an essential part of the scheme. I am here solely because I did not think Mr. Fenshawe should be allowed to go aloneâ€"alone in the sense that these people were strangers to him, while he was spending thousands of pounds for their very great benefit. There. again, I find myself in a sort of verbal cul de sac. Under other “When Captain Stump protestedâ€" before he had seen you. rememberâ€" against ladies, accompanying us, the Baron said that without you the ex- pedition could not proceed." that he is acting in an underhand way. I had ventured to say as much to my grandfather. but I cannot ob- tain a shred of actual fact to justify my suspicions. Indeed Baron von Kerber is candor itself where the genuineness of the papyrus is concer- ned. Did he endeavor to explain Mrs. Haxton's presence, or mine?” “I should have said Captain Stump, Mr. Tag, and myself." “What did he tell you?” “The remarkable history of a B0. man expedition against the Sabaeans. of a storm, a shipwreck, the burial of a vast treasure. and the ultimate discovery of its hiding’place by means of a Greek papyrus found in a tomb." “That is what irritates me," said she, in a sudden gust of anger. “His behavior is faultless, yet I am certain ‘ “You know why we have come here?” she asked in a. low tone, halte in; to look back at the belt of tiny islets which secludes Massowah's Luger island from the open sea. “Baron von Kerber told us at Mar- seilles,” said Dick. wondering what new development had chased from the girl's face the smiling interest of a mOment ago. Barton. in order to learn how and when she had received tidings of Abdullah, hsd eyes or ears for naught else. Irene andeere thus given a few moments free from listeners. and the girl was quick enough to grasp the chance. CHAPTER VII. Mrs. Haxton Receives' 1 Shock. Mr. Fenshawe, renewing his ac- quaintance with Arabic gutturals, and von Kerber, walking apart with Mrs. as these in his train. there will be deeds done at the foot of the Five Hills, and I, Abdullah the Spear- thmwer, shall be there to witness bones. Tomb of my father! if the Hakim Efiendi has brought such men “By the Holy Kuhn,” said he, “there goes a men! I have seen tew like him, even at Khartoum, where the gisours swarmed in thousands. But he is young, and his flesh is soft. The desert will thin his blood. And that little hull, who went beforeâ€"he, too. should feel the sap dry in his Rom passed with the others. Ab dumb. the Arab, appraised him with critical eye. mix-ed dull join you the:- it possible. but in an event. you’ll meet Abdullsh. And, whetever you do. stop this non- aenue ebout proceeding in secret. Ah. yes, Irene, your grandfather has his hund- tull. But he knows how to menace mtivee. You will see him in his element when we come to collect 80, smiling and soft-tongued, Mrs. anton turned in response to some delighted exclamation from the girl. hey made their way inland in the (It Us’?” she demanded, almost I. 38*]