"THE RIDDLE OF SIWA."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 16 (Supplement)

"THE RIDDLE OF SIWA."

BY DiXON KAYE.

CHAPTER 1. .M'PIIEIIKNSION'. "Then ' you think you aro being watched ?" lie asked llio cj u est ion eagerly, with a hungry luok at her beauty. "I am quite certain of it," she answered. "I can ionic to no other conclusion." "Wlfat ai.o your reasons?" ho urged. "1 feel very 'inxious about you." Slit; gave liini a look and a pressure oi the hand, which scut the blood tingling Ihrough his veins. "ion know, of course," she continued, "that father will not allow litu to walk in Cairo'/ I always drive, and I am always accompanied by the dragoman." "Yes, I know that," ho said. "A mouth ago," sho continued, "I noticed for the first time that I was being followed." "By whom?" lie asked quickly, "Whenever .1 stopped at a shop." she nnswoved, "a very fino car would stop, too, hoiun distance off, und a young oflicer would get out ami stroll unconcernedly in iny direction. Ho never attempted to speak to nie, but ho Was there watching me."

"What was tho man liko?" ho askod disgustedly. "Ila was obviously an Egyptian," she answered, "anil woro the uniform of tho King's Bodyguard." Seymour Bat-ham, tho clever young engineer, stamped his foot. "This is intolerable!" ho explained. "What was tho dragoman doing to allow it ?"

"Poor old Ali." she said with a smile, ''tin is far toe old to notice such things, nnd far too sleepy." "Does 11m man follow you still?' Soy* jinoiu' asked. "No; for 111r> last ten days lie has not, Lnt somebody else has.

"Somebody else!'' Seymour exclaimed. "Yes, for some days a woman has followed mo in a fine ear, but not the same one the officer used." "What kind of a woman is she, and how is she dressed?" ho asked. " She is dressed iu tho harem dress," war. tho answer: "tho usual black silk robe and white lace yashmak." Sevnipur gave a groan. "The woman l's worse than the. man !" he exclaimed. "On no account have anything to do with her." "I don't intend to," she answered. "Rut she makes it very awkward for me, as she follows me into tho shops. Sevmour lightly touched her hand. "Eva dear." he said, "why do you not tell your father?" She shook her head. "He has too many worries as it is." she mswerod. . Ido not want, to add to t hem. Ho von know, Seymour," she continued. " splendid as my father's position is here in Cairo, I often wish he had never accepted it." Sho looked away toward tho distant Desert nnd tho Nile, with the beams of tho great Eastern moon shimmering upon it. "But vou are snrolv safe hero in the citadel?" ho asked. "If I thought you were not, t would go to Sir Bertram and nrife him to send you to England. Eva laughed. '• X think father would Lo too astonished to speak," sho answered. "Ho would wonder why you took such an interest in me." Seymour drow closer to her, and gently took her hand. "Eva," ho said, "then why don't you give mo tho right to go and speak to your father? You know you promised that when I got my next step, I could speak to Sir Bertram Manders, and that step is almost accomplished. Only to-day I received orders to go out into tho desert and survey for a new line." . "But you are not going away from Cairo, Seymour?" she asked fearfully. It was Eva now whose face bore the expression of anxiety and apprehension. "I fear I am," he answered. "I shall have to go next week. But. o( course, I can come into Cairo sometimes. "Sometimes'" she repeated woefully. "How oj'ten will that be?" "Perhaps once a fortnight," he swered; "'perhaps only oncc a month." "But eomo as often 09 you can," sho urged, "won't you Seymour?" For answer, he took her in his arms and kissed her. f> "And now we must go back to father, sho said as sho gently disengaged herself. "He will wonder what has became of us, wandering about on theso old walls of tho citadel laic at night." "Lot me speak to your father about our engagement ?" Seymour urged as tliov rose; ho had got her hand again, and his other arm was round her.

She looked up at him with the white Hear moonlight shining full upon lief face, and it gave her beautiful features the look of those of a lovely statue.

" Yes, dear," she answered softly, " speak to him if you so earnestly wish

" I do earnestly wish it," ho added as he slipped his arm through hers and they strolled away toward the big salon of Sir Bertram Manders* quarters in the old palace. They had reached the old time-worn flight* of steps . which led down to the Parade, when Kvo gripped her companion's nrm. "Look, Seymour!" she cried. "Look!"

pointed to a dark patch of shadow, through which a figure was slowly moving. .Tt, was obviously a woman, clothed in a black flowing rcibe. 7t, was evidently her intention to cross a broad path of moonlight falling beyond the shadow in which she walked.

She presently emerged into it. at a quicker pace. She wore a white yashmak, but this was thrown back frtun her face, possibly on account of tho heat of the evening.

