Adventure Magazine Cover — page 67: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Witch of Aleppo moved as he watched the labor of the man who had taken his name and place until this time should come, ‘so that Sidi Ahmad should be alive to reap the fruits of his efforts. “OQ lord of the planets—mirror of the glory of Allah,” murmured the savant, “that which is written will come to pass.”’ ‘And what is written?”’ “The message of the stars is not clear. A portent lies under my hand, and within the hour . “Nay, I will name the portent for you.” Sidi Ahmad smiled, well content. “It is good. The Shah of Persia, with whom thou hast been negotiating, hath poured water on his sword. He will aid me. So will the mamelukes of Egypt and the beys of Tripoli.” The wazir, , marking down his observa- tions on a sheet of parchment, inclined his head. “Within the vault below the tower, O favored of Allah, theu hast a hundred thousand swords.”’ Sidi Ahmad started, and- then smiled approval. “Aye, ealth to buy them. And the confidence of the Sultan Mustapha to use them. At the imperial city they say that he who controls the janizaries of the court rules Islam. For a time I feared the king of kings, who made gifts of a dagger’s point to other pashas of Aleppo, but to me he sent a damsel who is like the moon.” The astrologer frowned. “Why did the dog of a kazak burden him- self with the maiden?” “She was the surety of his mission—it would have put the shadow of doubt on his tale had he appeared in Aleppo without the woman.”’ Sidi Ahmad fingered the scar on his cheek thoughtfully. “Before the night is past my men will have thrust a spear into every corner of Aleppo, and the dog will be brought to me. He has not escaped the walls.” “But the other?” “Is a fool. Behold, I have here the safe conduct given him by the Sultan. Allah deliver us from such safe conducts, for it calls for a life! I shall earn another coin of good-will from my master by sending the Frank’s head with this paper to Mustapha.”’ The wazir smiled. “Then should we have the head washed 61 in rose water, and the beard combed and scented. What has my lord done with the maiden?” “T have sent for her. The slaves are long in finding the wench. I have a mind to look upon her unveiled.” “Beware of trickery, my lord. The singing girl prays not. with the faithful, and I do not think she is. a Moslem at heart.” “What matter, O reader of the stars? Hath a singing girl a heart?”’ Sidi Ahmad yawned and sat up abruptly. “OQ lord of lords, king of kings, com- mander of the faithful!’ Lali’s voice from the open door of the tower room startled the two men because she saluted Sidi Ahmad as a Sultan. He sprang up, brows furrowed, and snatched the veil from under her eyes. - ‘“‘Allah! What man told you——” “Pardon your servant, O Pasha.” Lali bent her dark head, the trace of a smile trembling on her lips. ‘Am I blind not to know who gives orders in Aleppo? Are you not Sidi Ahmad, the Lion of Islam, the far-seeing, the great in heart?” The narrow eyes of the tall Moslem sparkled as he realized the beauty of the girl. She met his gaze without flinching, her cheeks pale against the dark flood of hair. “Verily Riwan hath opened the gates of paradise,” murmured the pasha, “and let out this damsel for my delight.” But even as he spoke with a satisfied smile, his. hand went out and he unclaspe! the ear-rings that fell to her shoulders. A black pearl was set in each, and Sidi Ahmad felt keener pleasure in the touch of them than in the soft skin of the girl. “Worth twenty sequins, the pair,” he muttered, and stripped a gold bracelet from herarm. ‘And this almost as much. Why did you linger, at my summons?”’ “Lord,” spoke up one of the armed slaves who conducted her, “‘we found this woman fumbling at the door that leads to the tomb below the tower—a thing for- bidden by your command.”’ Sidi Ahmad ceased smiling, and his lips set cruelly. ‘Ah, so you have light fingers.” Lali tossed her head, watching the pasha from under lowered lids. “Favored of Allah, there was talk that you had in the tower a store of Persian silks and rolls of cloth-of-gold, sewn with pearls oY COmiclbook (©