The Quest of the Sacred Slipper (1919)

7/31/2019 The Quest of the Sacred Slipper (1919)

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TheQuestoftheSacredSlipper

bySaxRohmer

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TheQuestoftheSacredSlipper

bySaxRohmer

CONTENTS

I.THEPHANTOMSCIMITAR.


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II.THEGIRLWITHTHEVIOLETEYES

III."HASSANOFALEPPO".

IV.THEOBLONGBOX

V.THEOCCUPANTOFTHEBOX

VI.THERINGOFTHEPROPHET.

VII.FIRSTATTEMPTONTHESAFE

VIII.THEVIOLETEYESAGAIN

IX.SECONDATTEMPTONTHESAFE

X.ATTHEBRITISHANTIQUARIANMUSEUM

XI.THEHOLEINTHEBLIND

XII.THEHASHISHINWATCH

XIII.THEWHITEBEAM

XIV.ASCREAMINTHENIGHT

XV.ASHRIVELLEDHAND

XVI.THEDWARF

XVII.THEWOMANWITHTHEBASKET

XVIII.WHATCAMETHROUGHTHEWINDOWXIX.ARAPPINGATMIDNIGHTXX.THEGOLDENPAVILION

XXI.THEBLACKTUBEXXII.THELIGHTOFEL-MEDINEH

XXIII.THETHREEMESSAGESXXIV.IKEEPTHEAPPOINTMENTXXV.THEWATCHERINBANKCHAMBERS

XXVI.THESTRONG-ROOM

XXVII.THESLIPPER

XXVIII.CARNETA

XXIX.WEMEETMR.ISAACS

XXX.ATTHEGATEHOUSE

XXXI.THEPOOLOFDEATH


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XXXII.SIXPATCHESXXXIII.HOWWEWEREREENFORCED

XXXIV.MYLASTMEETINGWITHHASSANOFALEPPO

THEQUESTOFTHESACREDSLIPPER

CHAPTERI

THEPHANTOMSCIMITAR

IwasnottheonlypassengeraboardtheS.S.Mandalaywhoperceivedthedisturbanceandwonderedwhatitmightportendandfromwhenceproceed.AgoodlynumberofpassengerswerejoiningtheshipatPortSaid.Iwasloungingagainsttherail,pipeinmouth,lazilywondering,withalargevagueness.

Whataheterogeneousrabbleitwas!-abrightlycolouredrabble,butthecoloursallweredirty,likethetownandthecanal.Onlytheskywasclean;theskyandthehard,mercilesssunlightwhichsparednothingoftheuncleanness,anddefiedoneeventothinkofthetermdeartotourists,"picturesque."Iwasinthatkindofmood.Allthenativesappearedtobepockmarked;alltheEuropeansgreasywithperspiration.

Butwhatwasthestirabout?

Iturnedtothedark,bespectacledyoungmanwholeanedupontherailbesideme.FromthefirstIhadtakentoMr.AhmadAhmadeen.

"Thereissomekindofundercurrentofexcitementamongthenatives,"Isaid,"asortofsubduedGreekchorusisaudible.What'sitallabout?"

Mr.Ahmadeensmiled.Afteragauntfashion,hewasahandsomemanandhadapleasantsmile.

"Probably,"hereplied,"somelocalcelebrityisjoiningtheship."

Istaredathimcuriously.

"Anyideawhoheis?"(Thesoulofthecopyhunterisarestless

soul.)

Agroupofmendressedinsemi-Europeanfashion-thatis,inEuropeanfashionsavefortheirturbans,whichweregreen-passedclosetousalongthedeck.

Ahmadeenappearednottohaveheardthequestion.

Thedisturbance,whichcouldonlybedefinedasasubdueduproar,butcouldbetracedtonoparticularindividualorgroup,grew


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momentarilylouder-anddiedaway.Itwasonlywhenithadcompletelyceasedthatonerealizedhowpronouncedithadbeen-howaltogetherpeculiar,secret;likethatincomprehensiblemurmuringinabazaarwhen,unknowntotheinsularvisitor,areputedsaintispresent.

Thenithappened;theinexplicableincidentwhich,thoughIknewitnot,heraldedthecomingofstrangethings,andthedawnofanewpower;whichshouldsetupitssecretstandardsinEngland,whichshouldfloodEuropeandthecivilizedworldwithwonder.

Ashrillscreammarkedtheoverture-ascreamoffearandofpain,whichdroppedtoagroan,andmoanedoutintothesilenceofwhichitwasthecause.

"MyGod!what'sthat?"

Istartedforward.Therewasageneralcrowdingrush,andadarklytannedandbeardedmancameonboard,carryingabrownleathercase.Behindhimsurgedthosewhoborethevictim.

"It'soneofthelascars!"

"No-anEgyptian!"

"Itwasaporter-?"

"Whatisit-?"

"Someonebeenstabbed!"

"Where'sthedoctor?"

"Standawaythere,ifyouplease!"

Thatwasaship'sofficer;andthevoiceofauthorityservedtoquellthedisturbance.Throughalanewalledwithcraningheads

theyboretheinsensibleman.Ahmadeenwasatmyelbow.

"ACopt,"hesaidsoftly."Poordevil!"Iturnedtohim.Therewasaqueerexpressiononhislean,clean-shaven,bronzeface.

"GoodGod!"Isaid."Hishandhasbeencutoff!"

Thatwasthefactofthematter.Andnooneknewwhowasresponsiblefortheatrocity.Andnooneknewwhathadbecomeoftheseveredhand!Iwastednotamomentinlinkingupthestory.Thepressmanwithinmeactedautomatically.

"Thegentlemanjustcomeaboard,sir,"saidasteward,"isProfessor

Deeping.ThepoorbeggarwhowasassaultedwascarryingsomeoftheProfessor'sbaggage.Thewholeincidentstruckmeasmostodd.Therewasanidealurkinginmymindthatsomethingelse-somethingmore-laybehindallthis.WithimpatienceIawaitedthetimewhentheinjuredman,havingreceivedmedicalattention,wasconveyedashore,andProfessorDeepingreappeared.TothecelebratedtravellerandOrientalscholarIintroducedmyself.

Hewassingularlyreticent.


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"Iwasunabletoseewhattookplace,Mr.Cavanagh,"hesaid."Thepoorfellowwasbehindme,forIhadsteppedfromtheboataheadofhim.Ihadjusttakenabagfromhishand,buthewascarryinganother,heavierone.Itisacleancut,likethatofascimitar.IhaveseenverysimilarwoundsinthecasesofmenwhohavesufferedtheoldMoslempenaltyfortheft."

NothingfurtherhadcometolightwhentheMandalayleft,butIfoundnewmatterforcuriosityinthebehaviouroftheMoslempartywhohadcomeonboardatPortSaid.

InconversationwithMr.Bell,thechiefofficer,Ilearnedthatthesupposedleaderofthepartywasone,Mr.Azraeel."Obviously,"saidBell,"nothisrealnameornotallit.Idon'tsupposethey'llshowthemselvesondeck;they'vegottheirownservantswiththem,andseemtobepeopleofconsequence."

Thisconversationwasinterrupted,butIfoundmyunseenfellowvoyagerspeculiarlyinterestingandpursuedinquiriesinotherdirections.Isawmembersofthedistinguishedtravellers'retinuegoingabouttheirduties,butneverobtainedaglimpseofMr.Azraeelnorofanyofhisgreen-turbanedcompanions.

"WhoisMr.Azraeel?"IaskedAhmadeen.

"Icannotsay,"repliedtheEgyptian,andabruptlychangedthesubject.

Somecuriousaromaofmysteryfloatedabouttheship.Ahmadeenconveyedtometheideathathewasconcealingsomething.Then,onenight,Mr.Bellinvitedmetostepforwardwithhim.

"Listen,"hesaid.

>Fromsomewhereinthefo'c'sleproceededlowchanting.

"Hearit?"

"Yes.Whatthedevilisit?"

"It'sthelascars,"saidBell."TheyhavebeenbehavinginamostunusualmannereversincethemysteriousMr.Azraeeljoinedus.Imaybewronginassociatingthetwothings,butIshan'tbesorrytoseethelastofourmysteriouspassengers."

ThenexthappeningonboardtheMandalaywhichIhavetorecordwastheattempttobreakopenthedoorofProfessorDeeping'sstateroom.Exceptwhenhewasactuallywithin,theProfessorlefthisroomdoorreligiouslylocked.

Hemadelightoftheaffair,butlatertookmeasideandtoldmeacuriousstoryofanapparitionwhichhadappearedtohim.

"Itwasacrescentoflight,"hesaid,"anditglitteredthroughthedarknesstheretotheleftasIlayinmyberth."

"Areflectionfromsomethingonthedeck?"Deepingsmiled,uneasily.


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"Possibly,"hereplied;"butitwasverysharplydefined.Likethebladeofascimitar,"headded.

Istaredathim,mycuriositykeenlyaroused."Doesanyexplanationsuggestitselftoyou?"Isaid.

"Well,"heconfessed,"Ihaveatheory,Iwilladmit;butitisrathergoingbacktotheMiddleAges.Yousee,IhavelivedintheEastalot;perhapsIhaveassimilatedsomeoftheirsuperstitions."

Hewasoddlyreticent,asever.Ifeltconvincedthathewaskeepingsomethingback.IcouldnotstifletheimpressionthatthecluetothesemysterieslaysomewherearoundtheinvisibleMohammedanparty.

"Doyouknow,"saidBelltome,onemorning,"thistrip'sgivingmethecreeps.Ibelievethedamnedship'shaunted!Threebellsinthemiddlewatchlastnight,I'llswearIsawsomeblackanimalcrawlingalongthedeck,inthedirectionoftheforwardcompanion-way."

"Cat?"Isuggested.

"Nothinglikeit,"saidMr.Bell."Mr.Cavanagh,itwassomeuncannything!I'mafraidIcan'texplainquitewhatImean,but

itwassomethingIwantedtoshoot!"

"Wherediditgo?"

Thechiefofficershruggedhisshoulders."Justvanished,"hesaid."IhopeIdon'tseeitagain."

AtTilburytheMohammedanpartywentashoreinabody.Amongthemwereveiledwomen.TheycontrivedsotosurroundacentralfigurethatIentirelyfailedtogetaglimpseofthemysteriousMr.Azraeel.Ahmadeenwasstandingclosebythecompanion-way,andIhadamomentaryimpressionthatoneofthewomenslippedsomethingintohishand.Certainly,hestarted;andhisduskyfaceseemedto

pale.

ThenadeckstewardcameoutofDeeping'sstateroom,carryingthebrownbagwhichtheProfessorhadbroughtaboardatPortSaid.Deeping'svoicecame:

"Hi,myman!Letmetakethatbag!"

Thebagchangedhands.Fiveminuteslater,asIwaspreparingtogoashore,aroseahorridscreamabovetheberthingclamour.Thosepassengersyetaboardmadeinthedirectionfromwhichthescreamhadproceeded.

Asteward-theonetowhomProfessorDeepinghadspoken-laywrithingatthefootofthestairsleadingtothesaloon-deck.Hisrighthandhadbeenseveredabovethewrist!

CHAPTERII

THEGIRLWITHTHEVIOLETEYES


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Duringthenextdayortwomymindconstantlyrevertedtotheincidentsofthevoyagehome.IwasperfectlyconvincedthatthecurtainhadbeenpartiallyraiseduponsomefantasyinwhichProfessorDeepingfigured.

ButIhadseennomoreofDeepingnorhadIheardfromhim,whenabruptlyIfoundmyselfplungedagainintotheveryvortexofhistroubledaffairs.Iwashalfwaythroughalongarticle,Iremember,uponthemysteryoftheoutrageatthedocks.Thepoorstewardwhosehandhadbeenseveredlayinaprecariouscondition,butthepolicehadutterlyfailedtotracetheculprit.

Ihadlaiddownmypentorelightmypipe(thehourwasabouttenatnight)whenafaintsoundfromthedirectionoftheoutsidedoorattractedmyattention.Somethinghadbeenthrustthroughtheletter-box.

