Adventure, December 1914 — page 193: what you’re looking at

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

The Sinews of War ‘Well, I suppose you have’ a right to be. But after all, you ought to know that I[ fight fair. I—I—you know I couldn’t be capable of this.”’ Perhaps some last flicker of doubt showed in my face, for she whirled on her heel and beckoned Kemil forward. “You tell him !”? she commanded. ‘Did I know anything about this until that cur Griffenstein began to boast of it this morn- ing?” “It’s true, Blair,’”’ Kemil said gravely. ‘‘She knew no more about von Griffenstein’s little scheme than I did—and if she is re- sponsible, soam I. But he gave the fellow his orders, and neither of us dreamed of such a thing as this until we cross-ques- tioned him this morning when he showed up for the first time since he left to get you. He had been on a spree over in Scutari, and came back only to get some more money from the Countess.” ‘I’m satisfied,”’ I returned, and I offered her my hand. “There’s my hand on it, Countess. I did you an injustice.” She took my hand, but the hurt look stayed in her eyes. ‘You think that because I am a spy, and —and—because I steal and cheat and de- ceive,” she said in a choked voice—‘“‘you think that—that—I—I am capable of any- thing.” “TI don’t any more, Countess,” I said. “And I was in the wrong—very much in the wrong—and I beg your pardon.”’ ‘“‘No,”’ she replied, shaking her head. “I don’t deserve to have you beg my pardon. I really don’t. But I’m glad you think enough of me to do it, at any rate.” And she turned and climbed into the li- mousine. I supposed the interview was over, and looked helplessly at Kemil; but he laughed and dropped a gauntleted hand on my ragged shoulder. ‘“Where’s your baggage, Blair?”’ ‘Do you mean to say you can take a man out of this place who has been here three days?”’ I stammered. “You forget that Kemil Pasha is my uncle,”’ he responded lightly. ‘Come, old chap, get in beside the Countess. We owe you some good treatment for all you’ve been through, and you are going to get it. You shall taste the greatest luxuries in the power of the Ottoman government to be- stow.”’ He grinned broadly at sight of the added bewilderment on my face. ‘Yes, 19I you shall have a whole palace all to your- self.’’ Too dazed fully to comprehend what was happening, I let him help me into the ton- neau of the car, sank back on the soft cush- ions beside Héléne von Anhalt, and almost before I knew it was being jounced out of the stockade gate past the guardhouse, where my friend the old Hamidian officer was standing at attention. The wind of the open country blew in my face, the clatter of the hoofs of the lancer escort rattled an accompaniment to the hum of the motor. Strangely enough, in my utter abandon- ment I never stopped to think of the effect my transfer might have upon Masoya’s ef- forts to rescue me when she got my mes- sage from the stockade. Probably this was because I already began to look upon my- self as a free man. ' “T suppose you know the American Am- bassador will have something to say as soon as he hears of my imprisonment,’ I re- marked to Kemil Bey as we bowled along toward Constantinople. He smiled largely at me, no more im- pressed than had been that rufhan von Griffenstein, and winked at Héléne von An- halt—who did not respond to his signal. ““My dear fellow,” he replied pleasantly, “the American Ambassador will not hear of your capture.”’ ‘““How can he help it?”’ I demanded peev- ishly. “Oh, you don’t always have to chop an unbeliever’s head off to make him believe in the Koran,” responded Kemil. “The Countess and I never planned to put you in a cholera-pen and get rid of you that way, but we had a perfectly practicable plan for cloistering you from the disturbances of the world until your accessibility could no long- er be harmful to us.’ I glowered at him; but he only laughed again. ~ ‘““My dear fellow, today to me, tomorrow to thee. Twice it has been your turn to hold the upper hand. Now, do not be- grudge it to me—more especially as you must admit that we have just | saved you from a very unpleasant ending.”’ ““Where are you taking me?” I demanded, ignoring his persiflage. ‘Did you ever hear of the Hilmi Bagtchi Palace?”’ I nodded. Every one who has ever been in Constantinople has heard of the Hilmi NOOK (C@©