Halfway across the stretch of moonlight, she halU'd and looked back, apprehensively, in tho direction of Eva and Seymour. For that brief moment her face vas uncovered and in tho full moonlight. It was tho lace of a dark, beautiful woman. Then, hurrying on, she disappeared into another patch of shadow and became invisible to them; it seemed as it she had vanished into the old wall of the citadel. " Did you see her, Seymour?" Eva aske't" frantically. '• Yes," he answered, " and f wonder how she could have got here. Thcro aro tin harem wrimen in the citadel." Eva stood with her eyes tixod on the spot where the woman had disappeared and her linnd on Seymour's arm. " That is the woman," she said, "who follows mo in tho streets."

Hastily descending the steps. Seymour mid Eva carefully examined tlio wall vlioro the woman had disappeared. There was no of a door, nor of her. Kva threw herself passionately into Seymour's arms, and he held her there, "Save mo, dourest," she cried frantically. " Save mc from that woman!" CI [APT Kit It. THE BHKIK. f'oyiuoiir removed the chibouk from his month after a long silence, and commenced In speak to his companion sitting crosslegged mi the divan by his side. " Ibrahim," he said, " you arc a,sheik of groat experience and trust worthiness.'' 'I he Sheik put out his hands deprocalingly. " Sir," he replied, " I am your boy." (servant.) Seymour laughed. '• I don't think I could afford such an expensive bny—n distinguished sheik cornmiir"li:ig a thousand Arabs!" The bheilt modestly demurred. " Not s<> many," he said, "at first; perhaps a thousand later," Seymour shifted his position and got newer to tho sheik; ho took a sip of tho • thick, black coffeo in tlio littlo cup bofk'l'.v wNfrhim. '•lbrahim-," !he continued. " t havo Ifc to conitt bore to give mo advice 1 •• w ® otx * yary important matter."

A WEIRDLY MYSTERIOUS, BRILLIANT STORY.

(COPYMGIIT.)

She sheik bent his head

Tho sheik bowed his hnndsomo head and listened attentively. With his clean <hit profile and pointed beard with just a touch of brown in it. and hazel eyes, ho could liavo passed easily for a European. " I am deeply in love," proceeded Seymour. " with a very beautiful young ladv."

Ibrahim's ldndly face was all sympathy at the announcement) ho believed in lovo himself.

" [ have no doubt," lu said, using his Arabic imagery, '• that this lady is as beautiful as 0110 of tho wives of tho Fropliet." With a vision of Eva's blue eyes and loveliness before him, Seymour doubted whether Mahomet had ever seen such beaut v.

"" But, Ibrahim," ho continued, " I have asked you to come to this divan and drink a cup of cofi'eo with mo and smoke a pipe, that I may ask your ndvico on a matter of great moment to me." Ibrahim bowed his head and Seymour told him in a few words what he had heard from Eva, concealing her name; of her boing followed in the streets by the man and tho woman, and of tho unaccountable disappearance of the latter within tho walls of 'ho Citadel.

" 'Jell me, sheik," fished soyrnour, " what do you think of it all ?" Ibrahim remained silent for somo moments in deep thought. "Bismallah!" lie exclaimed presently, '• this is a matter of great import. This lady, beautiful as a houri, has inspired lovo in tho breast of soino man, perhaps of great riches, who would rob you of her."

Se\ motif's face lowered as lio listened to him.

"It, will he a had day for (liafc man if he tries to," ho commented.

Tito sheik slightly shrugged his shoulders, but said nothing, Hitting there, cross-legged, among the cushions oil tlio flat', shelf-like seat which ran round the room, the two looked an incongruous pair: tile one, a good type of the modern Englishman, in his khakidrill suit; the other, the embodiment of all that was wild and savage—an Arab chief of the desert.

" You remombcr that day, sheik." continued Seymour, " when wo fast mot in the desert?"

" Remember it!" replied the Arab. "I shall never forget it. You saved my life." " I admit you were in n tight corner," said the Englishman, " with three against you, .but you were holding your own very woll when 1 came up."' Those three bandits," veplied Ibrahim. " would have killed me if they could, and havo buried my body in tiie sand. It was my gold they wanted, which I carried in my belt." " Was it, not unwise of you to travel ilone, with so much money with you ?" Seymour asked.

" One has to fnko risks sometimes," was the answer; " but those villains had followed me—they know that 1 had trcasufo with inc."

" Then it was. perhaps, just as wellthat I turned up," added Seymour. "It was lucky I took that little evening ride from the new railway lino I was building. But I remind you of that incident for this reason: I want your advice concerning tho lady I love; I want you to tell me how best to protect her." She. sheik answered at oncc. " It would bo better for this beautiful lady to leave Cairo and go Lack to her own country." * * Seymour shook his head.