"Acircular,"Ithought,whenthebellrangloudly,imperatively.

Iwenttothedoor.Asquareenvelopelayuponthemat-acuriousenvelope,paleamethystincolour.Pickingitup,Ifoundittobearmyname-writtensimply-

"Mr.Cavanagh."

TearingitopenIglancedatthecontents.Ithrewopenthedoor.Noonewasvisibleuponthelanding,butwhenIleanedoverthebanisterawhite-cladfigurewascrossingthehall,below.

Withouthesitation,hatless,Iraceddownthestairs.AsIcrossedthedimlylightedhallandcameoutintothepeacefultwilightofthecourt,myelusivevisitorglidedunderthearchwayopposite.

JustwherethedarkandnarrowpassageopenedontoFleetStreetIovertookher-agirlcloselyveiledandwrappedinalongcoat

ofwhiteermine.

"Madam,"Isaid.

Sheturnedaffrightedly.

"Pleasedonotdetainme!"Heraccentwaspuzzling,butpleasing.Sheglancedapprehensivelyabouther.

Youhaveseenthemoonthroughamist?-andknownitforwhatitwasinspiteofitsveiling?So,now,throughthecloudyfoldsoftheveil,Isawthestranger'seyes,andknewthemforthemostbeautifuleyesIhadeverseen,hadeverdreamtof.

"Butyoumustexplainthemeaningofyournote!"

"Icannot!Icannot!Pleasedonotaskme!"

Shewasbreathlessfromherflightandseemedtobetrembling.>Frombehindthecloudhereyesshonebrilliantly,mysteriously.

Iwassorelypuzzled.Thewholeincidentwasbizarre-indeed,ithadinitsomethingoftheuncanny.YetIcouldnotdetainthegirl


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againstherwill.Thatshewentinapprehensionofsomething,ofsomeone,wasevident.

PasttheheadofthepassagesurgedthenoisyrealitiesofFleetStreet.Therewerementhereinquestofnews;menwhowouldhavegivenmuchforsuchastoryasthisinwhichIwasbecomingentangled.Yetastorymoretantalizinglyincompletecouldnotwellbeimagined.

IknewthatIstooduponthemarginofanarenawhereinstrangeadversarieswarredtoastrangeend.Butamistwasoverall.Here,besideme,wasonewhocoulddispersethemist-andwouldnot.Heroneanxietyseemedtobetoescape.

Suddenlysheraisedherveil;andIlookedfullyintotheonlyreallyvioleteyesIhadeverbeheld.Mentally,Istarted.Forthefaceframedinthesnowyfurwasthemostbewitchinglylovelyimaginable.Onerebelliouslockofwonderfulhairsweptacrossthewhitebrow.Itwasbrownhair,withanincomprehensiblesheeninthehighlightsthatsuggestedtheheartofablood-redrose.

"Oh,"shecried,"promisemethatyouwillneverbreatheawordtoanyoneaboutmyvisit!"

"Ipromisewillingly,"Isaid;"butcanyougivemenohint?"

"Honestly,truly,Icannot,darenot,saymore!OnlypromisethatyouwilldoasIask!"

SinceIcouldperceivenoalternative-

"Iwilldoso,"Ireplied.

"Thankyou-oh,thankyou!"shesaid;anddroppingherveilagainshewalkedrapidlyawayfromme,whispering,"Irelyuponyou.Donotfailme.Good-bye!"

Herconspicuouswhitefigurejoinedthehurryingthrongsuponthepavementbeyond.Mycuriositybrookednorestraint.Ihurriedtotheendofthecourtway.Shewascrossingtheroad.Fromtheshadowswherehehadlurked,amancameforwardtomeether.AvehicleobstructedtheviewereIcouldconfirmmyimpression;andwhenithadpassed,neithermylovelyvisitornorhercompanionwereanywhereinsight.

But,unlesssomeaccidentoflightandshadehaddeceivedme,themanwhohadwaitedwasAhmadAhmadeen!

Itseemedthatsomeastralsluice-gatewasraised;adreadfulsense

offorebodingforthefirsttimefloodedmymind.Whilstthegirlhadstoodbeforemeithadbeendifferent-themysteriouscharmofherpersonalityhadswampedallelse.Butnow,themessengergone,itwasthepurportofhermessagewhichassumedsupremesignificance.

Writteninodd,squarehandwritinguponthepaleamethystpaper,thiswasthemessage-

PrevailuponProfessorDeepingtoplacewhathehasinthebrowncaseintheporchofhishouseto-night.Ifhefailstodoso,


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nopoweronearthcansavehimfromtheScimitarofHassan.

AFRIEND.

CHAPTERIII

"HASSANOFALEPP0"

ProfessorDeeping'snumberwasinthetelephonedirectory,therefore,onreturningtomyroom,wheretherestilllingeredthefaintperfumeofmylatevisitorspresence,Iaskedforhisnumber.Heprovedtobeathome.

"Strangeyoushouldringmeup,Cavanagh,"hesaid;"forIwasabouttoringyouup."

"First,"Ireplied,"listentothecontentsofananonymousletterwhichIhavereceived."

(Iremembered,andonlyjustintime,mypromisetotheveiledmessenger.)

"Tome,"Iadded,havingreadhimthenote,"itseemstomeannothing.ItakeitthatyouunderstandbetterthanIdo."

"Iunderstandverywell,Cavanagh!"hereplied."YouwillrecallmystoryofthescimitarwhichflashedbeforemeinthedarknessofmystateroomontheMandalay?Well,Ihaveseenitagain!Iamnotanimaginativeman:Ihadalwaysbelievedmyselftopossessthescientificmind;butIcannolongerdoubtthatIamtheobjectofapursuitwhichcommencedinMecca!Thehappeningsonthesteamerpreparedmeforthis,inadegree.WhenthemanlosthishandatPortSaidIdoubted.Ihadsupposedthedaysofsuchthingspast.Theattempttobreakintomystateroomevenleftmestill

uncertain.Buttheoutrageuponthestewardatthedocksremovedallfurtherdoubt.Iperceivedthatthecontentsofacertainbrownleathercaseweretheobjectiveofthecrimes.

Ilistenedingrowingwonder.

"Itwasnotnecessaryinordertofurthertheplanofstealingthebagthatthehandsweresevered,"resumedtheProfessor."Infact,aswasrenderedevidentbythecaseofthesteward,thiswasapenaltyvisiteduponanyonewhotouchedit!Youarethinkingofmyownimmunity?"

"Iam!"

"Thisisattributabletotwothings.ThosewhosoughttorecoverwhatIhadinthecasefearedthatmydeathenroutemightresultinitsbeinglosttothemforever.Theyawaitedasuitableopportunity.TheyhaddesignedtotakeitatPortSaidcertainly,Ithink;butthebagwastoolargetobereadilyconcealed,and,aftertheoutrage,mighthaveledtothediscoveryoftheculprit.Inthesecondplace,theyareuncertainofmyfaith.IhavelongpassedforatrueBelieverintheEast!AsaMoslemIvisitedMecca-"


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"YouvisitedMecca!"

"IhadjustreturnedfromthehadjwhenIjoinedtheMandalayatPortSaid!Mydeath,however,hasbeendeterminedupon,whetherIbeMoslemorChristian!"

"Why?"

"Because,"cametheProfessor'sharshvoiceoverthetelephone,"ofthecontentsofthebrownleathercase!Iwillnotdivulgetoyounowthenatureofthesecontents;toknowmightendangeryou.Butthecaseislockedinmysafehere,andthekey,togetherwithafullstatementofthetruefactsofthematter,ishiddenbehindthefirsteditioncopyofmybook'AssyrianMythology,'inthesmallerbookcase-"

"Whydoyoutellmeallthis?"Iinterrupted.

Helaughedharshly.

"Theidentityofmypursuerhasjustdawneduponme,"hesaid."Iknowthatmylifeisinrealdanger.Iwouldgiveupwhatisdemandedofme,butIbelieveitspossessiontobemystrongest

safeguard."

Mysteryuponmystery!Iseemedtobegettingnonearertotheheartofthismaze.Whatinheaven'snamediditallmean?Suddenlyanideastruckme.

"Isourlatefellowpassenger,Mr.Ahmadeen,connectedwiththematter?"Iasked.

"Innoway,"repliedDeepingearnestly."Mr.Ahmadeenis,Ibelieve,apersonofsomeconsequenceintheMoslemworld;butIhavenothingtofearfromhim."

"Whatstepshaveyoutakentoprotectyourself?"

Againtheshortlaughreachedmyears.

"I'mafraidlongresidenceintheEasthasrenderedmesomethingofafatalist,Cavanagh!Beyondkeepingmydoorlocked,Ihavetakennostepswhatever.IfearIamquiteaccessible!"

Awhilelongerwetalked;andwitheverywordtheconvictionwasmorestronglyborneinuponmethatsomeuncannymenacethreatenedthepeace,perhapsthelife,ofProfessorDeeping.

Ihadhungupthereceiverscarceamomentwhen,actingupona

suddendetermination,IcalledupNewScotlandYard,andaskedforDetective-InspectorBristol,whomIknewwell.Afewwordsweresufficientkeenlytoarousehiscuriosity,andheannouncedhisintentionofcallinguponmeimmediately.Hewasinchargeofthecaseoftheseveredhand.

Imadenoattempttoresumeworkintheintervalprecedinghisarrival.Ihadnotlongtowait,however,ereBristolwasringingmybell;andIhurriedtothedoor,onlytoogladtoconfideinonesowellequippedtoanalyzemydoubtsandfears.ForBristolisno


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ordinarypoliceman,butatrainedobserver,who,whenIfirstmadehisacquaintance,completelyupsetmyideasuponthementallimitationsoftheofficialdetectiveforce.

InappearanceBristolsuggestsanAnglo-Indianofficer,andatthetimeofwhichIwritehehadrecentlyreturnedfromJamaicaandhisfacewasasbronzedasasailor's.OnewouldnevertakeBristolforadetective.Asheseatedhimselfinthearmchair,withoutpreambleIplungedintomystory.Helistenedgravely.

"WhatsortofhouseisProfessorDeeping's?"heaskedsuddenly.

"Ihavenoidea,"Ireplied,"beyondthefactthatitissomewhereinDulwich."

"MayIuseyourtelephone?"

"Certainly."

VeryquicklyBristolgotintocommunicationwiththesuperintendentofPDivision.Abriefdelay,andthemancametothetelephonewhosebeatincludedtheroadwhereinProfessorDeeping'shousewassituated.

"Why!"saidBristol,hangingupthereceiveraftermakinganumberofinquiries,"it'sasortoframblingcottageinextensivegrounds.There'sonlyoneservant,amanservant,andhesleepsinadetachedlodge.IftheProfessorisreallyindangerofattackhecouldnotwellhavechosenamorelikelyresidenceforthepurpose!"

"Whatshallyoudo?Whatdoyoumakeofitall?"

"AsIseethecase,"hesaidslowly,"itstandssomethinglikethis:ProfessorDeepinghas..."

Thetelephonebellbegantoring.

Itookupthereceiver.

"Hullo!Hullo."

"Cavanagh!-isthatCavanagh?"

"Yes!yes!whoisthat?"

"Deeping!Ihaverungupthepolice,andtheyaresendingsomeone.ButIwish..."

Hisvoicetrailedoff.Thesoundofaconfusedandsingularuproarcametome.

"Hullo!"Icried."Hullo!"

Ashriek-adeathful,horrifyingcry-andadistantbabblingaloneansweredme.Therewasacrash.Clearly,Deepinghaddroppedthereceiver.Isupposemyfaceblanched.

"Whatisit?"askedBristolanxiously.

"Godknowswhatitis!"Isaid."Deepinghasmetwithsome


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mishap-"

When,overthewires-

"HassanofAleppo!"cameadyingwhisper."Hassan...ofAleppo..."

CHAPTERIV

THEOBLONGBOX

Youhadbetterwaitforus,"saidBristoltothetaxi-man.

"Verygood,sir.ButIshan'tbeabletotakeyoufurtherbackthantheBrixtonGarage.Youcangetanothercabthere,though."

