Adventure Magazine, April 10, 1924 — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

The Making of the Morning Star men unknown to the knight, and Robert waited for an explanation of his presence. The wazir rose leisurely and called the crusader by a dozen complimentary names —lord of the plancts, perfection of chivalry, a second Iskander. “T bear thee tidings, O ameer—good tidings. Because the heat in the alley without was a curse upon us, we made bold to enter thy garden.” His eye quested over the barred em- brasures of the dwelling for a glimpse of the girl. “And Hassan of the ready tongue hath made a song for thy mistress.” Robert gave his charger to Will to lead back to the stable and walked over to the Kharesmian. “This house belongs to the damsel,” he said slowly, “‘and I have not come here save to ask of her welfare. Send your buffoons from the garden and say your say in few words.” Osman hid his anger behind a smile, and Hassan laughed. When the cup-compan- ions had departed the wazir motioned Rob- ert to the carpet and sat beside him. “You are not wise to tarnish the mirror of friendship—with me, O Nazarene. Our paths in Bokhara lie together, and we seek the same end of the road-——” “Your tidings?” “Are that the Mongols have food and fodder for their horses sufficient for only three days. At the end of the three days they must enter Bokhara or strike their tents and go elsewhere.” ~ “Tow had you this?” “From my spies, who traffic with the barbarians under guise of shepherds and wood-carriers.”’ “No men have come into the city in two days.” “True. My followers send messages over the wall. They took from Bokhara pigeons that fly back when they are loosed, and the messages are written and bound to the claws of the pigeons.” He looked amused at the ignorance of the knight who had never heard of carrie pigeons or water clocks or naphtha. “Lo,” went on Qsman agreeably, “‘the seal of fate is on the foreheads of the ac- cursed Mongols. They can not complete their causeway, and their horses can not leap the wall elsewhere. Your skill will save Bokhara, for the three days will soon be at 93 an end. And then—” he hesitated—“what reward will be yours?”’ Robert merely glanced at him inquir- ingly, carelessly at first, then attentively. Osman’s hand shook and the pupils of his eyes were dark; a muscle twitched in his sallow cheek. In Cairo the crusader had seen Moslems who had taken an overdose of bang or hashish, and they had looked like this. “T will take,” he observed suddenly, ‘two thousand pieces of gold.” “Two thousand! Thy palm would scarce be covered. Ask for more and it shall be thine! But not from the hand of Muham- mad.” “How then?” “YT can show thee the treasure of Khar.” é ‘Hal?’ Osman chuckled with secretive satis- faction. ‘Aye, the throne of gold that an elephant scarce may bear on its back! MMiskals of gold piled in caskets and the caskets as many as the stones of this garden. Jade scattered upon the floor, and an ivory table——” “Nay, it is hidden.” “Beneath a mosque. A hundred men might search every mosque in Bokhara for a twelvemonth and find naught. They could dig until they wearied their loins. CGnly one way leads to it.” Osman’s thin arms clutched his stomach ia uncontrollable excitement. ‘‘Ai-a, there are blue sapphires and chains of rose pearls! Diamonds that could put to shame the light of the sun lie there in Garkness—for how long?” “Have you seen it?” Robert’s lean face was attentive. “May Allah grant me joy for the pain! Aye, I have seen each thing that was sent down, under the eyes of the priests. And Muhammad the Slave, fears to bring his riches to the light. Were I the Shah I would keep it within my hand.” His thick lips drew back in a sneer. Taking Robert’s silence for a reflection of lis own greed, the wazir explained how tribute had been levied on the caliphs of Bagdad to get some of the finest. of the jewels, and how Herat and Balkh had been searched to add to the treasure of Khar. “And now you have a plan,” nodded Robert. Remembering the heat of the day and COnlNCLOOO C S (C@ S|