Adventure, February 20, 1922 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

‘The Seventeen Thieves of El-Kalil ‘(Do you remember the talk you and I had at the time I set him free? I knew who had done the murder he was to have been hanged for, didn’t I?” “It was no murder,” swered. “That man’s father slew’ my father. It was justice.” “Nevertheless, you committed legal mur- der and I might have hanged you. What says the Koran? Does it bid return evil for good? Does it say in the Koran that a cap- tain of thieves has no honor and need not keep promises? What are you and I— friends or enemies?” “Jimgrim, you know I am your friend! All my sons and grandsons are your eriepidss You know it!” “That is what I have been told, but I have yet to see it proved.” “What canI do? ITamanold man. Can I stay a massacre by wagging a gray beard in the suk?” “That remains to be seen. I will tell you what I have done. I have a true friend in Jerusalem—a friend unto death. _ Also, those in ‘authority in Jerusalem listen when I speak; to them I gave certain writings, sealed before I came away this mornihg. It was known how serious the situation is in this place; so it was agreed before I came the old man an- _ away that if these boys de Crespigny and Jones should be killed—and of course I shall die with them in that case——”’ “God forbid, Jimgrim!” , “Then that seal shall be broken, and because of what shall be found written the © first to be hanged when reprisals begin shall be the sixteen sons and grandsons of Baba ben Hamza. But the seal shall not be broken otherwise.” _ “Yimgrim, shall the sons be slain for the father’s fault? That is not justice!” “But concerning Ali Baba ben Hamza himself I made a different agreement. I said to that friend of mine in Jerusalem, who is a friend unto death: ‘Ali Baba ben Hamza of El-Kalil,’ said I, ‘has said he is my friend, but hitherto has not yet proved it. At this time my life will be in Ali Baba’s hands. If he keeps faith, well; but if not, attend thou to it, making sure meanwhile that the bayonet is sharp.’ ” “A bayonet? That i hin thing to mention between friends, Jimgrim!” “No, but between enemies a final argu- ment! I claim you as a friend. But if you are not willing, I shall know what to do next. It is'doubtless written whether I am to die or not at this time; but the conse- quence of that is also written and the fruits of the tree of friendship, Ali Baba, are always sweeter than the excrements of enmity!” “What can I do? is laid!” “Can the old not keep their promises? Are the old ungrateful? cause they are old, forget their friends?” “Nay, Jimgrim, on the contrary! But you must not be too hard with me.” The only thing about Grim that suggested militarism was his uniform. Shut your eyes to that and he was a business man driving a difficult bargain through to completion. His iron eyes were steady, but not over- bearing; they looked capable of dreaming as well as of discriminating, and faithful beyond measure. His voice too, had a quali- ty of sympathy, so that when he was most threatening he seemed most persuasive; and along with the good-tempered smile there was an ability that neither words nor attitude expressed, but that was unmistak- able—to understand and allow for the other | fellow’s point of view. “Ts it hard, O captain of thieves, to keep faith?” he asked. “To keep faith?” Al Baba paused sade ; stroked his beard. asks of any man. difficult.” “That is all that God But it is often very “T shall keep faith with you,” Grim. | answered, smiling genially. “You owe me two lives—yours ; and your youngest son’s.”. “‘Taib! I will pay two lives. Nay, I will do better; I will repay fifteen for the two! | Seventeen for two! Thy life, Jimgrim, and — the two youngsters who-have tried to rule here and these—even this Jew—the doctor at the mission hospital and the woman who helps him and your ten policemen; go all of . you, and on my head beit if harm befalls you on the way! Go safely to «Jerusalem. I give yourleave to go!” ‘ Grim laughed and leaned back to light | a cigaret. It did not seem to'me that he had won his case, but he acted as ‘if there were almost nothing more to talk about, and — Ali Baba’s old brown eyes beamed with a new light. “You have spoken, Ali Baba. Seventeen for two, and we'll call the account balanced. But the seventeen are yourself and your sixteen sons. Iam old. And the fire Do the old, be- — And the account—that shall — be the account I shall give of El-Kalil when > 4% Pry * ™ ¥ a 4 it ¥, ’ ‘ ¥ if i vs »* : ve " 4 » uf Sed : He ee 4 “u a ee t ine ; *i z * EOmiIcbooks. «i a