Volume I Part 73 (2/2)

His walk betrayed the Parisian boulevardier, and the re confirmed the opinion When he passed the marabout he cried aloud in French:

”You old fool, you, what are you staring at? You don't want ly face, do you?”

The marabout, who did not understand French, looked at hi

The stranger looked sharply at Albert, and said:

”Captain, by all the saints, you must not die”

”What?” exclaimed Albert, surprised, ”it was you who--”

”Yes, I, Gratillet, journalist, Beauchamp's friend and your friend,”

continued Gratillet ”Captain, we ht be too late”

Albert was encouraged by the journalist's words, and began to hope But just then a wild tuhans in hand, rushed upon the three nearest prisoners, and literally chopped theht and left Only a few prisoners still re theazed at the massacre and the pools of blood which already threatened to reach his feet

Gratillet now fell No shot had struck him Horror had no doubt put an end to the poor fellow's life

Before Albert had tier of his situation, the scene changed as if by ic The sheik and his subjects, followed by the marabout, took to their horses and suddenly disappeared None of theht of their principal victiuess the riddle

Darkness set in, and by the dying rays of the sun Albert saw a cavalcade cola At the head of the procession rode a tall reen turban denoted that the wearer had e to Mecca, for only those who visit the Kaaba have the right to decorate themselves with the sacred emblem

Who could this reen turban appeared to hi rescue

The one a year, and his return had been the signal for the revolt to break out All the prisoners that were taken he had ordered to be confined until his return frory when he heard that the prisoners had been massacred

”Unfaithful, traitorous people!” he exclaila

”Who told you to disobey ed pitifully for mercy

”Allah de prisoner, who is waiting in front of the mosque, for the sentence”

The sheik departed, and soon returned with Spero, as tightly bound

The lad was pale, but courage shone from his dark eyes

”Come nearer,” said Maldar, ”and tell ht?” asked Spero, folding his arht of the strong, and with the right to punish you for the sins of your country What is your name?”

”Spero”

”Spero means hope Tell me now the name of your father?”