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