" She will not go," he. answered. " She will not leave her father, Sir Bertram Manders." "Sir Bertram Manders!" exclaimed Ibrahim. " Then she is tho daughter of the great man who lives in the citadel?"

" Yes." tho other replied. " And do you think she is safe in the citadel?"

She sheik answered dubiously. " There are few who know the secrets of the citadel."

" And do you know them ?" Seymour asked.

The sheik looked straight before him " Yes. I know them," he answered.

" And it is possible for you to enter tho citadel without passing the guards?" was the next question. " Yes, very easily," was Ibrahim's reply. " And is there an underground lake beneath tho citadel?" Seymour continued. " Yes, a vast lake, and its waters are an black as thoso within tho dark abode of the accursed Shitan. I, who speak, havo beheld them."

" Then there must bo vast passages beneath tho citadel," commented Seymour.

" Yes, a subterranean city, in which a body of .1 thousand soldiers could be easily hidden," he replied. Seymour lost colour, and a hard look came into his face.

" And in which a. young lady might be hidden and heard of no more?" he asked. "That is so answered the sheik, "And many have so disappeared. No one knows what treasures the underworld of the citadel has held. Nobody knows all the treasures which lie hidden there now. It is said that the Mamelukes hid their treasure there, but as they were all killed in that deep road which lends up to the citadel, the secret of their treasure, died arid lies buried w:th them."

"Has anyone tried t<j find it?" Sev mour asked.

" Many, and many have lost their heads through "it, for the Sultans were very jealous of this hidden treasure, and tho penalty was death to carry off even a trivial article."

" But. promise me one thine, sheik," tho young Englishman urged, " that you will help mo if Miss Manders is in danger, and you will come to her assistance." The sheik laid his hand 011 Seymour's.

" You see those men who have jnsfc ontered tho divan and aro taking their seats?"

" Yea," Seymour answered. " They are just ordering coffee arid pipes, and Mesrour, tlio waiter, is busy about it." " I lielieve those men are liere to watch ns and hear our conversation; wo must ppeak English," said the slieil:, For Ibrahim spoke English like many other Arabs, who> havo lived near sea ports, with great fluency, but lie had had, in addition, the great advantage of three yours at Oxford, where his Arab parents, learning-loving people, had sent him. " I do not boliovo these men understand a word of English," he continued; " so I think wo cam speak in safety." lie, however, lowered his voice. " You asked mo just now," lie said, " to promise you that, should Miss Manders bo in danger, I would help you. Did you not save my life? Is not that sufficient guarantee that I would give my life to save this lady V

The two gripped bauds in true British fashion.

" Yes." added Seymour, " I knew I could rely upon you in the hour of need. 13uf. I trust that hour may never come."

Ah they parted, Seymour to go to tho Turf Club, and the sheik to remain behind, the latter, when alone, went back to the divan on which he, had sat, crossed his lo«s, and sank among tho cushions, his head upon his breast, and his hands clasped before liirnho seemed like one absorbed in deep and poignant thoughts. CHAPTER 111. ENGAGED! Sit' Bertram Mariders turned tho stem of his port glass meditatively between his finger arid thumb. " Yes, Barhaiu," ho said presently, " I know your family very well. I stayed at West oaks soon after your father inherited tho property, but we havo lost, sight of each other for many years now." " I have often heard my father spoak of you," Seymour Barham answered. "Whon t wroto and told him I had proposed to your daughter, lie was delighted." Sir Bertram smiled, and pushed tho cigarn toward his guest. Tho boys wero just bringing in coflea*

" Tho courso of true lovg seems to bo running smoothly in yours and Eva's caso," Sir Bertram continued. " You have a Rood income, and you are tho son of an old friend. I don t think I can offer any valid objection to your engagement."

He held out" his hand, and Seymour gripped it. "You have made us very happy, sir," lie said.

The old man smiled but there were tears in his eyes. " You mako me think," ho Saul, °f the tinto when Eva's mother and I were engaged. Wo had nothing liko such prospoets as you liavo, unci vet wo pulleu through somehow, and—wcro very 1 happy," There was silence i" tho lamp-shaded room for u fow moments, and tho rod fezzes and white robes of tlm boys tnado their appearance once again, with liqueurs. But presently Sir Bertram rose. " Now, I don't want to keep you from Eva," iio said. " I know yon want to go to her and tell her tho result of this interview, don't you ? " Tho old man sank into his arm-chair; lie wanted to dream over a cigar, of his Josl wife, and their engagement years ago when their lovo was young.

Seymour and Eva were sifting hand in hand in tho moonlight on their favourite seat on tho old walls of the citadel. " And aro you satisfied, Seymour, now that wo aro formally engaged to bo married ? " s!io asked.

" I am in a state of tho greatest delight." he answered. "But I shall not bo perfectly happy until we are married." Eva placed a pretty white hand over his mouth as ho was about to kiss her.

