The Charmingly Clever Cousin Read Online Free PDF

in the room, you could place a message in front of the ball to be read later.
    With Selime carrying Hassim, the princesses hurried along one hallway and down another, past Ahmed’s library. But when they reached the open doorway of the Crystal Ball Room, they gasped. The marble tabletop stood empty. The crystal ball was gone!
    Footsteps sounded behind the princesses, and they turned around. Yusuf stood in the hallway. As they watched, he drew his sword.
    Selime’s cheeks flushed. “Just where is my crystal ball?” she demanded.
    Yusuf smiled. Running a thumb over thesword’s blade, he said, “I’m afraid your crystal ball was looking a bit dull. I sent it away to be polished.” He motioned toward her with the tip of his sword. His dark eyes narrowed. “What was the message you wanted to send? Must have been important for all of you to come at once.”
    Fatima bit her lip. He mustn’t know they suspected he was up to no good! So, in a lighthearted voice, she said, “Oh, that’s too bad. We asked Selime if we could have a party next week, and we wanted to send messages home to have our best dresses delivered.”
    Yusuf seemed to relax a little. “Ah—a splendid idea, but I’m afraid a party right now is out of the question.”
    â€œBut why?” asked Lysandra, pretending to pout.
    â€œBecause next week I’m having the Grand Hall and the Ballroom completely remodeled.”Yusuf glanced quickly in Selime’s direction. “I’m going to bring this palace up-to-date.”
    â€œHow nice,” said Selime, with faked enthusiasm.
    That afternoon Selime kept Yusuf busy, pretending to be interested in his plans for remodeling. Meanwhile, the princesses holed up in Fatima’s room, making their own plans. “We must find Ahmed,” said Fatima, “before it’s too late.”
    â€œShall we travel to King Murad’s palace then?” asked Tansy.
    Fatima shook her head. “I’m not sure he’s there.”
    â€œWhere else would he be?” Tansy asked.
    â€œI don’t know,” said Fatima. “But I suspect Yusuf is keeping him prisoner somewhere. I think he went to see Ahmed last night. That’s why he took food from the kitchen.”
    Elena nodded. “Exactly what I was thinking.”
    â€œBut there are four of us,” Lysandra reminded them. “Five with Selime. We can overpower Yusuf—maybe tie him up. Then we can force him to tell us where Ahmed is.”
    Fatima thought about Yusuf’s sharp sword. “Even if we could capture him, he’d only lie. And we’re not completely sure we’re right, anyway.” She paused to think. “I say we stick with our earlier plan and follow him when he sneaks out tonight.”
    â€œ If he sneaks out tonight,” said Tansy.
    â€œRight,” they all agreed.
    Â 
    That night the princesses kept watch for Yusuf from Fatima’s window. Midnight came and went, and still they hadn’t seen him.
    â€œMaybe he left the palace a different way,” Lysandra said after a while.
    â€œOr maybe he’s not leaving at all tonight,” said Tansy.
    Fatima had to admit that either scenario was possible. Still, she tried not to let herself think the worst—that there was no need for Yusuf to bring food because Ahmed was already dead.
    Finally, however, they heard a soft whinny, and Yusuf’s black stallion appeared from around the side of the palace. In a few more minutes, Yusuf came out with a bundle, stuffed it into his saddlebag, and was off.
    The princesses wrapped cloaks around their clothes, then swooped through the open window on Fatima’s carpet. The moon lit their way as they followed Yusuf. His horse skirted the village and galloped into the countryside. As she flew above an olive orchard, Fatima saw Yusuf glance over his shoulder at the sky. Her heart beating fast, she skimmed behind a tree,