Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 1 — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

100 - Here was the bronze grating, raised some few feet from the tiled floor, and behind it the damask curtain that hung in dark folds from the edge of the dome to the floor, Glancing up, the girl saw that the sun’s rays had vanished; overhead, through the dome opening, a long cleft, dividing solid ‘rock, was visible. Only for an hour, at midday, did the sun strike down this nat- ural shaft in the rock. Edith heard a dull purring sound from beneath. Underfoot there was a slight, continuous vibration as the hidden springs seethed and boiled. The heat rose from the vapor and touched her face. Mahmoud had halted beside the bronze grille. Edith waited quietly, disturbed by the conduct of the Sayaks, but trusting that John Donovan knew what was in their minds and would safeguard her. She feared that in some manner of their own they were going to punish her. ‘What is it?” she asked Donovan, her voice trembling in spite of her effort at control. “Wait. Do not be afraid.” She tried to smile in answer, as Mah- moud took. the veil from Iskander, who still ‘held it, and wound it tightly about her ‘arms and body. Then he looked up, spoke to the manaps, who slowly removed his own ‘shawl girdle and handed it to the physi- cian. Mahmoud turned to Donovan, who \was watching from smoldering eyes. “In this way there will be no pain, Dono-van Khan. We will bind the white woman and lay her upon the raised place. Then the hot vapor will creep into her throat. Soon she will be dead.” “No,” responded Donovan, whispering. The Sayaks faced him impassively. Seemingly they had expected such a re- mark. Mahmoud observed under his breath: “It were wiser that the white man should have gone from the mosque.” Donovan was smiling—a habit of the man when his thoughts were racing and there was danger to be met. In this man- ner he had smiled at Jain Ali Beg when he rode after the caravan. “Mahmoud,” he began slowly, almost painfully, “‘ you must listen to what I have to say. Miss Rand is not a woman of your Very well. THE ARGOSY, people. She is innocent of evil. not slay her.’’ ‘A woman. No more. What is she but a beautiful slave? Aye, one made for the pleasure of men!”’ The Sayak chief nodded assentingly. To these men womenkind was a minor form of life, subservient to the men, their masters. Not so to the white man. “TI love Miss Rand,” he said. Mahmoud stroked the girdle in his hand gently. ‘It does not avail. Others you will perhaps love. It is written that a strong man shall have many wives.” ‘Not a white man, Mahmoud. This is a matter beyond even your knowing. [ shall love no other woman but Miss Rand, Her life is more than my life.”’ The Sayaks considered this gravely. Is kander had drawn back from the group, It was the stout chieftain who spoke: ‘“ Nay, Dono-van Khan. For you have a mission to fulfil in Yahka Arik. Your life is more, much more, than that of this woman. Even as steel is more to be valued than iron. If she lives, the time will come when she will reveal the site of Yahka Arik to our enemies outside. Aye, and the ha- tred of the wolf for the wolf-hound is not greater than the hate of the orthodox Mohammedans for us—who worship the sun. She must be silenced, so that Yahka Arik will be inviolate.” “* Aye,” assented Mahmoud. “The wolf-hound hunts,” smiled Dono- van, ‘‘ and he has need of one who will put him upon the scent of the wolf. The fal- con is loosed—but a hand must first re- lease him. I am your friend, as I was when the vultures were driven from the tower, and the hour is near when you will hunt. Without me your plans will be like water cast upon the hot sand at midday. You need me, yet I will do nothing for you if this woman dies.” Mahmoud’s bleared eyes narrowed. Donovan turned to him. ‘ Hakim, you know that Iam a man of my word.” 6¢ Vet." ‘“ And you know that a bargain between two righteous men is like a signed bond. I will make a bargain. Let Miss Rand live, and I will help you as we You will COMICLMO© SS C@