Aclockchimedout-anold-worldchimeinkeepingwiththeloneliness,thecuriouslyremoteloneliness,ofthelocality.LessthanfivemilesfromSt.Paul'sarespotswhereto,withthepersistenceofDamascusattar,clingsthearomaofformerdays.Thisirongatewayfrontingtheoldchapelwassuchaspot.

Justwithinstoodaplain-clothesman,whosalutedmycompanionrespectfully.

"ProfessorDeeping,"Ibegan.

Theman,withasimplegesture,conveyedthedreadfulnews.

"Dead!dead!"Icriedincredulously.

HeglancedatBristol.

"ThemostmysteriouscaseIhaveeverhadanythingtodowith,

sir,"hesaid.

Thepowerofspeechseemedtodesertme.ItwasunthinkablethatDeeping,withwhomIhadbeenspeakinglessthananhourago,shouldnowbenomore;thatsomemalignagencyshouldthusmurderouslyhavethrusthimintothegreatborderland.

Inthatkindofsilencewhichseemstobepeopledwithwhisperingspiritswestrodeforwardalongtheelmavenue.Itwasverydarkwherethemoonfailedtopenetrate.Thehouse,lowandrambling,cameintoview,itsfacadebathedinsilverlight.Twoofthevisiblewindowswereilluminated.Asortofloggiaranalongoneside.

Onourleft,aswemadeforthis,layablackoceanofshrubbery.Itintruded,raggedly,upontheweed-grownpath,forneglectwasthekeynoteoftheplace.

Weenteredthecottage,crossedthetinylobby,andcametothestudy.Aman,evidentlyDeeping'sservant,wassittinginachairbythedoor,hisheadsunkeninhishands.Helookedup,haggard-faced.


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"MyGod!myGod!"hegroaned."Hewaslockedin,gentlemen!Hewaslockedin;andyetsomethingmurderedhim!"

"Whatdoyoumean?"saidBristol."Wherewereyou?"

"Iwasawayonanerrand,sir.WhenIreturned,thepolicewereknockingthedoordown.Hewaslockedin!"

Wepassedhim,enteringthestudy.

Itwasamuseum-likeroom,lightedbyalamponthelitteredtable.Atfirstglanceitlookedasthoughsomewildthinghadrunamokthere.Thedisorderwasindescribable.

"Touchednothing,ofcourse?"askedBristolsharplyoftheofficeronduty.

"Nothing,sir.It'sjustaswefounditwhenweforcedthedoor."

"Whydidyouforcethedoor?"

"Herungusupatthestationandsaidthatsomethingorsomebodyhadgotintothehouse.Itwasevidentthepoorgentleman'snervehadbrokendown,sir.Hesaidhewaslockedinhisstudy.When

wearriveditwasallindarkness-butwethoughtweheardsoundsinhere."

"Whatsortofsounds?"

"Somethingcrawlingabout!"

Bristolturned.

"Keyisinthelockontheinsideofthedoor,"hesaid."Isthatwhereyoufoundit?"

"Yes,sir!'

Helookedacrosstowherethebrassknobofasafegleameddully.

"Safelocked?"

"Yes,sir."

ProfessorDeepinglayhalfunderthetable,aspectaclesoghastlythatIshallnotattempttodescribeit.

"Mercifulheavens!"whisperedBristol."He'snearlydecapitated!"Iclutcheddizzilyatthemantelpiece.Itwasallsoutterly,

incrediblyhorrible.HowhadDeepingmethisdeath?Thewindowsbothwerelatchedandthedoorhadbeenlockedfromwithin!

"Yousearchedforthemurderer,ofcourseaskedBristol.

"Youcansee,sir,"repliedtheofficer,"thatthereisn'taspotintheroomwhereamancouldhide!Andtherewasnobodyinherewhenweforcedthedoor!"

"Why!"criedmycompanionsuddenly."TheProfessorhasachisel


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inhishand!"

"Yes.Ithinkhemusthavebeentryingtopriseopenthatboxyonderwhenhewasattacked."

BristolandIlooked,together,atanoblongboxwhichlayuponthefloornearthemurderedman.Itwasakindofsmallpackingcase,addressedtoProfessorDeeping,andevidentlyhadnotbeenopened.

"Whendidthisarrive?"askedBristol.Lester,theProfessor'sman,whohadenteredtheroom,repliedshakily-

"Itcamebycarrier,sir,justbeforeIwentout."

"Washeexpectingit?"

"Idon'tthinkso."

InspectorBristolandtheofficerdraggedtheboxfullyintothelight.Itwassomethreefeetlongbyonefootsquare,andsolidlyconstructed.

Itisperfectlyevident,"remarkedBristol,"thatthemurderer

stayedtosearchfor-"

"Thekeyofthesafe!"

"Exactly.Ifthemenreallyheardsoundshere,itwouldappearthattheassassinwasstillsearchingatthattime"

"Iassureyou,"theofficerinterrupted,"thattherewasnolivingthingintheroomwhenweentered."BristolandIlookedatoneanotherinhorrifiedwonder.

"It'sincomprehensible?"hesaid.

"SeeifthekeyisintheplacementionedbytheProfessor,Mr.Cavanagh,whilstIbreakthebox."

Iwenttoagreat,openbookcase,whichthefranticsearcherseemedtohaveoverlooked.Removingthebulky"AssyrianMythology,"there,behindthevolume,layanenvelope,containingakey,andashortletter.Notcaringtoapproachmorecloselytothetableandtothatwhichlaybeneathit,Iwaspeeringatthesmallwriting,inthesemi-gloombythebookcase,whenBristolcried-

Thisboxisunopenablebyordinarymeans!Ishallhavetosmashit!"

Athiswords,Ijoinedhimwherehekneltonthefloor.Mysteriously,thechesthaddefiedallhisefforts.

"There'sapick-axeinthegarden,"volunteeredLester."ShallIbringit?"

"Yes."

Themanranoff.


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"Iseethekeyissafe,"saidBristol."Possiblythelettermaythrowsomelightuponallthis."

"Letushopeso,"Ireplied."Youmightreadit."

Hetooktheletterfrommyhand,steppeduptothetable,andbythelightofthelampreadasfollows-

MyDearCavanagh,-

Ithasnowbecomeapparenttomethatmylifeisinimminentdanger.Youknowoftheinexplicableoutrageswhichmarkedmyhomewardjourney,andifthislettercometoyourhanditwillbebecausethesehaveculminatedinmydeath.

Theideaofapursuingscimitarisnotnewtome.Thisphenomenon,whichIhavenowwitnessedthreetimes,isfairlyeasyofexplanation,butitssignificanceissingular.ItissaidtobeoneofthedeviceswherebytheHashishinwarnthosewhomtheyhavemarkeddownfordestruction,andiscalled,intheEast,"TheScimitarofHassan,"

TheHashishinwerethemembersofaMoslemsecretsociety,founded

in1090byoneHassanofKhorassan.ThereisapersistenttraditioninpartsoftheOrientthatthissectstillflourishesinAssyria,undertheruleofacertainHassanofAleppo,theSheikh-al-jebal,orsupremelordoftheHashishin,Mycarefulinquiries,however,atthetimethatIwaspreparingmatterformy"AssyrianMythology,"failedtodiscoveranytraceofsuchapersonorsuchagroup.

IaccordinglyassumedHassantobeamyth-afirstcousintotheginn.Iwaswrong.Heexists.AndbymysupremelyrashactIhaveincurredhisvengeance,forHassanofAleppoistheself-appointedguardianofthetraditionsandrelicsofMohammed.AndIhaveStolenoneoftheholyslippersoftheProphet!

He,withsomeofhisservants,hasfollowedmefromMeccatoEngland.Myprecautionshaveenabledmetoretaintherelic,butyouhaveseenwhatfatebefellallthoseotherswhoeventouchedthereceptaclecontainingit.

IfIfallavictimtotheHashishin,Iamuncertainhowyou,asmyconfidant,willfare.ThereforeIhavelockedtheslipperinmysafeandtoyouentrustthekey.Iappendparticularsofthelockcombination;butIwarnyou-donotopenthesafe.Iftheirwrathbevisiteduponyou,yourpossessionofthekeymayproveasafeguard.

Takethecopyof"AssyrianMythology."Youwillfindinitall

thatIlearnedrespectingtheHashishin.IfIamdoomedtobeassassinated,itmayaidyou;ifnot,inavengingmeinsavingothersfrommyfate,IfearIshallneverseeyouagain.Acloudofhorrorsettlesuponmelikeapall,Donottouchtheslipper,northecasecontainingit.

EDWARDDEEPING.

"Itisalmostincredible!"Isaidhoarsely.


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Bristolreturnedthelettertomewithoutaword,andturningtoLester,whohadreenteredcarryingaheavypick-axe,heattackedtheoblongboxwithsavageenergy.

Throughthehouseofdeaththesoundoftheblowsechoedandrangwithasortofsacrilegiousmockery.Theboxfelltopieces.

"MyGod!look,sir!"

Lesterwasthetremblingspeaker.

Thebox,Ihavesaid,wasbutthreefeetlongbyonefootsquare,andhadclearlydefiedpoorDeeping'seffortstoopenit.Butacrescent-shapedknife,wetwithblood,laywithin!

CHAPTERV

THEOCCUPANTOFTHEBOX

DimlytomyearscametheceaselessmurmurofLondon.Thenightnow

wasfaradvanced,andnotasounddisturbedthesilenceofthecourtbelowmywindows.

ProfessorDeeping's"AssyrianMythology"layopenbeforeme,besideitmynotebook.Acoaldroppedfromthefire,andIhalfstartedupoutofmychair.Mynerveswereallawry,andIhadmorethanmyhorriblememoriesofthemurderedmantothankforit.LetmeexplainwhatImean.

When,afterassisting,orendeavouringtoassist,Bristolathiselaborateinquiries,Ihadatlastreturnedtomychambers,Ihadbecomethevictimofasingulardelusion-thoughonecommonenoughinthecaseofpersonswhosenervesareoverwrought.Ihadthought

myselffollowed.

DuringthelatterpartofmyjourneyIfoundmyselfconstantlylookingfromthelittlewindowattherearofthecab.Ihadanimpressionthatsomevehiclewastrackingus.Then,whenIdischargedthemanandwalkedupthenarrowpassagetothecourt,itwasfearofaskulkingformthatdodgedfromshadowtoshadowwhichobsessedme.

Finally,asIenteredthehallandmountedthedarkenedstair,fromthefirstlandingIglanceddownintotheblackwellbeneath.Blazingyelloweyes,Ithought,lookedupatme!

IwillconfessthatIleaptuptheremainingflightofstairstomydoor,and,safelywithin,foundmyselftremblingasifwithapalsy.

WhenIsatdowntowrite(forsleepwasanimpossibleproposition)Iplacedmyrevolveruponthetablebesideme.Icannotsaywhy.Itaffordedmesomesenseofprotection,Isuppose.Myconclusions,thusfar,amountedtothefollowing-

Theapparitionofthephantomscimitarwasduetothepresenceofsomeonewho,bymeansofthemoonlight,orofartificiallight,


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castareflectionofsuchaweaponasthatfoundintheoblongchestuponthewallofadarkenedapartment-as,Deeping'sstateroomontheMandalay,hisstudy,etc.

Agroupofhighlyefficientassassins,evidentlyMoslemfanatics,whomightormightnotbeoftheancientorderoftheHashishin,hadpursuedthestolenslippertoEngland.Theyhadseveredanyhand,otherthanthatofaBeliever,whichhadtouchedthecasecontainingit.(TheCopticporterwasaChristian.)

Uncertain,possibly,ofDeeping'sfaith,orfearfulofendangeringthesuccessoftheireffortsbyanoutrageuponhimenroute,theyhadrefrainedfromthisuntilhisarrivalathishouse.HehadbeenwarnedofhisimpendingendbyAhmadAhmadeen.

