The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-11
THE MYSTERY 1T MAMMA.


charge of the outpost at Mamma, where
our duty consisted in keeping the roads
ope1 and looking after the Dacoits who in
tested the country for miles round Lower
Burmah was quiet enough. Prendergast
had done his work, and done 1t well. Thee
baw was a prisoner, and the country quiet;
but acts of secret repisal, robbery and muir
der were of daily occurrence. and it was
to check these that / had been sent up
country with handful of loyal Sikhs.
Our little camp was dull enough; our
sole recreation occasional shooting expe-
diuons and more frequent whist. Some
times we received visits from Wrottesley,
the Resident, whose bungalow was at the
foot of the hill we occupied. At others, we
descended and played with him. But on
these occasions we were driven to dummy
whist, as we could not all three leave
camp together.
One night about the middle of March,
Martingale and I had gone down to the
residency, leaving Valley in command, and
we had received the customary welcome
from Wrottesley. He was a good specimen
of the type of man who builds up our en-
pire in the East. Herculean in figure, full
of character, possessing an indomitable
will. and absolutely fearless. he was ready
to face any peril, and went through life
with a smile upon his face. He was, in
short, typical Englishman, a living ex-
ample of the triumph of mind over matter
Il wonder you aren't Dead exclaimed
Marttngale. as our host mixed a gin and
soda. This country is a perfect hell
Use, my dear chap. Use is second ma
ture. This place is positively healthy COM
pared with Kulema, where I used to be.
That's matter of four hundred miles west
of this, and there it was almost waste of
time to order dinner; before you had eaten
tiffin you might be buried before it was
cooked"
THAT sounds rather nice" I said; Its
consoling to know that we might be worse
off than we are. But ] agree with Freddy
that this place is pretty beastly. 1t isn't
the heat only-though that's bad enough
but it's the awful gloom of it. One day
like another; nothing to do. The hideously
serene, expreSsionless faces round about, the
lack of companionship, and then the eter-
nal being on the qui vive for something to
happen that never does It's enough to
make one go mad
1T is if you take on like that replied the
Resident. But why do you? Take lesson
from me- I never exert myself. do my
routine as it occurs, read my mail when it
due, and then 1 reap my reward when the
round is done and go home on furlough."
"But how about when you come back?'
I'm not coming back; I've done my
twelve months, and next year 1 shall have
a berth down river, somewhere out Prone
way, where the temperature never goes
over 90 degrees And I'll tell you chaps
sccret'-he sruiled as he SAID this and read
our looks of inquiry-''I m not coming back
clone either!'
Martingale whistled.
This is real news" he said. when is
1t to be-"
probably be married in February returning
at the end of the year. The Commissioners
minuted my appointment last week"
We congratulated him. and resumed our
game in better spirits.
We stayed at Wrottesleys till quite late,
and had many an awkward collision with
brush and bush on our hCmeward climb
through the darkness But we reached our
tents before midnight, and found VALLEY
fast asleep and all serene.
Shortly after breakfast the next morning
we were surprised by the appearance of
Martingales servant, Tommy, who was ev-
identity the bearer of some bad news.
IF you please, sir, here's that chap with
the awful name from the Resident He's
talking a lot of rubbish as 1 can't make
out, and / think there's something wrong
with Mr.. Wrottesley."
We both sprang up and, regardless of the
heat, went out to where the messenger
stood
We found the sirdar- bearer and confiden-
tial servant who had waited on US over
night, who was evidently in a perturbed
state. His usually copper-colored complex
ion had become ashen; his sarang tn now
always carefully swathed and falling in
faultless folds was awry. His story was
soon told. Something was wrong with his
master. He was i'll, very i'll; perhaps dead.
Would we come?
Martingale and I glanced at one another.
Do you stay here, Cranstone, he said,
7 will ta1ra Na1f with 10 h1
had more medical experience than you
have"
fetch quinine and opium, the small case of
instruments. and some mustard leaves from
the chest. In five minutes they were off,
and was left alone with my thoughts.
The incident had thrown a gloom around.
What should be ailing with Wrottesley? He
was not the man to sicken easily; he was
young, strong and seasoned. / had parted
fit and well as could be- Then it struck me
thought that it was. to say the least. rash
of Wrottesley to live alone with only five
or six natives for a retinue and guard He
had laughed, and replied that the headmen
Of the village We're responsible for him; but
pointed out to him at the same time that
this was but an imaginary security. And
now as likely as not. he was dead-mur-
dered, of course. L felt an irrepressible
longing for the return of my companions
They came sooner than ] expected. Barely
three hours after leaving me they came
back. weary and exhausted with the heat
Lets have something to drink ex-
claimed VALLEY, who spoke first. I'm done
up
mixed two drinks and watched them dis
appear.
All up" replied Dick Dead as door
nail: Must have died soon after you left"
'Tmpossible to say" responded Martin
gale. THE body was quite cold when we
got there. 1t must have been very sudden
and hope painless. Features quite COM
posed: nothing suspicious about: no signs
of violence. Heart or apoplexy, should
say. Poor devit'
Give me another drink" added Dick
did I was bid in silence. / was APP
palled. Used as had become to face death
In many forms. theSe was something visit
fully sad in the sudden cutting off of this
fine young life. He could not have been
mere than three or four and thirty: and he
had been so fun of hore-counting on going
home and getting married. 1t was shock
ing.
II want you to go and look at him. said
MartinSale. Go and make a careful ex-
animation, quite If we hadn't seen him
Then you can make a separate report and
/ can send yours in along with mine"
saw the good sense of the Captains
orders, and at once started nv Grand
Accompanied by my servant Chuckerbutty
/ descended to the village where l found
the residency guarded by the dead mans
retinue. while a little knot of natives hung
about and chartered. with frequent gIances
towards the veranda. / mounted the steps
and entered the dead mans room Tt was
precisely as the others had said There he