Adventure Magazine, April 10, 1924 — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

54 _ Adventure the quivering nerves of the man beside ~ him, he wondered how much the drug had affected Osman. Certainly the man was telling the truth. Osman’s plan was a bold one. The wazir dared not draw upon himself the rage of the Moslems by violating a mosque. He offered to tell Robert how to reach the entrance to the treasure vault. With some of the lawless Turkomans the crusader could beat off the priests and hold the mosque above the vault long enough to make away with the jewels and the bulk of the gold. Mean- while Osman would assemble the Kankalis and would protect the Nazarene and his men from pursuit. Robert could take a part of the gold, leaving the rest with the wazir in his palace. They would not make the attempt until the Mongols had been driven from the city. Robert could escape to the gates with his portion of the gold; his escort of hillmen would be sufficient to force a way through the pass. The Turkomans would like nothing better than such a venture; Khar was torn by strife, and Osman, with the treasure in hand and the city held by his men, would be able to raise his standard against Muhammad. The victory over the Mongols would heighten his influ- ence—— “And if the Turkomans turn against me?” “That is thy affair and risk. Thou art winning honor among them, O ameer, and they love a bold leader.” Robert remembered that Osman had said nothing of the maid of Ibelin. Probably the wazir would prove treacherous. Yet— with some of the treasure in his grasp and a horse under him and the road from the city clear—with a few of the wild tribesmen to follow him! “Tf thou canst win a victory over the foe, Muhammad will soon put thee in thy shroud,’’ whispered the Kharesmian. “That is ever his way.” This was probable. Osman’s plan offered a desperate chance, but it stirred Robert’s pulse. Nothing could have been said more to his liking. To ride through paynimry into Palestine with an emperor’s ransom— to hew out a way of escape at the sword’s point for Master Will, and the priest and the maid Ellen! He looked at Osman. The man was dreaming, his cheeks flushed, his eyes dull. Surely the wazir would lose nothing by making the attempt, and—by a stroke of fortune Robert might find himself at the head of an army, lord of Bokhara in truth. Weighed in the balance, Osman would be found wanting if the ownership of the treasure stirred up fighting. “Seek me out when the Mongols have been scattered,’”? Osman whispered. ‘Our paths lie together—and the end of the road is in sight.” Robert nodded and rose as a warrior entered the garden. “Yah khawand,” the newcomer salaamed, “there is brawling between the men of Kutchluk Khan and the merchants of the suk. The Turkomans are riding down the stalls and snatching plunder.” Osman rolled over on an elbow, secretly pleased at the trouble in store for the cru- sader, when he should attempt to interfere in the dispute. “Are the riders clearing the market- place?’”’ Robert asked the messenger. “Allah—as kites clear bones.” ‘““Good!”” Robert nodded to the surprized wazir. ‘“‘Go you and adjust the troubles of the merchants. They are in your charge.”’ Left alone, he stood by the fountain, his lips set in a harsh line. In his journey from Egypt to Bokhara he had met nothing but treachery and plotting. Even Abdullah had proved to be otherwise than he seemed— and Robert found that he missed Abdullah. Were there no men who kept faith? And why should a man keep faith? CHAPTER XII CONCERNING A MAID AND A SURCOAT Se Gee Messire Long-Face, you may not shun our company this time as here- tofore. For I have made ready a pudding of dates against your coming, and Master Will hath fetched some rare wine and, what is more, hath saved some of it.” So saying, Ellen took Robert’s sword-belt and shield and pushed a chair forward to the table where supper was spread. “Aye,” growled the archer. ‘Wash, wipe, sit, eat, drink, wipe and depart. ——’s blood, tall brother, dost never loosen thy belt and stretch thy legs under table like a Christian?” He noticed that the girl’s fingers trembled when she placed food and wine before the COMICLOOCkKS. CGO S|