WhowasAhmadeen?Andwhowashisbeautifulassociate?Ifoundmyselfunable,atpresent,toanswereitherofthosequestions.InordertogainaccesstoProfessorDeeping,whosocarefullysecludedhimself,aboxhadbeensenttohimbyordinarycarrier.(AsIsatatmytable,ScotlandYardwasbusyendeavouringtotracethesender.)Respectingthisboxwehadmadeanextraordinarydiscovery.

ItwasofthekindusedbyEasternconjurorsforwhatisgenerallyknownas"theBoxTrick."Thatistosay,itcouldonlybeopened

(shortofsmashingit)fromtheinside!Youwillrememberwhatwefoundwithinit?Considerthiswiththenewfact,above,andtowhatconclusiondoyoucome?

Something(itisnotpossibletospeakofsomeoneinconnectionwithsosmallabox)hadbeenconcealedinside,andhadkilledProfessorDeepingwhilsthewasactuallyengagedinendeavouringtoforceitopen.Thisinconceivablecreaturehadthensearchedthestudyfortheslipper-orforthekeyofthesafe.Interruptedandtrappedbythearrivalofthepolice,thecreaturehadreturnedtothebox,re-closedit,andhadactuallybeentherewhenthestudywassearched!

Foracreaturesosmallasthemurderousthingintheboxtoslipoutduringtheconfusion,andatsometimepriortoBristol'sarrival,wasnodifficultmatter.TheinspectorandIwerecertainthatthesewerethefacts.

Butwhatwasthiscreature?

Iturnedtothechapterin"AssyrianMythology"-"TheTraditionoftheHashishin."

ThelegendswhichthelateProfessorDeepinghadcollectedrelativetothissectofreligiousmurderersweretrulyextraordinary.Ofthecult'sextinctionatthetimeofwritinghewasclearlycertain,

buthereferredtothepopularbelief,orMoslemlegend,that,sinceHassanofKhorassan,therehadalwaysbeenaSheikh-al-jebal,andthatadreadfulbeingknownasHassanofAleppowasthepresentholderofthetitle.

HereferredtothefactthatDeSacyhasshownthewordAssassintobederivedfromHashishin,andquotedEl-Idrisitothesameend.TheHashishinperformedtheirmurderousfeatsundertheinfluenceofhashish,orIndianhemp;andduringthestateofecstasysoinduced,accordingtoDeeping,theyacquiredpowers


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almostsuperhuman.Ireadhowtheycouldscalesheerprecipices,passfearlesslyalongnarrowledgeswhichwouldscarceaffordfootholdforarat,castthemselvesfromgreatheightsunscathed,andtrackonemarkedfordeathinsuchamannerastoremainunseennotonlybythevictimbutbyothersabouthim.AtthispointofmystudiesIstarted,inasuddennervouspanic,andlaidmyhanduponmyrevolver.

Ithoughtoftheeyeswhichhadseemedtolookupfromtheblackwellofthestaircase-Ithoughtofthehorribleendofthismanwhosebooklayuponthetable...andIthoughtIheardafaintsoundoutsidemystudydoor!

ThekeyofDeeping'ssafe,andhislettertome,layclosebymyhand.Islippedthemintoadrawerandlockedit.Witheverynerve,itseemed,strungupalmosttosnappingpoint,Imechanicallypursuedmyreading.

"AtthetimeoftheCrusades,"wroteDeeping,"therewasastorycurrentofthisawfulOrderwhichIproposetorecount.ItisoneofthemostpersistentdealingwiththeHashishin,andisrelatedto-dayoftheapparentlymythicalHassanofAleppo.Iamdisposedtobelievethatatonetimeithadasolidfoundation,forasimilarpracticewascommoninAncientEgyptandismentionedby

GeorgEbers."

Mydoorbeganveryslowlytoopen!

MercifulGod!Whatwascomingintotheroom!

Soveryslowly,sogently,nay,allbutimperceptibly,diditmove,thathadmynervesbeenlesskeenlyattunedIdoubtnotIshouldhaveremainedunawareofthehappening.Frozenwithhorror,Isatandwatched.Yetmymentalconditionwasasingularone.

Mydirectgazeneverquittedthedoor,butinsomestrangefashionIsawthewordsofthenextparagraphuponthepagebeforeme!

"Asmakingpeculiarlyefficientassassins,whenundertheinfluenceofthedrug,andasbeingcapableofconcealingthemselveswhereanormalmancouldnotfailtobedetected-"

(AtthismomentIrememberedthatmybathroomwindowwasopen,andthatthewaste-pipepasseddowntheexteriorwall.)

"-theSheikh-al-jebaltookyoungboysofacertaindeserttribe,andforeighthoursofeveryday,untiltheirpuberty,confinedtheminawoodenframe-"

Whatlookedlikeareedwasslowlyinsertedthroughtheopening

betweendooranddoorpost!Itwasbroughtgraduallyaround...untilitpointeddirectlytowardme!

Iseemedtoputforthamightymentaleffort,shakingofftheicyhandoffearwhichheldmeinactiveinmychair.Asavinginstinctwarnedme-andIduckedmyhead.

Somethingwhirredpastmeandstruckthewallbehind.

Revolverinhand,Ileaptacrosstheroom,dashedthedooropen,


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andfiredblindly-again-andagain-andagain-downthepassage.

AndinthebriefgleamsIsawit!

Icannotcallitman,butIsawthethingwhich,Idoubtnot,hadkilledpoorDeepingwiththecrescent-knifeandhadpropelledapoison-dartatme.

Itwasatinydwarf!NeitherwithinnorwithoutafreakexhibitionhadIseensosmallahumanbeing!Akindofsupernaturaldreadgrippedmebythethroatatsightofit.Asitturnedwithanimalactivityandboundedintomybathroom,Icaughtathree-quarterviewofthecreature'sswollen,incrediblehead-whichwasnearlyaslargeasthatofanormalman!

NeverwhilemymindservesmecanIforgetthatyellow,grinningfaceandthosecaninefangs-thetigerish,blazingeyes-setinthegreat,misshapenheaduponthetiny,agilebody.

Wildly,Ifiredagain.Ihurledmyselfforwardanddashedintotheroom.

Likenothingsomuchasacat,thegleamingbody(thedwarfwas

butscantilyclothed)streakedthroughtheopenwindow!

Certaindeath,Ithought,mustbehislotuponthestonesofthecourtfarbelow.Iranandlookeddown,shakingineverylimb,mymindfilledwithaloathingterrorunlikeanythingIhadeverknown.

Brilliantmoonlightfloodedthepavementbeneath;fortwentyyardstoleftandrighteverystonewasvisible.

Thecourtwasempty!

Human,homelyLondonmovedandwroughtintimatelyaboutme;but

there,atsightoftheemptycourtbelow,agreatlonelinesssweptdownlikeamantle-aclammymantleofthefabricofdread.Istoodremotefrommyfellows,inanevilworldpeopledwiththecreaturesofHassanofAleppo.

Movedbysomeinstinct,asthatofafrightenedchild,Idroppedtomykneesandburiedmyfaceintremblinghands.

CHAPTERVI

THERINGOFTHEPROPHET

Hereisnodoubt,"saidMr.Rawson,thatgreatpersonaldangerattachestoanycontactwiththisrelic.ItisthefirsttimeIhavebeenconcernedwithanythingofthekind."

Mr.Bristol,ofScotlandYard,standingstifflymilitarybythewindow,lookedacrossatthegray-hairedsolicitor.Wewereallsilentforafewmoments.


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"Mylateclient'swishes,"continuedMr.Rawson,"areexplicit.Hislastinstructions,evidentlywrittenbutashorttimepriortohisdeath,advisemethattheholyslipperoftheProphetiscontainedinthelockedsafeathishouseinDulwich.Hewasclearlyofopinionthatyou,Mr.Cavanagh,wouldincurrisk-greatrisk-fromyourpossessionofthekey.Sinceattemptshavebeenmadeuponyou,murderousattempts,thelateProfessorDeeping,myunfortunateclient,evidentlywasnotinerror."

"Mysteriousoutrages,"saidBristol,"havemarkedtheprogressofthestolenslipperfromMeccaalmosttoLondon."

"Iunderstand,"interruptedthesolicitor,"thatafanaticknownasHassanofAlepposeekstorestoretherelictoitsformerrestingplace."

"Thatisso."

"Exactly;anditaccountsfortheProfessor'swishthatthesafeshouldnotbetouchedbyanyonebutaBeliever-andforhisinstructionsthatitsremovaltotheAntiquarianMuseumandtheplacingoftheslipperwithinthatinstitutionbeundertakenbyaMoslemorMoslems."

Bristolfrowned.

"Anyonewhohastouchedthereceptaclecontainingthething,"hesaid,"haseitherbeenmutilatedormurdered.Iwanttoapprehendtheauthorsofthoseoutrages,butIfailtoseewhytheslippershouldbeputonexhibition.Othercrimesaresuretofollow."

"Icanonlypursuemyinstructions,"saidMr.Rawsondryly."Theyare,thattheworkbedoneinsuchamannerastoexposeallconcernedtoaminimumofriskfromthesemysteriouspeople;thatifpossibleaMoslembeemployedforthepurpose;andthatMr.Cavanagh,here,shallalwaysholdthekeyorkeystothecasein

themuseumcontainingtheslipper.Willyouundertaketolookforsome-Easternworkmen,Mr.Bristol?Inthecourseofyourinquiriesyoumaypossiblycomeacrosssuchaperson.

"Icantry,"repliedBristol."Meanwhile,Itakeit,thesafemustremainatDulwich?"

"Certainly.Itshouldbeguarded."

"Weareguardingitandshallguardit,"Bristolassuredhim."Ionlyhopewecatchsomeonetryingtogetatit!"

ShortlyafterwardBristolandIlefttheoffice,and,hisduties

takinghimtoScotlandYard,IreturnedtomychamberstosurveythepositioninwhichInowfoundmyself.Indeed,itwasastrangeoneenough,showinghowgreatthingshavesmallbeginnings;for,asaresultofasteameracquaintanceIfoundmyselfinvolvedinadarkbusinessworthyoftheMiddleAges.ThatProfessorDeepingshouldhavestolenoneoftheholyslippersofMohammedwasnoaffairofmine,andthatanawfulbeingknownasHassanofAlepposhouldhavepursueditdidnotproperlyenterintomyconcerns;yetnow,withagroupofEasternfanaticsatlargeinEngland,Iwasbecome,inasense,thecustodianoftherelic.Moreover,I


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perceivedthatIhadbeenchosenthatImightsafeguardmyself.WhatIknewofthemattermightimperilme,butwhilstIheldthekeytothereliquary,andhelditfast,ImighthopetoremainimmunethoughImustexpecttobesubjectedtoattempts.Itwouldbemyaffairtocometoterms.

ContemplatingthesethingsIsat,inaworldofdarkdreams,unconsciousofthecomingsandgoingsinthecourtbelow,unconsciousofthehumwhichtoldofbusyFleetStreetsoneartome.Theweather,asisitsuncomfortablehabitinEngland,hadsuddenlygrowntropicallyhot,plungingLondonintothevapoursofanAfricanspring,andthesunwasstreamingthroughmyopenwindowfullyuponthetable.

Imoppedmyclammyforehead,glancingwithdistasteatthepileofworkwhichlaybeforeme.Thenmyeyesturnedtoanopenquartobook.ItwasthelateProfessorDeeping's"AssyrianMythology,"andembodiedtheresultofhisresearchesintothehistoryoftheHashishin,thereligiousmurderersofwhoseexistencehehadbeensoskeptical.TotheChiefoftheOrder,theterribleSheikhHassanofAleppo,hereferredasa"fabledbeing";yetitwasatthehandsofthis"fabledbeing"thathehadmethisend!Howincredibleitallseemed.ButIknewfullwellhowworthyofcredenceitwas.

Thenuponmygloomymusingsasoundintruded-theringingofmydoorbell.Irosefrommychairwithawearysigh,wenttothedoor,andopenedit.AnagedOrientalstoodwithout.Hewastallandstraight,hadasnow-whitebeardandclear-cut,handsomefeatures.Heworewell-cut;Europeangarmentsandagreenturban.AsIstoodstaringhesalutedmegravely.

