The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-16
CHAPTER VII.
DOUBLE CUNNING.

are much better. but you are still very
4 weak, Does your head pain your
Not when 1t Is on the pillow" jack re-
piled But tell me--what is your name.
! and whose house am | in?'
II am Fora, the daughter of the Taiah
4 of Jhalapur. .Chandra Singh is my father.
and you are In his palace"
| The daughter of Chandra Singh! So he
was the Nana's mysterious guest! The
-plot was thickenlng, Jack told himself.
There Is much that ! do not UNDER
| stand" he said please tell me how"
| EVIL men must have attacked you.
| sahib. You were found at daybrcak OUT
| SIDE OF the town, lying hurt and uncon-
| scious and were brought to the palace
by some of my fathers soldiers. knew
1 You at once, and my heart was very sad
| But old Ferukh-he is our physician
| declared that your injuries were slight
| He put healing lotion on your temples.
| and gave YOU a sleeping draught. Before
/ The day is over, II you remain very
| quiet
II assure you will be all right II /
can get on my feet Jack interrupted.
| This dizziness Will pass away. And
| really must not stop here any longer. II
| you will have your servants fetch me a
| drop OF brandy
He paused. hearing approaching foot
steps and a voice speaking in a tone Of
| authority.
at Is my father" said the girl calmly.
\ re IL COHllIS 10 see you.
! Fora drew back q pace or two, ard Jack
| lifted himself little higher among the
/ pillows. The next instant the crimson
hangings parted and chandra Singh en-
tered the room.
The recognition was mutual; that Is to
| say the young officer at once knew the
rajah. while the latter had previously
seen and recognized the Feringhee while
| no lay insensible.
1t was an awkward moment for both
4 n time to be cunning OF speech and TO
| weigh ones words carefully.
Jack had secrets to hide; ne must
zealously fegn to be unsuspcious OF his
host. who had undoubtedly held con-
/ verse with Joel Spanish that morning.
On clever acting depended the only
chance OF his being permitted to leave the
4 palace, whittier he felt certain that he
l evil associates.
i AS for the Rajah. he had all the cards
up his sleeve; his cue was to learn how
much the other suspected and yet reveal
nothing OF the working Of his own mind.
Both were equal to the occasion, ready
to match tact with tact.
81 am graciously honorcd by your pres
ence under my poor roof. Fame Sahib."
said Chandra Singh as he advanced With
an air OF sllicitude and frowned slightly
a, his daughter. You are thrice well
como to my hospitality. Are tyou not my
preserver-the saviour OF my child Fora.
the priceless Jewel OF my eyer
In this he WAS sincere; though he did
not lack the matchless guile and cruelty
4 0! the ristocratic oriental, he held graf
itude to be a sacred obligation. which
had ever been distinguishing trait OF
4 the rulers OF Jhalapur.
My heart rejoccs to find you SO near
recovery" he went on. That you
should have met with this misfortune
on my territory. and doubtless at the
~ tr,fu Go nfg "
that grieves mo deeply. AS yet the af-
fair is a mystery
y 81 was riding this way to seek for n
deserter from the Bengal fuslliers." Jack
replied: II had reason TO think that he
fled toward Jhalapur."
He briefly told of his pursuit by five
unknown horsemen, and how the chase
ended WAS 1T by tho command OF your
highness that was brought here q he
added
TT was the best place for YOU" the
rajah answered evaslvely. Tho watch
men at the town gates heard the sound
or firing, and when they made search
they found you lying by your dead horse.
Knowing you to be an English officer.
they sent you to the palace for proper
n treatment.
ut was consderate OF them
.My people are trained to know my
wishes. Fame sahib But tell me-did you
recognize none OF these bloodthdrsty
rogues?"
1T was too dark to see their faces.
. your highness. but assuredly they were
all strangers to me-"
"1hey were robbers. Pinaroons--I shall
have them caught and properly pun
, Ished," Chandra Singh said angr1ly, mar
rowly watching his guest as he spoke
.Iawlcssness has increased In Jhalapnr
. OF late, and 1t Is quite time 1t was sup
Pressed To think that these fellows
: were mounted, and that they should have
yentured so close to the town.
'.Alrs well that ends well. J" Jack replied
81 might have Jared much worse. am
Q infinitely Obliged to your hghness, and
regret that must leave you Withou,
' delay"
J .The sahib is too H.
! "Put mo In the saddle and III stick
!, there"
"Back to Meerut should have re.
turned before this, and my colonel VIII be
: very anxious about me- :.
"And the deserter from the fusiliers?'
II am afraid he is safely hidden in the
jungle. where It won't be easy to cater
n him"
Chandra singh pondered for moment
: You are free to depart" he said. ~
will not seek TO detain you against your
Will, though could easily dispatch 9
!, messenger TO Meernt But doubt lr YOU
4 are fit to travel, and In this burning hea1
have food and drink. and my physician
I viii bring you drugs Of great potency
q ."The. sahtb will be rash to tempt the
t dangers OF the sum" said Fora. LET
him walt until the cool of tho evening.
"But my way lies through the jungle
f where the sun Is little to be feared
Q 1.-THE sahib Is too i'll" the girl persisted
j, LET n messenger be sent instead"
s AS he spoke. with one arm she tossed
e back a tress of raven hair that had es
capped from It's jeweed band, and tht
movement dislodged from her bosom al
oval Iocket that was hidden there, sus
pended from fine chain about hel
throat.
The trinket swung to and fro, and spin
ming slowly round 1t showed a surface OF
dull yellow gold on one side and on the
other q miniature painted on ivory an6
set under glass
Jack glanced at 1t carelessly. and then
ON sudden curious impulse. he reached