THE EASTERNERS. OR MARRIAGE BY PROXY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10469, 6 November 1911, Page 2

THE EASTERNERS. OR MARRIAGE BY PROXY.

'CHAPTER XVll—Continued

"I knew, brethren, that this Shemo is a base, dishonoured peasant, and in the employ of Rotan. But that Shemo would steal our treasure I did not dream. Besides, I turned him over to my servant Sarkis, whose strength and fidelity were not proof against Shemo's cowardly knife. I did not suspect that Shemo knew this money was on board.' "That was easy," said Douglas. "News spreads on shipboard. My crew knew that a valuable treasure was brought here the night we left New York. I had offered you my ship, for _f or —" Here Douglas glanced at Thehna's concerned face, who stood near. "Well. I had nothing bettor to do, and the news of the Balearic's mishap gave you a chance to overtake Madam Rotan. Somehow our plans leaked out. Ifc was inferred that we might go to the Mediterranean, Constantinople—anywhere.' ' "How good you are," whispered Thelma, softly. Donglas looked pleased.

"Well, it would be more convenient to take this money from Stamboul-to Armenia, wouldn't ; it. My interest in you Miss Burian, makes me concerned for your sister, whom I, too, onoe met in London. But along comes this Turk and. pries around, and now our financial cake is all dough, unless—" "Unless we catch the scoundrel," came suddenly from Pavlidis. "And catch him I will, >so help me St. Gregorian." Palmar looked capable of catching anyone just then. Greer shook hands with him saying:

"We ought to be doing something. We' now have a double task—to find Miss Alma"—Sidney would not call her Madam Rotan—"and recover the money. Mustafa may squander some of it—but we will nail him yet—mark my word. Let us get a move on, as we Yankees say."

"I have a plan," said the prince, turning to Douglas. we still count upon your aid, my friend? I .know you will not take any money for pay, and' your reward must be—elsewhere." Here Dalmar looked meditatively at Thelma, who blushed slightly.

"Say no more on that head, Prince Dalmar," remarked Douglas. "I am witih you to the end of this matter. I don't believe in half-way measures in •either war—or—or- —" he glanced fondly at the girl on, as if Ihe would have added 'love' but'-vhe i changed it to 'friendship/., .... '' j "Thanks. I expected no less from a man of your spirit. Will you now 'kindly put yourself and.your ship under my direction for.'a few days."

"Willingly. Only one stipulation. You must let Greer in on this deal—•■■ eh, Sidney?" : ;;-' . . ' ' ''Sure, old, man," declared the Westerner. "I should have butted in, anyhow." ' "Well, messieurs," continued J>almar, who smiled indulgently at this by-play, and speaking in almost perfect French. "I will take M. Greer, yourself ,Jwy} cousin Thelma, together with sufficient luggage. We will immediately go ash6re on a tug that is handy. '. YoV, captain, will give y6ur first officer instructions to coal up .and prodeedvdirect to. the. Mediterranean, stopping for telegrams tat Gibraltar,, There he will receive or wait for further instructions. My brethren here, M. Filian and M. Gorganion, being in real and deep grief, will remain on" board. There and at Malta, they must keep a keen eye on all sojourners. I will give you an address. Any message you may send there will reach me. Come, my children, leave off sighing. Now is the time for .action."

"Yea,,verily, little father. , We will obey thee, for art not thou our lawful prince?"

. "Probably Abdul Hamid or his minion, Rotan, would gainsay thee."

Dal mar had reverted to his country tongue, but. he smilingly bade his depressed friends be of good cheer, and turned to the others. , He was smiling bright and eager, exhibiting to those .around a sense of power in reserve. . i Presently the two mourners, who were cheered, by Dalmar's cheerful words arid encouragement, rose up, re-arranged their garb, land withdrew with him to consult more lengthily in private. Meanwhile Captain Douglas was conferring with his chief officer. Presently the prince came out and placed on the table a Bank of England draft. ' "Take that, captain," lie said. "I

OUR 6&RLAL

BY WILXIAM PEERi bttUWN

have reserved a fund for our imrnediti> necessities. You must let me at least i-haro in the cost of maintaining your yacht on this cruise. Your first mate can secure the cash at any bank in Liverpool." But Douglas, a very wealthy man, absolutely, refused to touch a shilling of the Armeniaus funds. He drew Dalmar aside.

"I am not doing this for money's sake, but for love. Don't you understand?"

Dalmar's eyo fell upon Thelma, who was packing,a bag; then he looked at the Englishman. "I say nothing now about that," he replied. "But this search, if you stay in it, may lead you into dangerous places, even where strife and death, even torture and imprisonment, abide. Think well " * "I nave reflected on this watter. I say put up your draft.The tug is along now. Let us be moving as soon as possible." Shortly' after this they boarded the tug, taking with, them the first officer of the Mist. The two Armenians wept again at parting with their chief; for, aside from watching the treasure they had relied on him solely. To them the safety of the treasure was a secondary consideration. Two fair faces filled their imagination. Armenia's fate had thus narrowed itself to their eyes. They were determined to endure all things in order at last to possess the object of their heart's devotion. After landing at one of the floating stages along the docks, tihey proceeded up the street toward a cab stand, when Bland the first officer, whispered to Captain Douglas: "Please wait for me here a moment, sir. It is important." Then ho suddenly dived into a shabby public house, that, viewed from the windows and doors, seemed to swarm with sailors.

A SAILOR TRAPPED

CHAPTER XVIH

Though, greatly surprised, Douglas turned to ihis friends. "We can wait by the cab stand," he said. "I don't know what Bland meant, but he generally has good reasons for what he does." . Presently they saw Bland apnear at one of the doors of the tavern and beckon vigorously. Douglas felt Thelma's 'handc inside his arm tighten a little. The appeal was understood. "SidneyfV he called, "won't you and M. Pavlidis see what Bland want a I will pick out a good fourwheeler and Sarkis will put in the luggage." According ly the twA hurried across to Bland, who at times glanced anxiously inside. Seafaring men of various sorts were passing in and out. The mate,, beckoned again, saying:

"Please hurry, gentlemen. The chap is too drunk to recognise me, but I am afraid he may give its the slip."

They looked inside. A dozen or more sailors were standing qr seated about, drinking, laughing and talking, making a convivial uproar. Bland indicated a man seated on a high stool at one end of the bar. The fellow was nodding, yet now and then looking up with a sharp glance as if memory, contending with liquor, would for a moment make him half master of himself.

"Xt is tho sentry of last night," instantly whispered Dalmar. "Let us withdraw behind these drinkers, lest he should recognise me." J "Shall I send for a policeman?" queried Bland. /

"No—no policeman—yet. Ah! I have it, M. Bland". Will you have the great kindness to ask my servant Sarins to come at once."

Bland vanished. Suddenly the intoxicated sailor reeled from his stool, straightened up and looked about 'him as if to reassure himself where he was. Then he made a. rambling dive for one of the doors: He passed within three feet of Dalmar and Sidney Greer, yet without seeing either.

"He's the very chap that released Mustafa,'! whispered Greer, seize the fellow. "Are you going to let'him go?" "Wo will follow cautiously, monsiour. I hope Sarkis and Bland will keep out of his sight for a. few moments."

'die sailor staggered down the side street. Bland, the gigantic Armenian, saw him, but cam©'tip cautiously. (To be Continued.)