"Mr.Cavanagh?"heasked,speakinginfaultlessEnglish.

"Iamhe."

"IlearnthattheservicesofaMoslemworkmanarerequired."

"Quitecorrect,sir;butyoushouldapplyattheofficesofMessrs.Rawson&Rawson,ChanceryLane."

Theoldmanbowed,smiling.

"Manythanks;Iunderstoodsomuch.But,mypositionbeingapeculiarone,Iwishedtospeakwithyou-asafriendofthelateProfessor."

Ihesitated.Theoldmanlookedharmlessenough,buttherewasanairofmysteryaboutthematterwhichputmeonmyguard.

"Youwillpardonme,"Isaid,"buttheworkisscarcelyofakind-"

Heraisedhisthinhand.

"Iamnotundertakingitmyself.IwishedtoexplaintoyoutheconditionsunderwhichIcouldarrangetofurnishsuitableporters."

Hispatientexplanationdisposedmetobelievethathewasmerelysomekindofsmallcontractor,andinanyeventIhadnothingtofearfromthisfrailoldman.


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"Stepin,sir,"Isaid,repentingofmybrusquerie-andstoodasideforhim.

Heentered,withthatOrientalmeeknessinwhichthereissomethingmajestic.Iplacedachairforhiminthestudy,andreseatedmyselfatthetable.Theoldman,whofromthefirsthadkepthiseyeslowereddeferentially,turnedtomewithagentlegesture,asiftoapologizeforopeningtheconversation.

"Fromthepapers,Mr.Cavanagh,"hebegan,"IhavelearnedofthecircumstancesattendingthedeathofProfessorDeeping."Yourpapers"-hesmiled,andIthoughtIhadneverseenasmileofsuchsweetness-"yourpapersknowall!NowIunderstandwhyaMoslemisrequired,andIunderstandwhatisrequiredofhim.Butrememberingthattheobjectofhislabourswouldbetoplaceaholyreliconexhibitionfortheamusementofunbelievers,canyoureasonablyexpecttoobtaintheservicesofone?"

Hispointofviewwasfairenough.

"Perhapsnot,"Ireplied."FormyownpartIshouldwishtoseetheslipperbackinMecca,orwhereveritcamefrom.ButProfessorDeeping-"

"ProfessorDeepingwasathorninthefleshoftheFaithful!"

Myvisitorsvoicewasgravelyreproachful.

"Neverthelesshiswishesmustbeconsidered,"Isaid,"andthemethodsadoptedbythosewhoseektorecovertherelicaresuchastoalienateallsympathy."

"YouspeakoftheHashishin?"askedtheoldman."Mr.Cavanagh,inyourownfaithyouhavehadthosewhospilledthebloodofinfidelsasfreely!"

"Mygoodsir,theexistenceofsuchanorganizationcannotbe

toleratedtoday!Thissurvivalofthedarkagesmustbestampedout.Howeverjustacausemaybe,secretmurderisnotpermissible,asyou,amanofculture,aBeliever,and"-Iglancedathisunusualturban-"adescendantoftheProphet,mustadmit."

"IcanadmitnothingagainsttheGuardianoftheTradition,Mr.Cavanagh!TheProphettaughtthatweshouldsmitetheInfidel.Iaskyou-haveyouthecourageofyourconvictions?"

"Perhaps;Itrustso."

"ThenassistmetoridEnglandofwhatyouhavecalledasurvivalofthedarkages.Iwillfurnishporterstoremoveandcarrythe

safe,ifyouwilldelivertomethekey!"

Isprangtomyfeet.

"Thatismadness!"Icried."InthefirstplaceIshouldbecompromisingwithmyconscience,andinthesecondplaceIshouldbedefencelessagainstthosewhomight-"

"Ihavewithmeawrittenpromisefromonehighlyplaced-onetowhosewillHassanofAleppobows!"


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Mymindgreatlydisturbed,Iwatchedthevenerablespeaker.IhaddeterminednowthathewassomereligiousleaderofIslaminEngland,whohadbeendeputedtoapproachme;and,letmeadd,Iwassorelytemptedtoaccedetohisproposal,fornothingwouldbegainedbyanyoneiftheslipperremainedforeveratthemuseum,whereasbyconnivingatitsrecoverybythosewho,afterall,wereitsrightfulownersIshouldberiddingEnglandofaweirdandundesirablevisitant.

IthinkIshouldhaveagreed,whenIrememberedthattheHashishinhadmurderedProfessorDeepingandhadmutilatedotherswhollyinnocentofoffence.Ilookedacrossattheoldman.Hehaddrawnhimselfuptohisgreatheight,andforthefirsttimefullyraisingthelids,hadfixeduponmethepiercinggazeofapairofeagleeyes.Istarted,fortheaspectofthismajesticfigurewasentirelydifferentfromthatoftheoldstrangerwhohadstoodsuppliantbeforemeamomentago.

"Itisimpossible,"Isaid."Icancometonotermswiththosewhoshieldmurderers."

Heregardedmefixedly,butdidnotmove.

"Es-selam'aleykum!"Iadded("Peacebeonyou!")closingtheinterviewintheEasternmanner.

Theoldmanloweredhiseyes,andsalutedmewithgracefulgravity.

"Wa-'aleykum!"hesaid("Andonyou!").Iconductedhimtothedoorandclosedituponhisexit.InhislastsaluteIhadnoticedtheflashingofaringwhichheworeuponhislefthand,andhewasgonescarcetensecondseremyheartbegantobeatfuriously.Isnatchedup"AssyrianMythology"andwithtremblingfingersturnedtoacertainpage.

ThereIread-

EachSheikhoftheAssassinsissaidtobeinvestedwiththe"RingoftheProphet."Itbearsagreenstone,shapedintheformofascimitarorcrescent.

Mydreadfulsuspicionwasconfirmed.Iknewwhomyvisitorhadbeen.

"Godinheaven!"Iwhispered."ItwasHassanofAleppo!"

CHAPTERVII

FIRSTATTEMPTONTHESAFE

OnthefollowingmorningIwasawakenedbythearrivalofBristol.Ihastenedtoadmithim.

"Yourvisitorofyesterday,"hebegan,"haswastednotime!"


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"Whathashappened?"

Hetuggedirritablyathismoustache."Idon'tknow!"hereplied."Ofcourseitwasnosurprisetofindthatthereisn'taMohammedanwho'lllayhislittlefingeronProfessorDeeping'ssafe!There'snodoubtinmymindthateverylascaratthedocksknowsHassanofAleppotobeinEngland.Someotherarrangementwillhavetobearrivedat,ifthethingisevertobetakentotheAntiquarianMuseum.Meanwhilewestandtoloseit.Lastnight-"

Heacceptedacigarette,andlighteditcarefully.

"Lastnight,"heresumed,"amemberofPDivisionwasonpointdutyoutsidethelateProfessor'shouse,andtwoC.I.D.menwereactuallyintheroomwherethesafeis.Result-someonehasputinatleastanhour'sworkonthelock,butitprovedtootoughajob!"

Istaredathimamazedly.

"Someonehasbeenatthelock!"Icried."Butthatisimpossible,withtwomenintheroom-unless-"

"Theywerebothknockedonthehead!"

"Both!Butbywhom!MyGod!Theyarenot-"

"Oh,no!Itwasdoneartistically.Theybothcameroundaboutfouro'clockthismorning."

"Andwhoattackedthem?"

"Theyhadnoidea.Neitherofthemsawathing!"

Myamazementgrewbyleapsandbounds."But,Bristol,oneofthemmusthaveseentheothersuccumb!"

"Bothdid!Theirstatementstallyexactly!"

"Iquitefailtofollowyou."

"That'snotsurprising.Listen:WhenIgotonthesceneaboutfiveo'clock,MardenandWest,thetwoC.I.D.men,hadquiterecoveredtheirsenses,thoughtheywerebadlyshaken,andonehadacrackedskull.Theconstablewasconsciousagain,too."

"What!Washeattacked?"

"Inexactlythesameway!I'llgiveyouMarden'sstory,ashegaveittomeafewminutesafterthesurgeonhaddonewithhim.Hesaid

thattheyweresittinginthestudy,smoking,andwithbothwindowswideopen.Itwasafearfullyhotnight."

"Didtheyhavelights?"

"No.Westsatinanarmchairnearthewriting-table;Mardensatbythewindownexttothedoor.Ihadarrangedthateveryhouroneofthemshouldgoouttothegateandtaketheconstable'sreport.ItwasjustafterMardenhadbeenoutatoneo'clockthatithappened.


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"TheyweresittingasItellyouwhenMardenthoughtheheardacurioussortofnoisefromthegate.Westappearedtohaveheardnothing;butIhavenodoubtthatitwasthesoundoftheconstable'sfall.West'spipehadgoneout,andhestruckamatchtorelightit.Ashedidso,Mardensawhimdropthematch,clenchbothfists,andwitheyesglaringinthemoonlightandhisteethcomingtogetherwithasnap,dropfromhischair.

"Mardensaysthathewashalfupfromhisseatwhensomethingstruckhimonthebackoftheheadwithfearfulforce.Herememberednothingmoreuntilheawoke,withthedawncreepingintotheroom,andheardWestgroaningsomewherebesidehim.Theybothhadbadlydamagedskullswithgreatbruisesbehindtheear.Itisinstructivetonotethattheirwoundscorrespondedalmosttoafractionofaninch.Theyhadbeenstunnedbysomeonewhothoroughlyunderstoodhisbusiness,andwithsomeheavy,bluntweapon.Afewminuteslatercamethemantorelievetheconstable;andtheconstablewasfoundtohavebeentreatedinexactlythesameway!"

"ButifMarden'saccountistrue-"

"West,ashelostconsciousness,sawMardengoinexactlythesameway.

"Mardenwasseatedbytheopenwindow,butIcannotconjecturehowanyonecanhavegotatWest,whosatbythetable!"

"ThecaseofMardenislittlelessremarkable;hewassomedistancefromthewindow.Noonecouldpossiblyhavereachedhimfromoutside."

"Andtheconstable?"

"Theconstablecangiveusnoclue.Hewassuddenlystruckdown,astheotherswere.Iexaminedthesafe,ofcourse,butdidn'ttouchit,accordingtoinstructions.Someonehadbeenatworkonthelock,butithaddefiedtheirefforts.I'mfullyexpecting

thoughthatthey'llbebackto-night,withdifferenttools!"

"Theplaceiswatchedduringtheday,ofcourse?"

"Ofcourse.Butit'sunlikelythatanythingwillbeattemptedindaylight.TonightIamgoingdownmyself."

"CouldyouarrangethatIjoinyou?"

"Icould,butyoucanseethedangerforyourself?"

"Itisextraordinarilymysterious."

"Mr.Cavanagh,it'suncanny!"saidBristol."IcanunderstandthatoneoftheseHashishincouldeasilyhavegotupbehindthemanondutyoutintheopen.Iknow,andsodoyou,thatthey'repastmastersofthatkindofthing;butunlesstheypossessthepowertorenderthemselvesinvisible,it'snotevidenthowtheycanhavegotbehindWestwhilsthesatatthetable,withMardenactuallywatchinghim!"

"Wemustlayatrapforthemto-night."


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"But,"Ibegan-andpaused.

Ifeltmyselfflush;forthisencounterinthefoyerofanhotel,withmanycuriousonlookers,wasliketoproveembarrassingifmybeautifulacquaintancepersistedinherattitude.Ifullyrealizedwhatconstructionwouldbeputuponmypresencethere,andforesawthatforcibleandignominiousejectionmustbemylotifIfailedtoestablishmyrighttoaddressher.

Sheturnedaway,andcrossedinthedirectionofthestaircase.Asunbeamsoughtoutalockofhairthatstrayedacrossherbrow,andkissedittoasuddenglowlikethatwhichlurksintheheartofablushrose.

Thatwonderfulsheen,whichIhadnevermetwithelsewhereinnature,butwhichnoartificecouldlend,servedtoremovemylastfraildoubtwhichhadsurvivedtheevidenceofthevioleteyes.Ihadbeendeceivedbynostrangeresemblance;thiswasindeedthewomanwhohadbeentheharbingerofProfessorDeeping'sdeath.InthreestridesIwasbesideheragain.Curiousglancesweresetuponme,andIsawaservantevidentlycontemplatingapproach;butIignoredallsavemyownfixedpurpose.

