Evening star., 1898-07-30

animate, which had brought the rajah's
guests 20 the acknowledgements ralan-
gums, traps dog carts, saddle horses and
several gorgeously caparisoned elephants.
They saw Hindoos running to and fro and
heard confused voices. and when the,r
reached the palace and mounted the mar
h!e steps they found the rajah himself in
the outer hall, surrounded by knot Of ex-
cited servants.
craft
Il have been robbedr' cried Runioet
Singh, his black eyes flashing. "a thief
mas stolen casket of precious stones.
Many of them belonged to my ancestors,
ara they were of the greatest value"
Do you know who took them 2" asked
Quin.
Yes; my trainer. Manuel Torres"
thought so!' Quin exclaimed Your
nishness has been deceived Torres en-
tered your service under false name: he
is notorious criminal and a fugitive from
Justice
He must beeaughtI" shouted Calcraft,
by heavens, l will never forgive myself
II lose him. He can't have gone far vet
If your highness will tell us all the partic-
ular sat once we may be able to recover
the Jewels
I will vouch for my companions" added
capt. MOTIFS You can trust them"
Satisfied by this assurance from ono bo
knew, the rajah poured out the story in
fluent English 40
"A servant came and told me-" he said
that Manuel Torres had q few moments
before taken flight under suspicious cir
cumstances. When l left the arena I
learned that the story was true. An ele-
phant belonging to one of nv guestS Reo
Khan. was waiting behind a grove of treas
Just outside the court. Torres escapea on
TINS be lst. He climbed into the howdah
compelling the mahout to do his bidding
at the point of a pistol and rode off nj ?
furious pace. 1 hastened to my private
apartments In the palace, and found as 7
reared, that the casket Of jewels was
gone The thief must have known where
they were kept, and it was easy for him
to carry them off unobserved, since most
OF the servants were present at the cntor-
tainment"
It's as clear as dayiightr exclaimed
2uln The Portuguese recognized me- and
knew that the game was up AS for the
piunder, he thought he might as well en-
rich himself while the chance offered as ao
away empty-handed. He is a cool-headed
scoundrel"
It's just as you say, without doubt " as
sented Calcraft.- But how can he hope to
escape? What direction will he take?''
He will probably steer for the railway
line, in hopes Of catching a train" sus-
gested Captain Norris.
Yes, he made off for the southwest -
cried the rajah; but his aim is most likely
to reach the lonely jungle and forest to-
ward the Ghauts where he could hide from
pursuit and III time get to the coast
Il believe we can overtake him." said
ouln. There is no time to lose, though. -
Ihen go at once" the rajah exclaimed
hopefuliy. Il will give you fleet elephant
ana skilled mahout. You shall be richly
rewarded If you capture the thief and re-
cover the jewels. L will follow later with
an armed escort. At present, while my
guests are here, the claims of hospitality
must keep me at the palace"
Quin and his companions jumped at the
opportunity.
Dead or alive. Silva must be taken" ex-
claimed Calcraft.
'It will he rare snorf-p,ap N b,n+,,~ -.
elephant-back,' said Captain Norris.
hope we'll have all the fun" Quin re-
piled, but l doubt it. The Portuguese il
armed, and he will fight for his freedom. !.
AT that moment the rajah who had gone
into the palace, returned with three hand,
some revolvers Of the latest pattern inlaid
with gold and ivory. He gave one to each
of the men, and then led them hurriedIy to
the stable compound 1t was the work of
several minutes for the attendants to bring
out huge elephant and equip it for the
chase. The mahout, goad in hand, perched
himself IN the customary position between
the beasts fore-shoulders, and Quin and
his two companions, by the aid Of a lad
der. climbed into the richly DECORATED how
dah. The direction taken by Silva was stat
ed by syce who had witnessed the flight.
You have fine animal there-a safe and
rapid one, said the rajah. He ought to
overtake Rao Khan's elephant without
much trouble. Do you want couple OF
rihss In addition to the pistols s?'
mo; we won't need them" Quin an
swered.
We're OF now" sddsd calcraft. Good
@oood-byel" the rajah responded. "suc-
cess be with you'll"
The mahout spoke a few words, and the
sagacious elephant trotted out Of the COM