Adventure Magazine, April 10, 1924 — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

The Making of the Morning Star AI They were thrust forward into the dust- cloud as the slaves of Osman issued from the palace gate and beat a path for their master, who sat in a palanquin. Catching sight of Robert, he signed for the guards to bring the captive after him and ordered his bearers to run toward the righistan. ‘“‘Where is Muhammad Shah?” bellowed the Turkoman, running with them. ‘‘Where are the ameers?”’ Osman lay back on his pillows, closing | the curtains against the dust. They passed an array of spearmen mounted on camels and—thanks to the wands of the Nubians— emerged into the great square at the same moment that some score of elephants came swaying up the street on the other side. Before and behind the elephants galloped horsemen, white with dust, drawn simitars in hand. Abreast the pillars of the Jumma mosque the leading elephant—a towering beast painted green and red, with steel blades lashed to its tusks—slowed its am- bling gait and threw up its trunk. The lines of Bokharians near Robert cast them- selves on their knees, pressing their fore- heads to earth. So he was able to see the mullah of the mosque standing on the steps of the edifice. And, when the elephant came to a halt, the man who sat alone in the glittering howdah stared first at Osman and then at Robert, who remained standing. “Hail to Muhammad Shah, the mighty, the victorious!”’ roared the crowd. Robert saw a face under a turban that glittered with jewels—a puffy face with restless eyes. Osman climbed from his litter and salaamed. “© monarch of the world, make thine ele- phant kneel. Thy palace is in readiness.” He spoke boldly, and under the words was a shadow of mockery. The Shah leaned forward. “Upon thee the peace, O hadji!l’’ he greeted the mullah first. ‘Necessity has changed my plans. I ride to Herat, there to gather together the new forces from the south.” The dark eyes of the wazir glittered, although he did not seem surprized. ‘‘And what of Bokhara? What is thy command?” . “To defend it against the Mongols,”’ re- plied the man in the howdah slowly. “In council the ameers of the kingdom have given decision to retire to the walled cities. Against these the foe will spend his strength, while a fresh army gathers under my standard.” “And is this thy decision also, O king?” asked Osman loudly. “Tt is my command.” The minister bent his head. “To hear is to obey. Give to thy ser- vants the boon of the Presence, if it be only for one night, that our hearts may be strengthened.” Muhammad hesitated, and Robert thought then that this man was not of a race of leaders, if he knew not his own mind. Instead of answering he signed for Osman and the mullah to approach closer, and they talked for several moments in low voices. Then deliberately the wazir made a response loud enough for Robert and the nearest horsemen to hear. “Lord of the age, companion of the war- riors of Islam, mirror of the glory of Allah— give to thy poorest servant, Osman, the wazir, thy signet ring and the command of Bokhara’s garrison, that his back may be straightened and his courage heightened and thine enemies confounded.” Again Muhammad hesitated while Os- man waited at ease. It occurred to Robert that if Osman was powerful enough to speak insolently to the emperor, a successful defense of the city would strengthen the wazir’s hand. Osman already had under his influence an army as great as the Shah’s; a considerable victory would win him new followers. “Nay,” said the man in the howdah, firmly this time, “the care of the treasure is thine—and the mullah’s. Is not that enough care?” Other officials now approached the ele- phant, and there was a brief conference. Osman dissembled his disappointment and listened attentively. Presently Robert recognized Abdullah’s voice and saw the minstrel close to the howdah, laughing as at some excellent jest. Muhammad glanced at the muullak. “Ts it true, O kadji, that the zmams have asked for a new leader?”’ “Protector of the Faith, it is true.” “Then I name the ameer of the Franks, the conqueror of the Saracens, commander of the garrison of Bokhara.”’ A murmur went up at this, and men pushed closer to study the face of Muham- mad. Until the Shah signed to him Robert COMICOOCKKS.ECO