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

| cute his quest by SuDllo anu SCI peA1AAS
| methods known only to himself.
Although Miss Fothergill thought the
loss of her much-prized necklace was
known only to herself and her ayah, as
a matter Of fact it was already the sub
iect of much talk in the bazaar. Between
the songs with the monstrous tom-tom
accompaniment with which the natives
make hdeouS the earlier hours OF the
night, the mysterious disappearance OF
the Jewel was discussed with exaggerated
establishment over the smoking OF much
tobacco and the drinking of large guam
titles Of pan-tlat potent mixture or be-
tel-nut and churam so dear to the heart
of all Hindustan.
Abdool had suspected this, and he in
situated himself into the largest group
of gossips as a NIadrasse just returned
from working on a Ceylon coffee plan
tation, and travelling northward to his
native village. The hospitable hubble-bub-
BILE was passed to him, and after filling
his lungs several times with the pungent
tobacco fumes he sat down and listened
to the talk.
Three days later just a S the Master At
tendant and a few guests among whom
were Mr.. Simpson. the Baptist pastor,
and Captain Halstead, had finished titln
and We're about to enjoy their coffee and
cheroots under the shade of the veranda.
the Khansaman made his salaams and
informed the Sahib that a great magi-
clan wished to display to the Presence
the wonders of his art. He was not,
urged the Khansaman. an ordinary,
everyday snake charmer and juggler,
but a wonderful person to whom the
gods had vouchafed great gifts.
Mr. Fothergill had been in India so
long that he had had a surfeit of jug
Gery, but not so his daughter who i'm
portuned him prettily and persstently to
allow the ma gician to perform. In this
she was supported by the pastor. who.
in his mild way, worshipped the girl and
INDUCED in vain and ambitious visions
concerning her future. Captain Halstead
was neutral and pulled at his cheroc.
in silence. Mr.. Fothergill yielded grace
fully, and ordered the butler to bring
the juggler into the compound
Preceded by two assistants carrying a
large basket, there appeared upon. the
scene tail, gaunt man, whose bare head
YVES a mass of matted white hair. which
hung below his shoulders. His forehead
was decorated with pigments of white
and red, which made a crescent shaped
caste mark unknown on the Coromandel
coast. Nobody would have recognized in
this old fakir (the word should be UNDER
stood in its Oriental sense) the cerang
of the Sea Sprite. His disguise was ar
tistic and wonderful It almost deceived
Captain Halstead who was the only one
present in the secret. One of the Master
Attendants staff in the Custom House
was sent for to act as interpreter.
He seems to be the grandfather of all
the jugglers,' remarked the past or to Miss
FCthergill, in a feeble attempt to be
funny.
The basket was opened and the usual
frerertory of an Indian jugsler was cred
itably gone through. Snakes danced
rhythmically, the sword and basket trick
was performed as usual without blood
she'd and the mango tree sprouted from
| a kernel.
The Master Attendant began to yawn
in utter WEAKNESS.
ASK that old imposter what ne means
by giving us all that antedeluvlan per-
| formance. Has he nothing new to show
u.s."
The interpreter repeated the Sahib.s
| wish to the magician ana then TRANSLATED
the reply.
He says that if the Sahib desires some
| thing Still more wonderful, something In
deed surprising he is prepared to obey
| the commands of the heaven-born- de
says he will ask no stated reward, bu'
viii rely on the widely-known generosity
Of the presence, whose humble slave ne
is'''F 4
Mr.. Fothergill nodded his acquiescence
and the Chief Juggler prepared for his