"YoumustlistentowhatIhavetosay!"Iwhispered."Ifyou

decline,Ishallhavenoalternativebuttocallinthedetectivewhoholdsawarrantforyourarrest!"

Shestoodquitestill,watchingmecoolly."Isupposeyouwouldwishtoavoidascene?"Iadded.

"Youhavealreadymademetheobjectofmuchundesirableattention,"sherepliedscornfully."Idonotneedyourassurancethatyouwoulddisgracemeutterly!Youaretalkingnonsense,asyoumustbeaware-unlessyouareinsane.Butifyourobjectbetoforceyouracquaintanceuponme,yourmethodsarenovel,and,underthecircumstances,effective.Come,sir,youmaytalktome-forthreeminutes!"

Themusicalvoicehadlostnothingofitsimperiousness,butforoneinstantthelipsparted,affordingafleetingglimpseofpearlbeyondthecoral.

Hersuddenchangeoffrontwasbewildering.Now,sheenteredtheliftandIfollowedher.AsweascendedsidebysideIfounditimpossibletobelievethatthisdaintywhitefigurewasthatofanassociateoftheHashishin,thatofacreatureoftheterribleHassanofAleppo.Yetthatshewasthesamegirlwho,afewdaysaftermyreturnfromtheEast,hadshownherselfconversantwiththeplansofthemurderousfanaticswasbeyonddoubt.Heraccentonthatoccasionclearlyhadbeenassumed,withwhatobjectIcould

notimagine.Then,aswequittedtheliftandenteredacosylounge,mycompanionseatedherselfuponaChesterfield,signingtometositbesideher.

AsIdidsoshelaybacksmiling,andregardingmefrombeneathherblacklashes.Thus,halfveiled,hergreatvioleteyesweremostwonderful.

"Now,sir,"shesaidsoftly,"explainyourself."


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"Thenyoupersistinpretendingthatwehavenotmetbefore?"

"Thereisnooccasionforpretence,"sherepliedlightly;andIfoundmyselfcomparinghervoicewithherfigure,herfigurewithherface,andvainlyendeavouringtocomputeherage.Frankly,shewasbewildering-thislovelygirlwhoseemedsowhollyawomanoftheworld.

"Thisfencingisuseless."

"Itisquiteuseless!Come,IknowNewYork,London,andIknowParis,Vienna,Budapest.ThereforeIknowmankind!YouthoughtIwaspretty,Isuppose?Imaybe;othershavethoughtso.Andyouthoughtyouwouldliketomakemyacquaintancewithouttroublingabouttheusualformalities?Youadoptedasingularlybrutalmethodofachievingyourobject,butIlovesuchinsolenceinaman.ThereforeIforgaveyou.Whathaveyoutosaytome?

IperceivethatIhadtodealwithaboldadventuress,withaconsummateactress,who,findingherselfinadangeroussituation,hadadoptedthisdaringlineofdefence,andnowbyherpersonalcharmsoughttoluremefrommypurpose.

ButwiththescimitarofHassanofAleppostretchedoverme,with

thedangersofthenightbeforeme,Iwasinnomoodforaveiledduelofwords,foraninterchangeofglancesinthrustandparry,howeverdelightfulsuchwarfaremighthavebeenwithsoprettyanadversary.

ForalongtimeIlookedsternlyintohereyes;buttheirvioletmysterydefied,whilstherred-lippedsmiletauntedme.

"Unfortunately,"Isaid,withslowemphasis,"youareprotectedbymypromise,madeontheoccasionofourpreviousmeeting.Butmurderhasbeendone,sothathonourscarcelydemandsthatIrespectmypromisefurther-"

Sheraisedhereyebrowsslightly.

"Surelythatdependsuponthequalityofthehonour!"shesaid.

"Ibelieveyoutobeamemberofamurderousorganization,andunlessyoucanconvincemethatIamwrong,Ishallactaccordingly."

Atthatsheleanedtowardme,layingherhandonmyarm.

"Pleasedonotbesocruel,"shewhispered,"astodragmeintoamatterwithwhichtrulyIhavenoconcern.Believeme,youareutterlymistaken.Waitonemoment,andIwillproveit."

Sherose,andbeforeIcouldmakemovetodetainher,quittedtheroom;ButthedoorscarcelyhadclosedereIwasafoot.Thecorridorbeyondwasempty.Iranon.Thelifthadjustdescended.AdarkmanwhomIrecognizedstoodneartheclosedgate.

"Quick!"Isaid,"IamCavanaghoftheReport!Didyouseealadyenterthelift?"

"Idid,Mr.Cavanagh,"answeredthehoteldetective;forthiswashe.


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InsuchagiantinnasthisIknewfullwellthatonecouldcomeandgoalmostwithimpunity,thoughonehadnorighttothehospitalityoftheestablishment;anditwaswithapremonitionrespectingwhathisanswerwouldbe,thatIaskedtheman-

"Isshestayinghere?"

"Sheisnot.Ihaveneverseenherbefore!"

Thegirlwiththevioleteyeshadescaped,takingallhersecretswithher!

CHAPTERIX

SECONDATTEMPTONTHESAFE

"Yousee,"saidBristol,"theHashishinmustknowthatthesafewon'tremainhereunopenedmuchlonger.Theywillthereforeprobablymakeanotherattemptto-night."

"Itseemslikely,"Ireplied;andwassilent.Outsidetheopenwindowswhisperedtheshrubbery,asasoftbreezestolethroughthebushes.Beyond,themoonmadeplayinthedimavenue.Fromtheoldchapelhardbythesweet-tonedbellproclaimedmidnight.Ourvigilwasbegun.InthisroomitwasthatProfessorDeepinghadmetdeathatthehandsofthemurderousEasterns;hereitwasthatMardenandWesthadmysteriouslybeenstruckdownthenightbefore.

To-nightwaseverywhitashot,andBristolandIhadthewindowswidelyopened.Mycompanionwasseatedwherethedetective,Marden,hadsat,inachairnearthewesterlywindow,andIlaybackinthearmchairthathadbeenoccupiedbyWest.

ImayrepeatherethatthehouseofthelateProfessorDeepingwasmoreproperlyacottage,surroundedbyafairlylargepieceofground,forthemostpartrunwild.Theroomusedasastudywasonthegroundfloor,andhadwindowsonthewestandonthesouth.Thoseonthewest(Frenchwindows)openedonaloggia;thoseonthesouthopenedrightintothedensetangleofaneglectedshrubbery.Theplacepossessedanoppressiveatmosphereofloneliness,forwhichinsomemeasureitshistorymayhavebeenresponsible.

Thesilence,seeminglyintensifiedbyeachwhisperthatspedthroughtheelmsandcreptabouttheshrubbery,grewtosuchastillnessthatItoldmyselfIhadexperiencednothinglikeitsincecrossingwithacaravanIhadsleptinthedesert.Yetnoisy,whirling

Londonwaswithingunshotofus;andthis,thoughhardenoughtobelieve,wasareflectionoddlycomforting.Onlyonetrainofthoughtwaspossible,andthisIpursuedatrandom.

BywhatmeanswereMardenandWeststruckdown?Inthusexposingourselves,inorderthatwemighttraptheauthororauthorsoftheoutrage,didweactwisely?

"Bristol,"Isaidsuddenly,"itwassomeonewhocamethroughtheopenwindow."


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"Noone,"hereplied,"camethroughthewindows.Westsawabsolutelynothing.Butifanyonecomesthatwayto-night,wehavehim!"

"Westmayhaveseennothing;buthowelsecouldanyoneenter?"

Bristoloffered'noreply;andIplungedagainintoamazeofspeculation.

Powerfulmantrapsweresetinsuchawaythatanyoneoranything,ignorantoftheirpositions,cominguptothewindowsmustunavoidablybesnared.Thesehadbeenplacedinpositionwithmuchsecrecyafterdusk,andthemanondutyatthegatestoodwithhisbacktothewall.Noonecouldapproachhimexceptfromthefront.Mythoughtstookanewturn.

WasthegirlwiththevioleteyesanallyoftheHashishin?Thusfar,althoughshesopalpablyhadtrickedme,IhadfoundmyselfunabletospeakofhertoBristol;fortheideahadenteredmymindthatshemighthavelearnedoftheplantomurderDeepingwithoutdirectlybeingimplicated.Nowcameyetanotherexplanation.Thepublicitygiventothatsensationalcasemighthaveinterestedsomethirdpartyinthefateofthestolenslipper!Coulditbethat

others,innowayconnectedwiththedreadfulHassanofAleppo,wereinquestoftheslipper?

ScotlandYardhadtakencaretoensurethatthegeneralpublicbekeptinignoranceoftheexistenceofsuchanorganizationastheHashishin,butImustassumethatthishypotheticalthirdpartywerewellawarethattheyhadHassan,aswellastheauthorities,tocountwith.Grantingtheexistenceofsuchaparty,mybeautifulacquaintancemightbeclassifiedasoneofitsmembers.Ispokeagain.

"Bristol,"Isaid,"hasitoccurredtoyouthattheremaybeothers,aswellasHassanofAleppo,seekingtogainpossessionofthe

sacredslipper?"

"Ithasnot,"hereplied."Inthestrictestsenseoftheexpression,theywouldbeoutfortrouble!Whatgaveyoutheidea?"

"Ihardlyknow,"Ireturnedevasively,forevennowIwasloathtobetraythemysteriousgirlwiththewonderfuleyes.

Thechapelbellsoundingthehalf-hour,Bristolrosewithasighthatmighthavebeenoneofrelief,andwentouttotakethereportofthemanondutyatthegate.Ashisfootstepsdiedawayalongtheelmavenue,itcametomehow,inthedarknessabout,menacelurked;andIfeltmyselfsuccumbingtothegreatestdread

experiencedbyman-thedreadoftheunknown.

AllthatIknewoftheweirdgroupoffanatics-survivalsofadimandevilpast-whomustnowbewatchingthiscottageasbloodlustfuldevoteeswatchashrineviolated,burstuponmymind.Ipeopledthestillblacknesswithlurkingassassins,armedwiththemurderousknowledgeofby-gonecenturies,armedwithinvisibleweaponswhichstruckdownfromafar,supernaturally.

Iglancedtowardthecorneroftheroomwherethesafestood,


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reliquaryofaworthlessthingforwhichmuchbloodhadbeenspilled.

Thensoundedfootstepsalongtheavenue,andmyfearwhisperedthattheywerenotthoseofBristolbutofonewhohadmurderedhim,andwhocameguilefully,tomurderme!

Isnatchedtherevolverfrommypocketandcrossedthedarkenedroom.JusttotherightofoneoftheFrenchwindowsIstoodlookingoutacrosstheloggiatotheendoftheavenue.Thenightwasabrightone,andtheroomwasfloodedwithareflectedmysticlight,butoutsidethemoonpavedtheavenuewithpearl,andthroughthetreesIsawafigureapproaching.

WasitBristol?Ithadhisbuild,ithadhisgait;butmyfearsremained.Thenthefigurecrossedthepatchofshrubberyandsteppedontotheloggia.

"Mr.Cavanagh!"

Ilaugheddrylyatmyowncowardice,butmyheartwasstillbeatingabnormally.

"HereIam,Bristol,inaghastlyfunk!"

"Idon'twonder!Theymaybeonusanytimenow.All'swellatthegate,butMorrissaysheheard,orthoughtheheardsomethingatthesideofthechapelopposite,awhileago.

"Windinthebushes?"

"Itmayhavebeen;buthesaystherewasnobreezeatthetime."

Weresumedourseats.

"Bristol,"Isaid,"nowthatthedangergrowsimminent,doesn'titseemtoyoufoolhardyforusthustoexposeourselves?"

"Perhapsitis,"heagreed;"buthowotherwisearewelikelytolearnwhathappenedtoMardenandWest?"

