The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-29

q peaceful and public-spirited Mussul-
man. He lived in a ramshackle "koti"
on the outskirts of the town. The other
was a man with whom Esdaile had once
seen him riding in Ramnaga, and OF
whom he had heard some talk as one
of the veterans of the old army. He
had the reputation of having been a
brilliant and gallant soldier in his time.
Both, however, were extremely old, and
the present generation took but small
account Of them. The other three gray
boards were unknown to the watcher.
Valid Ali withdrew his lips from the
hoolSahs mouth and looked about him
with an air Of authority. He was
withered and wrinkled with years, and
bent about the shoulders. but his eye
was as bright as young mans and
his face wore look of keen intelligence.
About him, as about the others, there
was - singular air of vitality that struck
Esdaile ns curious. Evidently the hand
Of tirne had been laid very lightly upon
them. There was not assign of senil-
ity or decay in the alert aspect of the
party.
''Pile up the fire, my brother. We
need warmth in the darkness of this
jungle. II it were not that walls have
ears would have called you together
in the city. And now to serious discus
sion. for the night is far advanced"
Ore Of the three unknown shuffled
mp with grunt and pulled the fire
together. Then. as he squatted on his
launches again. he addressed Valid Ali
with querulous accent:
1T is always discussion, nothing fur
ther. Are we to deliberate through
century--we who have the key to so
much within our grasp?"
The leader turned upon him fiercely,
and Esdaile saw his eyes flash with
enger.
"Havc chosen you graybeards only
20 md Tint You are Still beset BY the
follies OF youth? Will you take the bit
between your teeth. Wazir-ud-din, like
headstrong colt? We you sayl BIT
for me you would be rotting in your
grave at this moment, ungrateful dog
that You arel II is ] that have labored
and travelled of this secret OF ours for
so lorg. It is but patience ask of you.
Patience! Who but fool could not
ebide in patience once the fear Of death
was banlshed from his thoughts? 1t
Is the flight of time that makes men
unable to brook delay. and that is no
longer anything to YOU"
THAT Is true enough, my father"
said the other, rather sulkily. "You for
get, however. We owe indeed much To
you, but 70 our friend Jan Khan here,
also n. little. But for him your dis
covery had been as water poured into
sand You may give man this 'dewa'
OF yours that will keep from him all
mortal diseases-Allah be witness IL is
marvellous thing!-but without money
TO make life sweet he would be as well
IN tSe grave when he had lived his al |
Iotted span. Jan Khan tells us OF the
treasure that only needs a couple OF
hours work TO unfold. and yet you hold (
Us back and bid us let Il be. Is IL that
you are afraid Of the blood that has
been spilled upon it?"
"Ay. that Is well-spokcn." broke in
a third speaker. "jan Khan did much:
De fought. he went through much blood |
shed. and at the risk OF his life he
marked down the hiding place OF the
owalior treasure. And now. when we
haAe but e--t~etciT- out our hands 10
Frespryounre angry AZ onr lmpniicuce.
lo,i ei'osc rs out for your own purpose.
ana have proved MS good raen and true.
ana yet yon allow us no voice in the
matter. Besides. my father. you NAV
be waiting for an impossibility. and
meanwhile there is 70 much that money
san bring"
rTtcre are fhree fhsnss A.. .-