“I anticipated you there, Mr. Craig. Chancing to know a smart stenographer who lives down on Superior Street, I sent word to him early this morning, and he came to see me. Half an hour’s time reduced the jumble to sense. There were a few things he could not make out, but on the whole Jack Phœnix did admirably, considering that he worked under such disadvantages. I have it written out, but can tell you briefly in narrative shape what these men have discovered, and the plan they have arranged to satisfy the old Turk’s crazy desire for revenge.” “That will answer just as well, and save time,” replies Aleck, seating himself. The operator produces a box of prime Conchas. “Have a weed, Craig, and I’ll give you a synopsis of the game for to-night’s desperate play, which of course is to be carried out within the classic shades of the Midway Plaisance.” When both of them are comfortably settled, and the cigars pronounced excellent, Samson Cereal opens fire upon the peculiar subject that must next demand their attention--the plotting of the Oriental, Aroun Scutari. “How the devil they learned of it--except through that treacherous valet of mine, who has, it seems, gone hand and glove with this pirate, on account of some Turkish dancer he’s fallen in love with--I’m at a loss to know; but they seem to understand that I have an engagement in the Midway with two gentlemen this evening. They are bent on seeing it by electric light. What their object is I really don’t know, but I suspect they mean to reproduce something of the sort, it has proved so popular--perhaps on the stages of the East; it may be within the grounds of the Mid-winter Exposition at San Francisco. That’s not my business. They are both friends, and I’m under obligations to them. “Since they request me to accompany them, I have agreed. Besides, I never tire of seeing the Congress of Nations, though, truth to tell, as you yourself know, my boy, I have no reason to look upon anything Turkish with love. “This duty takes me there, and by the exercise of a little diplomacy I may be inveigled into some trap, for there are many unsuspected ones in that same Plaisance, don’t forget it. This is only the prelude. Listen to what follows, and for devilish ingenuity it takes the cake: “The valet--I ought to call him varlet, for if ever a treacherous dog lived, it is this same Anthony Wayne whom I have loaded with favors--this valet now plays his miserable part in the drama. “He is a penman--he can imitate my fist to perfection, and I have more than once in a joke plainly told him this faculty and gift would get him into trouble yet. He will write a note in my hand, and himself be the bearer to Dorothy.” “The deuce! does that miserable Turk still hope to run away with her? I see very plainly I--that is, your pardon, sir, someone--will have to wring his neck for him yet,” bursts out Aleck with much animation, and not a little confusion at seeing the smile on Samson’s face.