The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-14
CHAPTER ".

CHAPTER v.
THE RACD FOR JHALAPUR.
Estcourt searched his pockets hurrled-
", and produced small flask. Tho sad
die was brought from the dend horse, and
on this the wounded mans head and
shoulders were propped Some brandy
was forced down his throat and after
short interval n trace of color flushed his
white cheeks, and he opened his eyes.
There was only vacant stare In them
for a moment and then he seemed to
realize his position and to remember what
had happened. EIo looked into the faces
bending over him, at tho rim OF black
forest beyond the glare OF the lantern.
II fear you are badly hurt" said Est
court. ar you arc able to tell us"
II am dying" the stranger interrupted
| In husky whisper. my nssailant ran
me through the lung. But while my
| breath lasts-gentlcmen. Will you do me
n service? send-to Rampoora-for Lieu
| tenant John Fame"
II am Lieutenant Fame" Jack answer
| ed, in surprise.
The man glanced at him keenly. and
THANK God for thatl" he murmured.
| II have but little time-I am going fast.
| Listen. sir! My namo Is Tobias Clink.
was sent from E1ngland-by Gynn &
SHELTON, tho bnnkers--to deliver into your
| hands parcel and a letter They were
|
| not there"
Here is tho bag" exclaimed Estcourt.
! picking It up from the road. but 1t Is
| quite empty"
II was afraid OF thnt-tho scoundrel has
stolen both letter and parcel"
| Are you certain thoy were for me7"
asked Jack. II cant imagine why Glynn
| & SHELTON should send me anything"
They were meant for you. sir, II you
| nre Lieutenant Fame OF the Bengal Fusi-
licrs.''
Tobias Clinks time was very short;
his eye was CLASSY and his face waxen.
| With labored breath. In barely nrticulate
| sentences, he described tho murderous as
| sault made upon him. and his fight to
| save the bag.
IT heard footsteps and shout Just be-
| fore l lost my senses he concluded.
| 1T was omebody-comins-to my help.
| Find the thief. He can't be far
'"They were two OF kind r suspect"
said Estcourt. Clink asked for more
| brandy and 1t WAS put to his lips.
| IT forgot-there Ia another letter" he
| gasped. IAN urgent one. 1t ought to
be-n my breast pocket. My God, this
pain" His features suddenly altered
| and he writhed with agony. LIT me-
| higher" he whispered. II tried-to do
my duty. Forgive me. sir"
| There was a rafting In his throat fol-
lowed by a rush OF blood to the mouth.
He shuddered, closed his eyes. and lay
| quite still.
"He is dead" Estcourt said softly.
YES It's all over" Jack replied "Pooc
fellowl Tho next thing is to catch the
! murdered. Il We can
| Estcourt began to search the ground
in the vicinity. but though he discovered
no trace of the bags missing contents.
he found a CHASTITY object lying In the
dust-tho little finger OF a mans hand.
severed clearly below the second Joint.
| Jack had meanwhile taken from
/ Clink's pocket a letter addressed to him
self and marked important, and no was
about to open 1t when Estcourt showed
him the finger. He shrank from It IN hor-
1 ror. and then, seeing tho sword shining
in the light OF the lamp. he picked 1t up
/ and examined It intently.
''By Joyc, this is mine!" he cried. 1T
i has been stolen from my bungalow, and
only one man could have taken II"
Joel Spanlsh?"
!. "Yes!"
"Then he is the assassin.
/ without doubt"
but is this his flnger?"
mo It is too dark for his; and much
too small" ,,,
(Which proves that Tobias Clink was
right. Fame. and that somebody did come
/ ~ his assistance. Whoever the fellow
was. no appears to have como on second
best"
"What happened Is pretty evident"
Jnck interrupted. Tho whole thing was
premedItated. az that rope OF vines shows
After the victim was trapped ana spanish
attacked him, no was himself set upon Dy
third person, whose finger no cut on
hut who nevertheless compelled him &c
take to fight And tho rescuer IN an
probability, belonged to that party OF i've
whom we saw riding toward Jhalapur;
rhen they arc Jolly queer l0 tore sad
were broken they cut its throat 10 put !.
out it's misery, but they left the man te
h,eed TO death, lying where he fell:
,.They were here, anyway, Ralph, pee
how the dust Is cut up with hoot Prints.
We'll I'd IKE Ike to R aaS ,oo dh0 x srd'1 who he
carried off your property
"spanish. OF course. 49,. a..
"Thnt,s most likely. I'm afraid It's
serious loss, Fame. BY Joye. 1ancy
Arm of London bankers sending spe
cial messenger all the way 10 ihu'a =
deliver letter and paIcea' INV the,
II haven't the remotest Idea why lhes
AID n or what they were sending me.
is most mysterious.
"Do you really mean that!
II do, pom my honor" declared Jack x
~ believe Glynn and Shelton useu ~ "
my t Of that By CAD. have Just though
~ something. Tho letter that snanisi
sto,e~it must have related to Tobia
Clink's errand. Yes, am certain or tnat
Spanish killed the poor fellow Tor me SOL
nurpose OF robbing him OF the coh'e'''
of tho bag"
, (Which deepens the mystery
cts enough to bewlder man. sa'
Jack. "My head Is In whirl..
! He suddenly remembered tn, unopene
, letter he was holding. and made haste
+ read it by the light OF the lanterm; l., a.
4
aeitated voice. '"rhis Is from colone
q TSrlton-Tobas Clink saw him Mt my bung
alow and revealed an important dlscoy
: ory to him. can't explain IT 10 YOU, ~