" You must bo a good boy," sho said, " and be very patient. Besides," sho added with a* pout, " you aro going to leave mo next week."

Seymour's brow clouded: ho knew that their separation was hanging over them, and ho would have to leave her to tho protection of others. Still ho knew that ho could rely upon the Sheik, Ibrahim, in case of necessity.

" Have von" told Sir Bertram about your Loins followed 111 Cairo? " lio asked. Slie shook her head. " No; I know ho is worried to deuth with his duties here, and 1 don't want to add to his cares; he is not. strong," she said.

There was a pause, and Seymour took her hand again. " Would you mind," he said presently, "if I broke it very gently to him'/ I don't like you going out with only that senile old dragoman to take care of you." She placed her hand on his. " You must trust me," sho said. " T have, been here quite a long time now, and nothing has happened to me. I think I must be a person of strong will."

Seymour smiled back upon her, but it turned him cold to think of how little her strong will would avail against the craft of theso wily Egyptians. But ho knew it was no uso trying to persuade her; for the present, at ally rate. So they dropped tho subject, and presently walked up and down the old walls, whereon perhaps Sultan Suladin had walked with his queen in the ages long ago. So they paced in tho beautiful warm night and the brilliant moonlight, bright as day, talking of their love and their future, and forgetting tho menace which was hanging over them. CHAPTER IV. THE DKSEIIT. Tho illimitable stretch of sand merging in the far distanco into tho horizon, was not a cheering sight on a hot day. Seymour walked along tho train, which was at a standstill near the little station, till he came to the engine. " How long will tho repairs take? " he asked, speaking in Arabic.

Tho black engine driver displayed a fine set of white teeth, and answered in the same language.

" Allah being willing, we may get away in two hours," ho said. Seymour turned awav in disgust. He knew that the two hours might easily stretch into four.

But the red fez of the station master appeared, coming toward them. " I am afraid, Monsieur Barham," he said, using very good French, " that I shall have (o side-track your train. I expect the fast, train to Tort Said in fifteen minutes." " Hero for three or four hours," commented Seymour, " and not a drink on the place." The station-master touched the side of his noso with his forefinger. " Come with mc to my office," he suggested. They mounted tho platform, and saw Seymour's train shunted on to a siding by an obliging engine going the other way; then they moved to the station-master's office.

An electric fan made the room bearable in the heat, and presently a syphon standing in ire, and a bottlo of whisky were produced. " You Fee," remarked the chef, " that we Egyptians are not so outlandish as'we are represented to be. At any rate *t times," he added with a smile.

" This is the pleas.intest thing I have seen since yesterday," remarked Seymour as ho filled his glass at the station-master's request. '' t am absolutely dried up liko the desert."

The other laughed, and pushed a box of cigars toward him. Then, tho Port Said express being disposed of. they settled down for 11 smoko and a chat.

" J suppose you are a bit lonely sometimes, Monsieur Ali ? " Seymour remarked, for he had seen his name over tho door of tho bureau.

All was not dull nt all, for he had his hareru with him, but lie pretended to be, just- to avoid disagreeing with his friend. " Yes," ho said, " there is 110 sport here except an occasional raid of Arabs, and I admit it is dull* but still there aro interesting places in tho neighbourhood." "Indeed?" Seymour replied. "Antiquities '! " " Well, you might call them so," was the reply. " There is a villago not far from here, where there aro people of a very great age. Thcro is a man over a hundred arid twenty years old."

Seymour had heard of such things in Egypt, but ho looked up sharply to sen if the station-master was in earnest. Ho appeared convinced of this. "Almost incredible!" ho exclaimed. " And docs this man retain his intelligence? " " Almost perfectly," All replied. "Ho can discourso of (he coming of N'npolcon to Egypt, and of Mahomet Ali." " liy jove!" cried Seymour, breaking into English, " what a fund of information tlio fnan must have. Is tlio villa go far from here? "

" About a league and a-half," was tho answer.

Seymour looked at the watch on his wrist.

" Whilo this old tank of an engino is being tinkered up." he said, I will walk over and try to find tho centenarian."

" Consider the heat." urged the Stationmaster. "It would bo miwidc to walk. Why not use niy motor-bieyclo if you aro determined to go 1 No doubt you can ride one'! "

" Oli. yes. I can ride one, and many thanks for your kindness. I will be back in no time if you will show me tho road." " There is no road," Ali replied. "You will have to ride across the desert." 110 took him outside and showed him, looking across the desert, what appeared to bo a church steeplo such as are seen in Lincolnshire, but which was really a largo tree. " That-is tho village," ho said. Tho bicycln was brought round; Seymour mounted it, and was away iri a moment. " I will have another iced peg ready for you when you come back," were the last words of tho hospitable Egyptian. (To bo continued on Saturday next.)