Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-09
CHAPTER II.

sang the noophytes outside, unconscious
hat to their master that end had come.
CHAPTER II.
BLOWS IN THE DARK.
A bachelor establishment in India in |
wolves the employment of staff of SER
wants which would make Pail Mall dan
dy stare. The man who squeezes the
lemon into your coffee would scorn to
brush your boots and the obsequious
gentleman in dhotee, who announces with
n salaam that your bath is prepared,
would consider it downright nffront to
be told to sling up the hammock for your
midday snooze.
So Cecil Chesterton's establishment,
though considered very moderate one
in Columbia, consisted of twelve native
who, after the Asiatic fashion,
professed themselves "the slaves
of his august eyebrow" and practically
slurred every service they were asked to
perform.
There was only one in whom Chester
ton placed the least reliance. This was
his chief personal attendant, man called
Mybrea, who brought no ,superfuous
show Of zeal to the performance of his
duties, but did them quietly and deity.
He had been recommended by native
Singhalese gentleman, who had an APP
pointment in the Treasury Office, and
whose guests Chesterton and his fellow
officials not unfrequently were. But
whose service Mybrea; had been in before
he qualified himself for the Sahib Bahia
dur's recommendation, the young Eng
lishman never troubled to in quire.
The death of Sakra Mum WAS blow
Cecil did not easily recover, and for many
weeks he joined in no sociable or festive
brea's quiet assiduity was very soothing,
and he succeeded in establishing himself
securely in his masters good graces.
Cecil was naturally unsuspicious, and
he had no idea of the deep-seated treach-
cry of the Singhalese temperament.
"There is little errand want you to
execute for me after breakfast, Mybrea,"
he said, one morning, while seated at his
simple rejection of bread, cakes, and M
tive fruits. 81 want you to go to the
goldsmith. Behrow-Ben, and ask him
when the iewel-casket will be finished
which ordered month ago."
1t was noon, and Chesterton was swing
ing lazily in his hammock under peepul
tree that grew on the cool side of his
house, when Mybrea approached him with
the usual salaam and small parcel.
"Behrow-Beu sends salutations to the
august Sahib," said the native, present
ing the package, land he Graves the mer-
ciful Sahibs pardon for the time that has
been consumed in making the trinket
worthy of so exalted wearer."
Cecil did not laugh ; he was too nccus-
toned to Asiatic hyperbole.
at really is not bad" he remarked,
after close examination of the tiny elab
orately-chased gold box, which was fitted
externally with n ring to attach to hia
| watch-chian, and was so constructed in.
side MS to form n kind of socket and frame
within which the Black Pearl would be
at once perfectly displayed and absolute
ly secure.
The price of the casket was forty ru
PEGS, which sum Mr.. Chesterton told into
his servants hand, with directions to set
tie with the jeweller at once.
Mybrea's thin, dark face looked NOR,
secret than ever as he departed, apparent
to obey his masters behcst. But in
stead of going direct to the jewellers, 1t
went into the house, and mounting In
stairs, stationed himself IN the recess O
n window not many feet above Chester
toms head. His cunning won its antici
pated reward.
As soon MS Cecil supposed himsel
alone, he took from his linen waistcoat
pocket the silk bag that for so many year
had lain within the robe of the Buddhis
monk, and proceeded to fit the Blacl
Pearl into its new hiding place. 1t too
some moments to adjust j. nicely, and, n
a matter of course, Mybrea witnessed til
whole manGuvre.
His usually calm countcnance shove
signs of strong excitement when he turn
ed away swapping his long thin fingers
and muttcring aloud, "Mybrea himsel
will be Sahib soon."
The man was born in that section {
Madras which once belonged to tho Ma
harajahs of Jodhpore-a title still II
, tanned by their descendants, who annua
J " draw an immense sum from the BIRTHS
treasury. When boy, Mybrea ha
served in the zenana of the present Nal
araiah, and had Cleaned from the gossi
of cuuuchs the legendary history of til
lost pearl. If he could restore it to II
original owners, he knew his forum
would be made and he had no scruplt
to deter him from making the attempt
: Notwithstanding these facts, n mont
; went by, during which Cecil Chcsterto
/ slept undsturbed with the talisman
Jodhpore under his pillow, though M.
= brea occupied the adjoining apartment.
5 The astnte and patient Asiatic can ba
i ance the chance of failure against Il
: probability of success, and is rarely
l impetuous for plumber as to imperil h
neck when safety can be secured by wa
3 ing.
l. Mybrea had decided that his mast
g should be robbed by deputy, at tin
" and place that would ensure him again
k suspicion, and this favorable combinati'
& of circumstances had to be waited for.
It Sakra NUM- had been dead nearly thr
j. months, when his pupil and legatee !
n ceived IN invitation to an entertaining
/; given by the under-treasurer, Bahad'
T. in honor of his sons marriage. 1t "
m understood that the bride came from
dia but as it is not etiquette among o
as entails to converse about their wiz
at Chesterton learned no particulars c.
corning the lady's name or quality.
'' (ro he Continued)