The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-30

malefactors is much troubled by insom-
mia. While in camp, one night. in the
jungle. being unable to sleep, he st"olls
along an unused path. He suddenly comes
upon party of men before fire. lie
listens to their conversation. They prove
to be a retired merchant. Valid Ali, a
veteran soldier, Jan Khan. and three 9TH
ers, who possess the secret of prolonSinS
life. They are discussing the wisdom cf
gaining possession of certain secret treas
ure. Esdai" draws near to listen, STUN
bles and fails in front of the party. He Is
seized, but is released on Valid Alfs al
vice. Esdailo gives his word to remain
silent and Valid Ali explains to him the
finding Of a marvellous powder. made
by wizard, which prolongs life.
PART ".
at CHANGED at last" continued
Wajid Ali. that I fell in with Jan
Khan here. and | found a motive for
living. Jan Khan is a soldier he has
fought and campaigned more than
most men. He has been the soldier
of fortune. and fortune has paid him
well 1t happened long ago that he was
one of the hodyguard of the reigning
prince of Gwalior You know the story
of the Gwalior treasure-how they
searched for it not many years since,
digging and tapping and mining; to
discover nothing. The maharajah and
and his people We're very clever, but
they We're looking in the wrong place.
The treasurer was hidden too securely
for them to discover: but there is one
man who knows where it is, and that
man is here
"Ay | know" said Jan Khan, his
deep voice booming in suddenly. Il
was one of the men that buried it. in
the dead of night. working like moles
in the darkness. We We're promised a
great reward, and we We're picked men.
| can picture it now-the fear and con-
fusion that there was in the palace,
the word of invasion coming ever near
or and nearer. and the calling of us
to secrecy in the maharajah's presence.
So W. buried it. and we had our re-
ward. by the intervention of Allah |
heard word whispered that meant
death. and when the work was done |
left everything and fled into the night.
There was an order that we We're to
get our pay for what we had done.
They went-the others-and they did
not return. 1t is not well to be trust
ed with the secrets of princes.
He relapsed into silence again.
You see,' said Valid Ali, what he
speaks is no lie. ] met this man, and
foregathered with him, and out of our
two minds-mne for the most part
we formed this thing. Here are two
great gifts, riches and life, the things
that hold power and greatness II they
are used Alright. in our hands. and it
= is to our honor that we have not squan-
dered them. viii you hear the
end sahib?"
Since | have given my word. l may
as We'll hear all,' said Esdaile.
'Our plan. then, is to he rulers of the
land: to pick, as the time goes on, the
wisest men and join them to us so that
their intellect may work with us. We
have time enough, and | see the time
coming when you English will let the
empire slip from your fingers, and it
will be well for the man that is at hand
to catch it. You are eaten up with dis
sensions at home, and your speakers
and governors in England do not know
the worth of what they hold. Why
there are many of them that are ready
to let it go even now. Is it not true
that even the Lat sahib is made to
listen to the babble of little men and
obey them, by your laws, so that he is
made laughing stock to his servants?
DO they not come here and listen to the
idle tales of Bengalis and schOomas-
ters, and go away full of them, to work
mischief? oh, yes, I know it. This
thing was not when l was a young
bac nf Iata nd
the worth of what they hold. Why,
we We're to rise up tomorrow these
fools that you set to make your laws
would applaud us, though it We're to
their shame and the downfall of your
empire. They are pleased when a
Bengali stands up and speaks seditiOn:
they put them even to rule over us, the
children of the true faith, We ruled
the land before ever you came, and we
will rule it again, for it was made for
US. You that govern here are good men
and wise, for the most part, but your
time is nearly over. You are far away
from the heart of your country, and
the seditiOn-mOngers have it all their
own way. Who cares that you come
here and die in harness? They only
fling mud at you when you are not
there to reply to them. Your work is
good, it will endure, but you will not
reap the benefit. for you will he har-
assed and denied even while you do
it, and then you will be forgotten. All.
sahib. ! am not without knowledge.
To you I say-be one of us. Leave this
working for masters that scoff at you
and join us; you will not find us un-
grateful"
Esdaile rose and looked round upon
the little gathering.
Five men--and the greatest power
in the world" he said. DO you know
the people you would turn against!
The babblers at Westminster are not
the voice of the English. Your words
are as meaningless as a madman's."
''The bablers rule. though. while
you concern yourselves only about your
word" said Valid Ali, with a chuckle
''They have leisure enough to misgov-
ern. Your hands are tied, and you
know it. Five men? Yes, it is few
enough, but there will be more pres.
entity. l have taken twenty years to
choose these men. and l have no,
chosen them foolishly. Jan Khan
here is a soldier: he can fight, and he
can stir up other men to fight. Aim
uddin yonder Is a man versed in the
knowledge of ways and means, and OF
all the mysteries of money. He shall
be our financier. The two remaining
have silver tongues to charm men
Their work has already begun, and
there are many who hang upon theil
words even now. And you, sahib"--
TURNING cnlIpn1y-'sShal1 ha -
too! You shall organize and watch
and feel the pulse of the country with
me. Five men only! Did not an idle
tale of some discontented sepoy set the
country blazing forty years ago, and
Il-- IL