The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-17

along with remarkable vigor for an
Anglo Indian Of his age and standing.
About the time Of his arrival at his
dock Captain Jack Halstead was pay
ing his respects to the Master attend ma
ants daughter who told him of her
grievous loss las they sat close to-
gether in the shady veranda enJoylns
the cool, sweet sea breeze, which had
just st in.
CHAPTER II.
You are sure you have given me full
particulars. and that your ayah is not
to blame?''
II think so, Jack replied Minnie.
MY maid Is quite trustworthy, and she
is the only servant who has access to
my room"
You saw the necklace in the cabinet
when you dressed for 0lnner last night.
OF this you are certain. When you re-
tired it was gone. You questioned the
ayah and she denied all knowledge OF
the necklace, which was the only aru-
Gle that had disappeared This is all
the light you have on the subject!
Jacks tone was. very business-ilke.
He had subjected his sweetheart TO a
keen cross-eXamination, ana the reSui ,
had been worthless. His suspicion hao
naturally fallen on the ayah. VINO Wla
the only person whose routine ol IVY =
brought her within thievinS distance =,
Niinnie's jewel case he was PEI . tp,v
and puzzled. Suddenly d hopP'
struck him.
This is a problem for Abdool, M
seranr. to solve will consult MN q f.
once. said the '.Kuptan Sahib.
bidding Minnie fond farewell, warn
ing her to say nothing and DO nothliis =,
h.. matter Of the lost necklace, ana
promising to return in time TOR 'llliii,
cantain Halstead launched his boat, ana
was pulled aboard the Sea Sprlte' ledsii.s'
Minnie quite bewildered at ner sweet
hearts strange behavior, and marVe'li'ls
at the calling in of the Lascar oeiaiiS
to unravel the mystery Wen ii'iu e'uSe
her so much misery.
Abdool, the Serang, was remarhaoie
man in many ways-in fact, quite supe-
rior to the ordinary run of Lascar BOAT
swans YOU see engaged in their calling
on the regular Indian liners. lie was
not only a splendid seaman, but a man
of rare intelligence. Ealstead had many
reasons for properly approaching inc
Serang.s fidelity to himself, as we'll as
his subtle insight into the psychological
mysteries of the Hindoo mind In the
purchase of curios from the native mer-
chants, Abdool was generally called IN
by the captain, and his shreWd bargain
ing frequently saved Halstead h1ty per
cent. or more.
Tall, 1.-the and muscular, Abdool mad a
handsome face, with dark eyes beamlns
with intelligence, voice soft and musl-
cal and pleasing manners. He had Arab
blood in his veins, but his birthplace
was some village in the Punjaub, and the
first vessel he sailed in was Calcutta
pilot brig. He had no particular reilSlon.
belonged to no caste, and was thorough
ly cosmopolitan.
To Abdool the skipper told all he knew
concerning the missing necklace. Inc IN
1erview was long. 1t was decided that
Abdool show so ashore that night and
make his quarters somewhere in the vii
lage, and conduct his investigation IN MS
own way. He assured his skipper that IL
the necklace was still in Bimlipatam, ne
would recover it, as he had great re-
spect for the Mem Sahib who in turn
had a kindly feeling for her lovers faith
full retainer.
Captain Halstead went ashore, took
tiffin with the Master Attendant and his
daughter, and by his request Minnie
kept secret the loss of her necklace, be
ing assured that the thief would soon
be run to earth. How he did not at
tempt to explain to himself or the glrl,
except on the ground of an a bidlns falln
In Abdool's ability to so.ve any mystery
In which a thieving native of India was
concerned.
At dusk the same evening Abdool landed
on the beach. He had thrown of his
smart uniform and had left aboard the
Sea Sprite his silver boatswain's pipe
that emblem of his Office whose CHEEKY
trill summoned his brown Lascars to
duty. His attire was simple. turban and
a loin cloth. in whose recesses were con-
cealed a few gold coins. Avoiding the
! bungalows Of the Sahibs. he stole away,
toward the dwellings Of the natives,
which were some distance from the shore