"Theenemymayadoptdifferentmeasuresto-night."

"Ithinknot.Ourdispositionsarethesame,andIcreditthemwithcunningenoughtoknowit.AtthesametimeIcreditourselveswithhavingkepttheexistenceofthesteeltrapscompletelysecret.Theywillassume(soI'vereasoned)thatweintendtorelyentirelyuponoursuperiorvigilance,thereforetheywilltrythesamegameaslastnight."

Silencefell.

Themoonrays,creepingaroundfromtherightoftheavenue,crossingtheshrubberyandencroachinguponthelowwalloftheloggia,nowfloodeditsfloor.Againstthesilvernlight,Bristolappearedtomeinblacksilhouette.Thebreeze,too,seemednowtoblowfromaslightlydifferentdirection.Itcamethroughthewindowsonmyright,beyondwhichlaytheunkemptbusheswhichextendedonthatsidetothewallofthegrounds.

Sowesat,untilthemoonlightpouredfullyinuponBristol'sback.


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Sowesatwhentheclockchimedthehourofone.

Bristolaroseandoncemorewentouttothegate.HehadarrangedtovisitMorris'sposteveryhalf-hour.AgainIexperiencedthenervousdreadthathewouldbeattackedintheavenue;butagainhereturnedunscathed.

"All'swell,"hesaid.

ButfromhistonesIknewthathehadnotforgottenthatitwasatthishourMardenandWesthadsufferedmysteriousattack.

Neitherofus,Ithink,wasdisposedtotalk.Webothwereunwillingtobreakthesilence,wherein,withallourears,welistenedfortheslightestdisturbance.

Andnowmyattentionturnedanewtothecourseoftheslowlycreepingmoonrays.Inmymindanideawasstrugglingfordefinition.Therewassomethingsignificantinthelunarlightingoftheroom.Why,Iaskedmyself,hadtheattackbeenmadeatoneo'clock?Didthetimesignifyanything?Ifso,what?IlookedtowardBristol.

Hisfigure,thechairuponwhichhesat,weresharplyoutlinedbythecoldlight.Thewallbehindme,andtomyleft,wasilluminated

brilliantly;butnolightfelldirectlyuponme.

Theideawastakingshape.FromtheloggiaandtheavenueBristol,Ireasoned,mustbeclearlyvisible.Fromtheshrubberyonthesouth,throughtheotherwindowscouldIbeseen?Yes,silhouettedagainstthemoonlight!

Afaintsound,quiteindescribable,cametomyearsfromsomewhereoutside-beyond.

"MyGod!"whisperedBristol."Didyouhearit?"

"Yes!What?"

"ItmusthavebeenMorris!-"

Bristolwashalfstanding,onehanduponthearmofthechair,theotherconcealed,butgraspinghisrevolverasIwellknew.I,too,hadmyrevolverinmyhand,andasItwistedinmyseat,preparatorytorising,insheernervousnessIdroppedtheweaponuponthecarpet.

Withanexclamationofdismay,Istoopedquicklytorecoverit.

AsIdidsosomethingwhistledpastmyear,socloselyasalmosttotouchit-andstruckwithadullthuduponthewallbeyond!

"Bristol!"Iwhispered.

ButasIraisedmyeyestohimheseemedtocrumpleup,andfelllooselyforwardintothepatchofmoonlightspreaduponthefloor!"Godinheaven!"Isaidaloud.

InacoldsweatoffearIcrouchedthere,forithadbecomeevidenttomethat,asIbent,Iwasentirelyinshadow.


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Therewasarustlinginthebushesontheleft;butbeforeIcouldturninthatdirection,myattentionwasclaimedelsewhere.Overintotheloggialeaptanalmostnakedbrownfigure!

Itwasthatofasmallbutstronglybuiltman,whocarriedashort,exceedinglythickbamboorodinhishand.Myfearwastoogreattoadmitofmyaccuratelyobservinganythingatthattime,butInoticedthatsomekindofleatherthongorloopwasattachedtotheendofthesquatcane.

Thepanicfearofthesupernaturalwasstronglyuponme,andIwasunabletorealizethatthisEasternapparitionwasacreatureoffleshandblood.Withmynervesstrunguptosnappingpoint,Icrouchedwatchinghim.Heenteredtheroom,bendingoverthebodyofBristol.

Ahotbreathfannedmycheek!

Atthatmyoverwroughtnervesbetrayedme.Iutteredastifledcry,lookingupward...andintoapairofgleamingeyeswhichlookeddownintomine!

Asecondbrownman(whomusthaveenteredbyoneofthewindowsoverlookingtheshrubbery)wasbendingoverme!

ScarceknowingwhatIdid,Iraisedmyrevolverandblazedstraightintothedimly-seenface.Downuponmesilentlydroppedanakedbody,andsomethingwarmcameflowingovermyhand.But,knowingmyfoestobeoffleshandblood,feelingmyselfathandgripsnowwithapalpableenemy,Ithrewoffthebody,leaptupandfired,thoughblindly,attheflyingshapethatflashedacrosstheloggia-andwaslostintheshadowpoolsundertheelms.

Uponthedinofmyshootingfellsilencelikeacloak.AmomentIlistened,tense,still;thenIturnedtothetableandlightedthelamp.

InitslightIsawBristollyinglikeadeadman.Closebesidehimwasabigandheavylumpofclay.Ithadbeenshapedasaball,butnowitwasflattenedoutcuriously.Bendingovermyunfortunatecompanionandlearningthat,thoughunconscious,helived,Ilearnt,too,howtheHashishincontrivedtostrikemeninsensiblewithoutapproachingthem;IlearntthattheonewhomIhadshot,wholayinhisbloodalmostonthespotwhereProfessorDeepingoncehadlain,wasanexpertslinger.

Thecontrivancewhichhecarried,asdidtheotherwhohadescaped,wasasling,oftheancientPersiantype.Inplaceofstones,heavylumpsofclaywereused,whichoperatedmuchthesameasasand-bag,whilstenablingtheoperatortoworkfromaconsiderabledistance.

Hidden,overbytheancientchapelitmightbe,oneofthiseviltwainhadstruckdownMorris,theconstable;fromtheshelterofthetrees,frommanyyardsaway,theyhadshottheirsingularmissilesthroughtheopenwindowsatBristolandmyself.Bristolhadsuccumbed,andnow,witharednessshowingthroughhisclose-cuthairimmediatelybehindtherightear,laywhollyunconsciousatmyfeet.

Ithadbeenadivineaccidentwhichhadcausedmetodropmy


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revolver,and,stoopingtorecoverit,unknowinglytofrustratethedesignofthesecondslingeruponmyself.ThelightofthelampfelluponthefaceofthedeadHashishin.Helayforwarduponhishands,crouchingalmost,butwithhisface,hisdreadful,featurelessface,twistedupatmefromunderhisleftshoulder.

Godknowshedeservedhisend;butthatmutilatedfaceisoftengrinning,bloodily,inmydreams.

AndthenasIstood,betweenthathorridexultationwhichisbornofkillingandthepanicwhichthreatenedmeoutofthedarkness,Isawsomethingadvancing...slowly...slowly...fromtheelmenshadestowardtheloggia.

Itwasashape-itwasashadow.Silentitcame-on-andon.Wherethedusklaydeepestitpaused,undefined;forIcouldgiveitnonameofmanorspirit.Butahorrorseemedtoproceedfromitaslightfromalamp.

Igropedaboutthetableneartome,nevertakingmyeyesfromthatsinisterformoutside.Asmyfingerscloseduponthetelephone,distantvoicesandthesoundofrunningfootsteps(ofthosewhohadheardtheshots)camewelcometomyears.

Theformstirred,seemingtoraisephantomarmsinexecration,andastraymoonbeampiercedthedarknessshroudingit.Forafleetinginstantsomethingflashedvenemously.

Thesoundsgrewnearer.IcouldtellthatthenewcomershadfoundMorrislyingatthegate.YetstillIstood,frozenwithuncannyfear,andwatching-watchingthespottowhichthatstraybeamhadpierced;thespotwhereIhadseenthemoongleamupontheringoftheProphet!

CHAPTERX

ATTHEBRITISHANTIQUARIANMUSEUM

AlittlegroupofinterestedspectatorsstoodattheheadofthesquareglasscaseinthecentreoftheloftyapartmentintheBritishAntiquarianMuseumknownastheBurtonRoom(byreasonofthefactthatafinepaintingofSirRichardBurtonfacesyouasyouenter).Afewotherpeoplelookedoncuriouslyfromthelowerendofthecase.Itcontainedbutoneexhibit-adirtyanddilapidatedmarkoob-orslipperofmoroccoleatherthathadoncebeenred.

"Ourlatestacquisition,gentlemen,"saidMr.Mostyn,thecurator,speakinginalowtonetothedistinguishedOrientalscholarsaroundhim."IthasbeenlefttotheInstitutionbythelateProfessorDeeping.HedescribesitinadocumentfurnishedbyhissolicitorasoneoftheslipperswornbytheProphetMohammed,butgivesusnofurtherparticulars.Imyselfcannotquiteplacetherelic."

"NorI,"interruptedoneofthegroup."Itisnotmentionedby


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anyoftheArabianhistorianstomyknowledge-thatis,ifitcomesfromMecca,asIunderstanditdoes."

"IcannotpossiblyassertthatitcomesfromMecca,Dr.Nicholson,"Mostynreplied."TheProfessormayhavetakenitfromAl-Madinah-perhapsfromthemysteriousinnerpassageofthebaldaquinwherethetreasuresoftheplacelie.ButIcanassureyouthatwhatlittlewedoknowofitshistoryissufficientlyunsavoury."

Ifanciedthatthecurator'stiredculturedvoicefalteredashespoke;andnow,withoutapparentreason,hemovedasteptotherightandglancedoddlyalongtheroom.Ifollowedthedirectionofhisglance,andsawatallmaninconventionalmorningdress,irreproachableineverydetail,whoseheadwasinstantlybentuponhiscatalogue.ButbeforehiseyesfellIknewthattheirlongalmondshape,aswellasthepeculiarburntpallorofhiscountenance,wereundoubtedlythoseofanOriental.

"Therehavebeenmysteriousoutragescommitted,Ibelieve,uponmanyofthosewhohavecomeincontactwiththeslipper?"askedoneofthesavants.

"Exactly.ProfessorDeepingwasundoubtedlyamongthevictims.Hisinstructionswereexplicitthattherelicshouldbebroughthere

byaMoslem,butforalongtimewefailedtodiscoveranyMoslemwhowouldundertakethetask;and,asyouareaware,whiletheslipperremainedattheProfessor'shouseattemptsweremadetostealit."

Heceaseduneasily,andglancedatthetallEasternfigure.Ithadedgedalittlenearer;theheadwasstillbowedandthefineyellowwaxenfingersofthehandfromwhichhehadremovedhisglovefumbledwiththecatalogue'sleaves.ItmaywellhavebeenthatinthosedaysIreadmenaceineveryeye,yetIfeltassuredthattheyellowvisitorwaseavesdropping-wasmalignantlyattentivetotheconversation.

Thecuratorspokelowerthanevernow;noonebeyondthecirclecouldpossiblyhearhimasheproceeded-

"WediscoveredanAlexandrianGreekwho,forpersonalreasons,notunconnectedwithmatrimony,hadturnedMoslem!Hecarriedtheslipperhere,stronglyescorted,andplaceditwhereyounowseeit.Nootherhandhastouchedit."(Thespeaker'svoicewasraisedeversoslightly.)"Youwillnotethatthereisarailaroundthecase,topreventvisitorsfromtouchingeventheglass."

"Ah,"saidDr.Nicholsonquizzically,"AndhasanythinguntowardhappenedtoourGraeco-Moslemfriend?"

"PerhapsInspectorBristolcantellrepliedthecurator.

Thestraight,militaryfigureofthewellknownScotlandYardmanwasconspicuousamongthegroupofdistinguished-andmostlyround-shouldered-scholars.

