The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-03

! THE PURPLE GOD. !!
By WILLIAM MURRAY GRAYDoN. Copyright, 1909. Q

| Look, he added Here Ia the pledge of
!, our safety--the gift of Chandra Singh to
| me, who saved his life.e
There was a tense, thrilling pause.
| Bairan Khan hcsitated, then stepped for.
ward and examined the ring. Withia per-
| picked and scowling face, he waved a
| hand to his men. who lowered their tut
| wars with muttered grumblng.
| This Is n falsehood. trick Of the
| feringhees!" cried Joel Spanish. furious
| ly Can glttering bauble save the lives
| they have forfeited? Let Thorn perish?'
but the jewel bears the seal OF his
highness, and 1t hath certain power"
answered Bairam Khan
| ut means nothing In this case" snarl.
| ed the renegade fusilier. And remember
| your orders--to slay and spare noti"
Bairam Khan glanced furtively toward
| his men. us much as to say that but
| for their presence he would have no
mercy on the prisoners. Then he turned
| to Jack.
How is 1t, sahib that you claim safety
| for three2" no demanded. your life
| alone Is sacred by virtue OF the rajalIs
| seal"
mot sol" tho young officer replied
! boldly. "Tl1e ring was given to protect
myself and those about mo. from any
| peril that might befall.'
"a lie!' cried Joel Spanish. "Cut them
| DOWN.
II dare not" answered Bnirnm Khan.
ION my head would be the consequences
| The feringhees must go to Jhnlapur, and
| his highness will decide their fate" y
The leaders, word. finally given, was
| not to be disputed, and with an angry
oath Joel Spanish Bheated his sword.
They, will all do IN the end" no cried
that you grant them"
To the captives the dismal cavern seem
ed now almost n cheerful place. A fer
vent THANK Godl' fell from Estcourts
! lips. and he forgot the rackinB pain In
his arm. Mndge threw herself into hor
lovers arms and sobbed on his Breast.
Don't fear for tho future" Jack whis-
pered to her. "Chandra Singh Is in my
debt, and though he will certainly hold ua
prisoners. believe our lives will be safe"
Half an hour later the three ferin-
ghees were under strong guard In one Of
the rooms of the house. and Estcourt'a
arm had been rudely dressed and band
aged.
Bairam Khnn's men were ransacking
everywhere for loot, and Joel Spanish
while engaged in the same pursuit.
CHANGED to find tho body OF Nath Banerji.
He would have passed 1t by but tor the
discovery of tho missing finger which
claimed his interest and attention at once.
He examined every stitch OF clothing
on the corpse. expressed his dsnppoint-
ment by curse. and then hastily sought
tho prisoners.
who is tho dead man that was slain
by dagger" no demanded, "and who
killed hlm7 It was not done by any OF
our soldiers"
Jack gave brief explanation.
"fhe assassin was one OF tho zemtn-
dar's people," he concluded. THAT is
all can tell you
That tho young officer was speaking
the truth, and concealing nothing, Joel
Spanish did not doubt. He was to learn
later OF the treachery and escape OF
Govind Punt. but ho was in ignorance
OF that as yet, else he might not have
wasted tho time that he did in search
ing the dead who fell in the defense OF
the village. and paying similar. but more
guarded attentions to the wounded. No
thing came of his toll, however, except
the conviction that the Parsees muir
derer was among the few of the garrison
who had succeeded in escaping.
The bafiled fuslier felt his failure keen
ly, but on second thought he took moro
philosophical view OF 1t.
by Brahma, perhaps II Is Just as WELL
no said to himself. for verify the thing
seems to carry a curse with It's possess
sion"
Tho hour of midnight found Bairam
Khan's victorious force on the march to
Jhalapur. laden with plumber, and with
three feringhee captves riding among
them. Before leaving they fired the zemin-
OARS house. and lurid column OF flame.
mounting high to the starry heavens.
lighted them on their way
CHAPTER XXI.
THE DOOR IN THE WALL.
The night of June 4th was the date OF
the triumphant attack on Manrao Punt's
stronghold. When the sun rose on the
morning of the 9th, 1t shone on a
scene OF sorrow and desolation, and its
glorious rays seemed a cruel mockery to
the few inmates of the Jungle village
The survivors of the garrison-a few
escaped the fury OF Bairam Khans ruff
fians-had long since crept back to bury
the dead minister to the wounded, and
offer what solace was possible to the
Hindoo widows and orphaned children.
A score of miles to the southwark on
that same day. an Englishman was con-
fined for the second time within a few
weeks In the impregnable palace fort
ress of Jhalnpur.
But on this occasion Jack Fame occu-
pied a strong cell, from the grated win
dow OF which he could see armed SEN
tries pacing n small court. He had been
locked up here Immediately after his ar
rival on the previous morning. and since
then he had heard nothing of Madge nor
tion whatever from his jailers. His Keen
est anxiety was for the girl, and next In
his thoughts was her brother.
For Ralph Estcourt's fate was uncer-
tain. During the nights ride from the
village he had communicated to Jack his
Intention to escape. with the hope of
reaching the British army that was
perhaps even now beslegng Delhi, and
of inducing the commanding officer to
take measures for the rescue of Thandra
Sngh's prisoners.
His would was really very slight, but
by fegnlng weakness and pain, and so
relaxing the watch that was kept on him.
he effected his purpose. In the thickcst
part of the jungle he slipped from his
horse and vanished In the darkness, and
though half an hour was wasted In
searching for him. he successfully eluded
recapture.
Continued To-Morrow.)
A Few Foreign Facts.