Argosy, Vol. 119, No. 2 — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

COMPLETE IN THIS ISSUE, CHAPTER I. A PEARL OF PRICE. HALF-NAKED black ran into the bazaar of Nejed, that oasis town in Central Arabia, which ali Orientals call Nejed the Blessed. The slave carried a long white staff in his hand, and cried: ‘Way for Ali.Hassan! Make way for the - worshipful Ali, who ruleth for the Sultan in this city!” : At the sound of his chant the vendor of melons cursed and put his best fruit out of sight; the seller of sweetmeats groaned and said: ‘“ Farewell to the profits of this day.” The goldsmith, hunched over his tiny anvil, dropped the chain upon which he worked into his girdle, and the old woman who sold the long Nejed dates, said to the girl who stood near her: ‘“ Get thee out of sight, my child. I will not have him look upon thee.” A white donkey with a crimson blanket under his saddle and yellow reins on his bridle trotted out of a narrow street into the bazaar, bearing a bulky man upon his back who wore the long cloak of an Arab, but the red fez of the Turk. The crowd parted quietly and many men bowed low to the bulky figure. Ali Hassan bowed to no one; he rode with his small black eyes now upon the ground, now upon the heaps of merchandise, and now upon the carved upper windows about the square. His glance fell upon a small man sitting near a bale of rugs. He reined in his donkey. ‘“ And who art thou?” he said abruptly. “ Najob Azoura,” said the merchant, “ if it please you.” “It pleaseth me indifferently well,” said Ali, “ and. your face pleaseth me even less. Thou art a coast dweller?” a4 Yes.” ‘““And thou wouldst do business here without a license from the viceroy of the Sultan?” : “TIT knew not that that was the custom > here, Ali Hassan.” “Custom!” said the big man. “ It is the law.” He turned to the crowd who had gathered about the rug merchant and him- self. ‘Has he sold aught?” “Aye,” said the goldsmith, “one rug scarce a half-hour ago.” “The dog!” whispered the old woman over her dates. “ There is no law in this place but Ali Hassan’s evil heart. Now will the coast dweller catch it.” ‘“ What wares hast thou here?” said Ali. Hassan. : : “Rugs, excellency.” “Spread them out.” | Ali Hassan eased himself in his saddle and watched while the merchant straight- ened his bale of rugs. The merchant was a. IQI lita ae eg < Fe (E(@) GEomicbooks