Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 146 No. 4 — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

a ot es + _ * He has qualities,” admitted Spence, and told of his meeting with the famous Ripper- ‘da. “ From the note we captured we can “guess that this Gholam Mahmoud means to assassinate Mulai Ali, if possible. I find that from here we must go to Udjde, passing the Cisterns on the way. We may have ‘trouble there, but we shall have to see what Mulai Ali decides.” - It was afternoon when the messengers returned. Barbarroja bowed grandly to the girl, twirled his mustache, and delivered himself of his report. Mulai Ali and his ‘party were waiting outside the city for Spence. The American turned to the girl. “ How soon can you leave?” “Now.” Smiling she reached for her white burnoose. “Then I’ll have the horses saddled at once.”’ Fifteen minutes later they rode out of Tlemcen by the north gate, unquestioned. For an hour they cantered easily through a fertile champaign, more than once meeting parties of soldiery, wild, uncouth, moun- taineers of the west, who exchanged a sulky marhaba with Barbarroja and passed on. ‘At length they came to their companions, who were camped in a grove of trees beside a rivulet. Dr. Shaw came forth to meet them, anx- iety and delight in his countenance. Laugh- ing, Spence swung from the saddle, and then presented his astonished friend to Mis- tress Betty. “ Dr. Shaw is entirely unaware of your story,” he concluded, “so I shall leave him with you for explanations while I speak with our leader.” . He swung off to join Mulai Ali. Look- ‘mg back, he saw the divine helping Mis- tress Betty to dismount, and chuckled at ‘the expression on his friend’s face. _ Mulai Ali was sucking at a water pipe that bubbled and hissed like a lading camel under a wide tree. Spence made a brief report of their journey, and handed over th Rpote which he-had captured. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. <9 “ Great is God, and infinite; God, Go and God, the compassionate!” ime Mulai Ali after a little silence. dereth all things; before him.” “True enough,” said Spence. “I sup pose you left Arzew before our flight was discovered?” Mulai Ali nodded. “ Although, as AHah knows, I had noth- ing to do with the escape of his astrologer, Hassan will suspect and send after us. We must ride on. We cannot avoid the Cis- terns if we are to reach Udjde. Since we cannot go back, we must go forward.” The Moor was silent again, evidently pondering some plan. At length Mulai Ali smiled. “Here is the situation. This accursed Gholam Mahmoud will ambush me at the Cisterns, being charged with my death. Let him do it, and Allah upon him. Where Ripperda is no man knows; he is like a flea—he may be in Tlemcen to-morrow! But the danger is directed against me. You and the others have nothing to fear. The ambush will not be set against you. ‘‘ Therefore, all of you ride forward, tak- ing Barbarroja and two of the Spahis. Ride to Udjde; the governor is my kins- man, and I will give you a letter to him. Tell him that I shall remain at the Cis- terns, awaiting help from him. The Spahis will go with me, following you slowly. There are ancient ruins at the Cisterns, and we can easily defend ourselves there until help comes from Udjde. You understand?” Spence nodded. This plan assured Mis tress Betty a modicum of risk, and suited him well. “The leather box is safe?” “Ves. Will you not take and keep it yourself, now—” “No! The relics of the Moorish kings in that box will swing every chieftain in Morocco behind me. The copies of secret — Spanish treaties aresinvaluable. The casket is safer with you; the stars clare that “He : the waysof men are plain