Part 35 (1/2)

Deigning no glance to Soar nor to Hilton, he paced into the room, pa.s.sing me and ignoring Carneta, where Earl Dexter awaited him.

I shall never forget the scene as Ha.s.san entered, to stand looking with blazing eyes at The Stetson Man, who sat beside the fire with the slipper of Mohammed in his hand!

”Ha.s.san,” said Dexter quietly, ”Mr. Cavanagh has had to promise you safe conduct, or as sure as G.o.d made me, I'd put a bullet in you!”

The Sheikh of the Has.h.i.+s.h.i.+n glared fixedly at him.

”Companion of the evil one,” he said, ”it is not written that I shall die by your hand--or by the hand of any here. But it has been revealed to me that to-night the gates of Paradise may be closed in my face.”

”I shouldn't be at all surprised,” drawled Dexter. ”But it's up to you. You've got to swear by Mohammed--”

”Salla-'llahu 'aleyhi wasellem!”

”That you won't lay a hand upon any living soul, or allow any of your followers to do so, who has touched the slipper or had anything to do with it, but that you will go in peace.”

”You are doomed to die!”

”You don't agree, then?”

”Those who have offended must suffer the penalty!”