The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-25

bazaar. and in the ordinary course the cook
houses would have been locked up and left
TO themselves till il was time 10 prepare TIE
mems breakfasts in the morning.
Tonight. however, 1t appeared that the
bobaji khana belonging TO q Company was
to be in request for a rendezvous. Inc gong
at the quarter guard had just struck O.
when two men came round the corner OF ulS
had found the sergeant quite willing to allow
him to witness his interview with the astro!-
oyer, and even eager 10 adopt course
which he evidently regarded certain TO
obtain another convert 10 the mysuc arr.
For Ferguson placed more reliance ina
ever on his preceptor Rajab. seeing that the
scrutiny of the ammunition and of the reg
listers had failed TO yield further inforna-
missing from the company chest. but that
| every man had properly accounted Tor each
The color sergeant ushered his officer into
! the cookhouse and pointed out how he could
see and hear everything that passed Dy
stationing himself Ut an unglazed wlnoo"
''The chiei has eyes like searchlights sir"
| he said as he prepared TO go outside; sac
| We must cen keep yourself in the shadow
| Mayhap he would refuse TO display ms
| quality if so be as he thocht he was GER
How did you first pick this chap up
| Ferguson" asked Dalzell, settling himself
| in his hiding place.
The Sergeant paused on the Threshold
| and for a moment seemed puzzled TO find
| an answer. 1T was he that picked me up:
he replied at last Z was walking in the
! bazaar month back and he came up and
! said in Hindustani he should be pleased to
read me the voice of the stars They a ken
| in barracks that l am partial TO sperm
after spirits and sic things: Mayhap he
| had heard it frae some of the lads But
| whisht!-here he comes"
! Feguson stepped into the open, shutting
| the door behind him. and DalZen crouched
| by the window to watch for the upShot or
/ events. He had not long to wait. Half
| minute later the color sergeant came into
| view. conversing in Hindustani with a tall.
| he
| carefully arranged turban proclaimed him
| to be of better substance than the usual
| run of mendicant jugglers. AS they came
| into line with the window Ferguson halted
| and suggested that there, under cover or the
cookhouse, they would be free from obser-
vation-a proposition TO which Rajab. after
| hasty glance around gave his assent;
The moonlight fell full on his face, and
away thought he had never seen such Won
| derful eyes before. There was nothing
shifty or snakelike about them; they were
| calm and steadfast enough, but they glowed
| like two balls Of liquid fire.
And what does the Sergeant sahib order
Rajab. when they had finished their greet
| ings 1.-The moon is in the ninth house,
and the. period is very favorable for seeing
SHOW me the countenance of the man I
most desire to see." replied Ferguson,
ten years Indian service had familiarized
| him.
Taking phial from the folds of his gar
| ment, Rajab poured the inky contents into
| the sergeant's outstreched palm, bidding
him at the same time fix his eyes on his
strange dreamy look spread over Fergu-
| sons face. while his eyes began to wear a
dazed. scared expression.
| THE beggar is hypnOtZing him. thought
the lieutenant to himself. Il wonder If
| But no; 1t cannot be-
His train of ideas was interrupted by the
| voice of the astrologer addressing the ser
| geant in tones of low but peremptory COM
| mand. There is a Colonies parade to-
| morrow" began Rajab You will pro-
vide yourself with two rounds of ball cart
| ridge from the company chest. In the
course of the drill you will aim at Macleod
| unobserved. If the first bullet fails its mark
you will use the second. And you will dis
| miss from your mind all knowledge of what
| you are doing and whence YOU received
| these instructions. Except that you will
carry out these behests, you will be in all
| lieve that the ball cartridges which you
| fire at the Colonel sahib are blank, both
before and after the deed. Will you do my
| bidding?'
| Dalzell. listening horror struck, heard
| Fergusons voice make answer in far-off
Now look into your hand" said Rajab.
The color sergeant obeyed.
| What do you behold?
| II behold. my own face"
| That Will serve as well as another" pro-
| ceeded the juggler removing his gaze for
| lower world"
Slowly and heavily Ferguson blinked his
| way back TO sense and sef-control again.
for recovery he asked in his original servile
tones: And was vision vouchsafed to the
No" was the reply, at least not the one
| sought. / beheld but my own face re-
fiected in my, hand. You have failed to-
Something you heard while you were
looking at the fluid may have distracted
| YOU" suggested the native.
| 1t couldn't have been that" replied the
saa IA 81: fasS$ 81 mo-
not of man but of the stars, and their
poor servant is not responsible. Perchance
on the next occasion they will be more
is getting late and l have other work to
do" And with a deferential salaam to the
sergeant he turned and glided away toward
the native city.
Ferguson waited till he had gone some
way and then joined Dalzell at the door of
the cookhouse. The two walked towards
the barracks together. The lieutenant did
not speak; he was thinking with all his
IA failure tonight, sir" remarked the
sergeant, after waiting vainly for his su-
perior's comment: My ain face. too. Had
weel haze jok it mair reasonably
| They had reached the point where Dali
| zelPS way would lead to the mess. Get
back to your quarters" he said rapidly.
| You must not be missed. 1 am sorry our
errand has, been fruitless. but l did not
expect much from 1t. Good night" and in
| his hurry to rid himself of the man he
| wished to spare he almost pushed the other
away. Ferguson disappeared into the bar
| rack, wondering at his officers haste to
| return to mess.
The moment he was out Of sight Dalzell
| changed his course and, running back be-
| hind the barracks, started in pursuit OF
| the vile wretch whose scheme he NEAR :
to Illustrate. His mind was made up. He
| must overtake Rajab at all hazards and
| compel him to come before the Colonel
| whose first feeling, he felt sure would Re
| sympathy for the innocent Instrument
| How to punish the criminal without lettinc
| Ferguson know how nearly he had slain
| his beloved chief was nut for Macleod to
crack: but Dalzell knew he would move
| heaven and earth to manage it, for to a
| man of the color sergeant's temperament a.
| revelation OF his unconscious act would
| mean madness suicide.
| The young officer came up with the fit
| ting white figure just beyond the Jail where
the road begins and the desert gives away
| gradually TO the habitations Of half-caste
| camp-followers. The man saw that he was
| pursued, and quickene6 his pace but Dali
| zalrs long legs gave thu quarry no chance
| Two minutes after P2jab knew that he
| was followed the Lieutenants grip was on
his shoulder. Come back with me, Raiab."
said Dalzell quietly; you are wanted at
| the ColonePs bungalow"
| The Surati was painting violently, but he
| appeared in no way disconnected, and tried
| hard to fix his captor with those fatal eyes
| Dalzell. knowing his danger. kept his own
| ayerted; he thought it advisable too to
| show the revolver he had brought with
| him. Rajab bowed meekly and obeyed but