Adventure, February 20, 1922 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

PE SAR OD rr? ert ie - wild beast might escape. - inside was a meek-looking old patriarch with 14 Adventure Yet all we found a long blue-gray beard, who sat in a corner telling amber beads so piously that he could hardly spare us attention. They had not dressed him in a jail suit; he was arrayed in all the full-flowing Arab dignity that is very far from being a mere mask. It is the outward and visible sign of an inner quality - that makes those who know the Arab well prefer to condone his roguery. “Marhaba, Ali Baba!” “Allah yafik, Jimgrim! It is time! Be- hold the indignity to which that young whelp of an Englishman has put me! I have grandsons older than him! Yet he put me in this cell, laughing when I cursed him, as if an old man’s curse had no weight. When I threatened him, he offered me tobacco—the young spawn of an adder! Tell the jailer to bring in two chairs, Jim- grim, and some tea, so that I can offer you hospitality! You and your friends will all be dead by midnight, but what of it? There is no malice between me and thee. Speak through the door to the jailer.”’ CHAPTER III “But we be honest men!’ RIM sat down on one of the clean stone floor-slabs and leaned his back against the wall. “It is not good, Ali Baba, to see you in this place,” he said. ““Mashallah! It is easy to spare your feelings, Jimgrim. Say the word to the jailer and you-shall see me in the street in a minute!” Isat down opposite and watched. Grim’s expression was wholly of good humor, but under the old Arab’s mask of friendly dig- nity I thought I could detect suppressed ex- citement. His eyes—soft-brown as a doe’s— had fire behind them and he kept on telling his beads automatically, flicking each one forward with his thumb, as if in some way that relieved internal pressure. “Have you been searched?” Grim asked him unexpectedly. “No. I have suffered all indignities but that. Isshallah,* I shall be spared the searching and the prison bath.” “Suppose you give me Aaron Cohen’s watch, then.” | : *If God wills. Grim held his hand out. The Arab shook his head. “The Jew’s. watch? To the —— with the Jew and the watch as well! I know nothing of either of them.” “IT suppose,” said Grim sousiderately: “when a man gets to your age, Ali Baba, his memory usually fails. Well, never mind; here is a nice clean cell, where you can sit and refresh your memory. Meditation may bring recollection. There is no hurry.” “Truly no hurry! Before dawn I shall be free. If the Jew still needs a watch by that time, the thing can be buried with him.” “You think the crowd is coming to release you, eh?” The old man nodded. ‘You are wrong,” said Grim. “Tf not tonight, then tomorrow night.” “That would bring sure eventual disaster on themselves, if they try to take you out of here by force.” “Am I not Ali Baba? They will come.” ““Ali Baba, the thief!” “Ali Baba ben Hamza, the captain of thieves!” The old man made that boast as. proudly as ever Roman captain gloried in his legion, and Grim smiled comprehendingly. Stee re not going to be here when they , old friend. We'll save them the er of pulling the jail down.” “Ah! That is wisest, Jimgrim. To spoil this good jail were a pity. And there are mean rascals in here whom they would. release, but who ought to remain for the hangman. It is best to let me go; you were always a man of discernment.” “Who mentioned letting you go?” Grim retorted, letting his face grow suggestively harder. “There is a. less troublesome way than that.” : “Allah! Shit muhal!* You would hang me? You?” “Not necessarily—at least, not yet. Do you think you know me?” ‘“‘As a father his son; as a farmer knows the weather; as a fox the hunter! Were you not once governor here?” “Am I a liar?” ‘Nay. A deceiver. A cunning and most bold contriver and twister of surprizes. A man who smothers knowledge under smiles. A follower of dark ways. A danger, because of great subtlety and daring. But no liar. *What does this talk mean? Nil oe ~ ae Lat > ——— ——e- ——_ . *a* —-. . cComichbooksado . . me." Ly,