Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-09-07
CHAPTER XI.

Uttering these words, Della APP
nroached a table In the center Of the
room and touched a bell.
Saugor Immediately appeared, in all
accustomed reverence, waiting for the
princess to question him.
."All the English masters and SER
wants have left the ~palace?" she asked.
.All, mistress"
"From whence come our brothers
who bring the flowers OF the lotus?'
From the east, the west, the south,
the north"
you seen their faces?"
81 do not know their faces, and their
countenances are hidden under a thick
veil. Only before you may this veil be
lifted. Am I to bring them hither!'
"Yes. l am ready to receive them"
Saugor went away.
what news do they bring meT'
murmured the princess. what are
Siva's wishes? Does he demand more
English blood? His commands, what
ever they may be, will find me obedi-
ent. All, they are here! / shall soon
know ALP
1.-THE door opened, and fur men, in
troduced by Saugor, who stood aside
to permit them to pass, entered the
salon. and bowed low before the prin-
cess"
Long folds of black crepe fell from
their heads over their chests and Shout
ders. drought which no feature could
be distinguished.
Djella welcomed them with a ges-
ture, and said 10 them, in a solemn
voice:
."The messengers Of the god are in
the presence of the Queen of the Phan-
sugars and the Thugs. No curious eye
may spy upon them, no indiscreet ear
listen to them. Let them speak with
uncovered faces"
The newcomers, obeying her, who
doubtless had the right to command,
lifted their wells, and Djella could not
repress an exclamation Of surprise as
she recognized them.
'sThe Fakir Souniancyv she cried.
"Askbar! Djaal! Holcar."
Next to yourself, those highest In
power among the chiefs Of the Thugs"
answered the fakir, a sort of repulsive
gorilla in appearance.
Brothers" replied the princess. "be
welcome to the palace of your queen.
Glory to silva and to Bowhanie, who
have led you here! You have SEN to
me. through Saugor, the lotus flowers,
which hold for us a language of their
own. There is danger, then, in store
for us?"
".Yes," responded Askbar.
"From what quarter?'
From an Englishman."
''Who is this E~nglishman?"
"a civilian of the East India compa.
ny-a chief Judge"
"a chief judge?" repeated the prime
ess. Explain yourself, Askbar-I
wait"
.'The Englishman has made an
OATH" said the Fakir Souniancy, in his
turn. "He. has sworn, should his life
be saved. to. discover all the secrets Of
the terrible and mysterious association
Of Thugs, and to paralyze the work of
thu; Sons Of Bowhanie, by striking at
its heart"
"AhE" murmured Djela; ..'since he
has sworn. he. seeks the truth. What
matters it," she continued, with a ges-
ture of disdain: Let him seek! He
will discover nothing"
Gle has already discovered much"
answered the fair, in a sort Of rage.
IS imposSibler'
"1t Is, however, true"
What does he know
Many things. False brothers have
betrayed or sold most dangerous Sc
crets. He is on the scent-yes, he is
on the track-and the cursed blood
hound will not cowardly forsake II.
Let him advance one step further, II
the heart Of our association will be
threatened"
1.-The roads through which he travels
are still In shadow" said Holcar. "He
knows ne names, no faces; but the
light Is ready to fall, dissipating the
darkness, which envelopes and con-
ceals us from him. Tomorrow, per-
haps, he will know all-to-morrow, per-
haps, the chiefs Of the queen will, In
his eyes, be unmasked!'
Della stamped her foot. her nostrils
dilated, her lips were dry and parched.
A fierce light shot from her eyes.
"And England would Triumph" she
cried, In strindent tone, "and we