"Sorry,gentlemen,"hesaid,smiling."butMr.AcepuloshasvanishedfromhistobaccoshopinSoho.Iamnotapprehensivethathehadbeenkidnappedoranythingofthatkind.Ithinkratherthatthedateofhisdisappearancetallieswiththatonwhichhecashedhis


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chequeforservicerendered!Hispresentwifeisgettingmostunbeautifullyfat,too."

"Whatprecautions,"someoneasked"arebeingtakentoguardtheslipper?"

"Well,"Mostynanswered,"thoughwehaveonlythebarewordofthelateProfessorDeepingthattheslipperwasactuallywornbyMohammed,ithascertainlyanenormousvalueaccordingtoMoslemideas.TherecanbenodoubtthatagroupoffanaticsknownasHashishinareinLondonengagedinanextraordinaryendeavourtorecoverit."

Mostyn'svoicesanktoanimpressivewhisper.MygazesoughtagainthetallEasternvisitorandwasheldfascinatedbythebaffledstraininginthosevelveteyes.ButthelidsfellasIlooked;andtheeffectwasthatofafiresuddenlyextinguished.IdeterminedtodrawBristol'sattentiontotheman.

"Accordingly,"Mostyncontinued,"wehaveplaceditinthisroom,fromwhichIfancyitwouldpuzzlethemostaccomplishedthieftoremoveit."

Theparty,myselfincluded,staredabouttheplace,ashewenton

toexplain-

"Wehavefourlargewindowshere;asyousee.TheBurtonRoomoccupiestheendofawing;thereisonlyonedoor;itcommunicateswiththenextroom,whichinturnopensintothemainbuildingbyanotherdooronthelanding.Weareonthefirstfloor;thesetwoeastwindowsaffordaviewofthelawnbeforethemainentrance;thosetwowestonesfaceOrpingtonSquare;allareheavilybarredasyousee.Duringthedaythereisamanalwaysondutyinthesetworooms.Atnightthatcommunicatingdoorislocked.ShortoferectingaladderinfullvieweitheroftheSquareorofGreatOrchardStreet,filingthroughfourironbarsandbreakingthewindowandthecase,Ifailtoseehowanybodycangetatthe

slipperhere."

"Ifaduplicatekeytothesafe-"anothervoicestruckin;IknewitafterwardforthatofProfessorRhys-Jenkyns.

"Impossibletoprocureone,Professor,"criedMostyn,hiseyessparklingwithanalmostboyishinterest."Mr.Cavanaghhereholdsthekeysofthecase,underthewillofthelateProfessorDeeping.Theyareofforeignworkmanshipandmorethanalittlecomplicated."

Theeyesofthesavantswereturnednowinmydirection.

"Isupposeyouhavetheminaplaceofsafety?"saidDr.Nicholson.

"Theyareatmybankers,"Ireplied.

"ThenIventuretopredict,"saidthecelebratedOrientalist,"thattheslipperoftheProphetwillresthereundisturbed."

Helinkedhisarmintothatofabrotherscholarandthelittlegroupstraggledaway,Mostynaccompanyingthemtothemainentrance.

ButIsawInspectorBristolscratchinghischin;helookedverymuch


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asifhedoubtedtheaccuracyofthedoctor'sprediction.HehadalreadyhadsomeexperienceoftheimplacabledevotionoftheMoslemgrouptothistreasureoftheFaithful.

"Therealdangerbegins,"Isuggestedtohim"whenthegeneralpublicisadmitted-afterto-day,isitnot?"

"Yes.Allto-day'speoplearespeciallyinvited,orareusingspecialinvitationcards,"hereplied."Thepeoplewhoreceivedthemoftengivetheirticketsawaytothosewhowillbelikelyreallytoappreciatetheopportunity."

IlookedaroundforthetallOriental.Heseemedtohavevanished,andforsomereasonIhesitatedtospeakofhimtoBristol;formygazefelluponanexcessivelythin,keen-facedmanwhosecuriouslywide-openeyesmetminesmilingly,whosegraysuitspokeStein-Bloch,whosefeltwasaBossraw-edgeunmistakablyofakindthatonlyPhiladelphiacanproduce.Attheheightoftheseasonsuchvisitorsarenotrare,butthisonehadanoddpersonality,andmoreoverhiskeengazewasrakingtheplacefromceilingtofloor.

WherehadImethimbefore?TothebestofmyrecollectionIhadneverseteyesuponthemanpriortothatmoment;andsincehewassopalpablyanAmericanIhadnoreasonforassuminghimtobe

associatedwiththeHashishin.ButIremembered-indeed,Icouldneverforget-how,intherecentpast,IhadmetwithanapparentassociateoftheMoslemsasevidentlyEuropeanasthiscuriouslyalertvisitorwasAmerican.Moreover...therewassomethingtauntinglyfamiliar,yetelusive,aboutthatgauntface.

WasitnotupontheeveofthedeathofProfessorDeepingthatthegirlwiththevioleteyeshadfirstintrudedherfascinatingpersonalityintomytangledaffairs?Patently,shehadthenbeenseekingtheholyslipper,andbycrafthadendeavouredtobendmetoherwill.ThenhadInotencounteredheragain,meetingtheglanceofherunforgettablevioleteyesoutsideaStrand,hotel?Theencounterhadpresageda,furtherattemptupontheslipper!

Certainlysheactedonbehalfofsomeoneinterestedinit;andsinceneitherBristolnorIcouldconceiveofanyoneseekingtopossessthebloodstainedthingexceptthemysteriousleaderoftheHashishin-HassanofAleppo-asacreatureofthatawfulfanaticbeingIhadwrittenherdown.

Why,then,ifthemysteriousEasternemployedaEuropeangirl,shouldhenotalsoemployanAmericanman?Itmightwellbethattherelic,inenteringthedoorsoftheimpregnableAntiquarianMuseum,hadpassedwherethediabolicalartsoftheHashishinhadnopowertoreachit-wherethebeautyofWesternwomenandthecraftofEasternmanwereequallyuselessweapons.PerhapsHassan'scampaignwasenteringuponanewphase.

Wasitashirkingofplaindutyonmypartthatwish-thatever-presenthope-thatthemurderouscompanyoffanaticswhohadpursuedthestolenslipperfromitsancientresting-placetoLondon,shouldsucceedinrecoveringit?Ileaveyoutojudge.

ThecrescentofIslamfadesto-dayandgrowspale,butthereareyetfierceBelievers,alustforthebloodoftheinfidel.Insuchastheseafaithdiesthedeathofanadder,andismorevenomousinitsdeath-throesthaninthefullpulseoflife.Theghastly


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indiscretionofProfessorDeeping,inriflingaMoslemSacristy,hadledtothemutilationofmanywho,unwittingly,hadtouchedthelootedrelic,hadbroughtabouthisownend,hadestablishedaleagueoffantasticassassinsintheheartofthemetropolis.

OnlyoncehadIseenthevenerableHassanofAleppo-astately,gentleoldman;butIknewthatthevelveteyescouldblazeintoapassionatefurythatseemedtoscorchwhomitfellupon.IknewthatthesaintlyHassanwasSheikhoftheHashishin.Andfamiliaritywiththatdreadfulorganizationhadbynomeansbredcontempt.Iwastheholderofthekey,andmyfearofthefanaticsgrewlikeamagicmango,darkenedthesunlightofeachday,andfilledthenightwithindefinabledread.

You,whohavenotreadpoorDeeping's"AssyrianMythology",cannotpictureacreaturewithahuge,distortedhead,andatiny,dwarfedbody-athinginhuman,yethuman-amanstuntedandmalformedbythecruelartsofbrothermen-athingobnoxioustolife,withbutonepassion,thepassiontokill.Youcannotconceiveoftheyearsofagonyspentbythatcreaturestrappedtoawoodenframe-inordertopreventhisgrowth!Youcannotconceiveofhisfiercehatredofallhumanity,inflamedtomadnessbytheEasterndrug,hashish,anddirectedagainsttheenemiesofIslam-theholdersoftheslipper-bythewonderfulpowerofHassanofAleppo.

ButIhadnotonlyreadofsuchbeings,Ihadencounteredone!

AndhewasbutoneofthemanyinstrumentsoftheHashishin.Perhapsthegirlwiththevioleteyeswasanother.WhatelsetobedreadedHassanmightholdinstoreforusIcouldnotconjecture.

DoyouwonderthatIfeared?DoyouwonderthatIhoped(Iconfessit),hopedthattheslippermightberecoveredwithoutfurtherbloodshed?

CHAPTERXI

THEHOLEINTHEBLIND

Isteppedovertothedoor,whereaconstablestoodonduty.

"YouobservedatallEasterngentlemanintheroomawhileago,officer?"

"Idid,sir."

"Howlongishegone?"

Themanstartedandbegantopeeraboutanxiously.

"That'safunnything,sir,"hesaid."Iwaskeepingmyeyesspeciallyuponhim.InoticedhimhoveringaroundwhileMr.Mostynwasspeaking;butalthoughIcouldhaveswornhehadn'tpassedout,he'sgone!"

"Youdidn'tnoticehisdeparture,then?"


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"I'msorrytosayIdidn't,sir."

Themanclearlywasperplexed,butIfoundsmallmatterforwonderintheepisode.IhadmorethansuspectedthestrangertobeaspyofHassan's,andmembersofthatstrangecompanywereelusiveaswill-o'-the-wisps.

Bristol,atthefarendoftheroom,wassignallingtome.Iwalkedbackandjoinedhim.

"Comeoverhere,"hesaid,inalowvoice,"andpretendtoexaminethesethings."

Heglancedsignificantlytohisleft.Followingtheglance,myeyesfellupontheleanAmerican;hewaspeeringintothereceptaclewhichheldtheholyslipper.

Bristolledmeacrosstheroom,andwebothfacedthewallandbentoveraglasscase.Someyellownewspapercuttingsdescribingitscontentshungaboveit,andthesewepretendedtoread.

"DidyounoticethatmanIglancedat?"

"Yes."

"Well,that'sEarlDexter,thefirstcrookinAmerica!Ssh!Onlygoesinonverybigthings.WehadwordattheYardhewasintown;butwecan'ttouchhim-wecanonlykeepoureyesonhim.Heusuallytravelsopenlyandinhisownname,butthistimeheseemstohaveslippedoverquietly.Healwaysdressesthesameandhasjustgivenme'goodday!'TheycallhimTheStetsonMan.Weheardthismorningthathehadbookedtwofirst-classsailingsintheOceanic,leavingforNewYorkthreeweekshence.Now,Mr.Cavanagh,whatishisgame?"

"Ithasoccurredtomebefore,Bristol,"Ireplied,"andyoumay

rememberthatImentionedtheideatoyou,thattheremightbeathirdpartyinterestedintheslipper.Whyshouldn'tEarlDexterbethatthirdparty?"

"Becauseheisn'tafool,"rappedBristolshortly."EarlDexterisn'tamantogatheruptroubleforhimself.Morelikelyifhisvisithasanythingreallytodowiththeslipperhe'sretainedbyHassanandCompany.Museum-breakingmaybeabitoutofthelineofHashishin!"

Thislattersuggestiondovetailedwithmyownideas,andoddlyenoughtherewassomethingpositivelywholesomeinthenotionofthestraightforwardcrookednessofamereswellcracksman.

Thenhappenedasingularthing,andonethateffectuallyconcludedourwhisperedcolloquy.Fromthetopendoftheroom,beyondthecasecontainingtheslipper,oneoftheyellowblindscamedownwitharun.

Bristolturnedinaflash.Itwasnotaremarkableaccident,andmightportendnomorethanaloosecord;butwhen,havingwalkedrapidlyuptheroom,westoodbeforetheloweredblind,itappearedthatthiswasnoaccidentatall.


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Somefourfeetfromthebottomoftheblind(orfivefeetfromthefloor)apieceoflinenafootsquarehadbeenneatlyslashedout!

Iglancedaroundtheroom.Severalfashionablydressedvisitorswerelookingidlyinourdirection,butIcouldfastenuponnooneofthemasalikelyperpetrator.

Bristolstaredatmeinperplexity.

"Whoonearthdidit,"hemuttered,"a

Documents

The Quest of the Sacred Slipper (1919)