The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

A MONTH IN THE MOON. » Kaddour was carried on a shield by four men, and in the distance resembled nothing so much as a piece of roast beef on a large dish, as Sir Bucephalus remarked on seeing the approaching procession. ‘Norbert’s first care was to have the dwarf conveyed to the chamber vacated by the three ‘‘commissioners of control.’’ This room opened off from the right hand side of the circular passage. ‘The doctor was requested by Norbert to attend to the dwarf’s injuries, and a sentinel was posted at the door of the room. Norbert then hastened to the drawing room, where Gertrude, hardly as yet recovered from her agitation, smilingly awaited him. Now that the danger was past, they could measure its extent. What would have become of them had it not been for the sudden disaffection of the two troops, and the heroic presence of mind of Virgil? There was no doubt but that the dwarf of Rhadameh would have destroyed the works, pillaged the observatory, murdered every man in Tehbali, perhaps with horrible torments. Now they were free and victorious and he was in their power. Had Norbert given rein only to his indignation at the presumption of the miserable charletan in daring to raise his eyes to Gertrude, and to subject himself (Norbert) to such ignominous treatment, he would have made short work of the wretch ; but with a delicacy of sentiment that all noble natures will appreciate, he mistrusted his first impulse so far as to postpone carrying it out whilst the dwarf lay unconscious ; and hence his first act was to request the doctor to attend to the prisoner. , Briet reported the dwarf as still insensible, and suffering apparently from congestion of the brain. All idea of capital punishment was set aside for the time, therefore, since no one kills a stunned and defenseless enemy. ‘The question also rose as to whether it was not, after all, a fortunate occurrence that he should be still alive, for he might turn out to be a useful hostage with reference to the Mogaddem of Rhadameh and the Cherofa tribe. This was the unanimous opinion after they had discussed the facts that had come to light, and had thanked Virgil profusely for the brave heroism that had changed the tragic situation into one of rejoicing and triumph. Gertrude recounted the episode of Gordon’s telegram and the witchcraft by which Kaddour had tried to dazzle her. There could be no doubt that he was perhaps the most important personage in the Soudan, owing to the extent of his knowledge and his occult power. It might well be that fate had put into Norbert’s hand the sole weapon whereby to subdue, not merely the tribes of the Soudan, but the population of all Mussulman lands. The dwarf had boasted that in his hands the Mahdi was but a puppet who would dance to his piping. The Mahdi was certainly marching upon Khartoum, and if the despatches of Gordon were stopped and changed as seen. by Gertrude, this rendered the approaching advent of an English army of relief less and less probable. In fine, it was all important to guard their hostage, even if only from the narrow personal point of view that their work- men at Tehbali needed recruiting, It was necessary, then, to cure him, and keep him in sight, for the common safety depended perhaps on his life. COTpMiclaooolks 3