The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-06
% o @ o o-e-0-@-zs-eS-s-e
CHAPTER xx11-coNT1NuED.

! days time.
and how has the lighting gone since
morning."
"rhe English hold their advanced bat.
terry, and they have greatly damaged
| the Moree bastion--"
THANK Heaven!"
"But they will be driven out to-mor-
| row." Govind Punt continued. Delhi is
safe for month to come-untll more
troops and artillery join the army on
the ridge" AS he spoke he glided to the
window. and looked out for an instant
"sahib. step hlther," he said quickly. u
have something to show YOU"
CHAPTER XIII.
THE DAY OF RETRIBUTION.
Tho SUDDEN change OF tone, tho keen
note Of alarm In the Hindoo's voice, was
instantly detected by Jack. He hurried
to the easement and peeEed through
crevice In the lattnework, fully expect
Ing to find file of rebel soldiers at the
other gate come to search the house
for himself.
But only one person was to be seen,
and at first sight there was nothing In
his appearance or manner to excite mis-
trust. He was tall lean fellow, with
a plumed mahratt8 steep cap on his
head. and crimson Jacket buttoned over
his spare chest. He wore n tulwar Mt his
hip, and carried n short stick under his
arm, English fashion
watch him, sahib!' muttered GOvind
Punt. Keep your eyes Fixed upon him.
The man staggered carelessly, with
an easy grace. along the far side OF The
narrow street, and as lie drew opposite
the house he darted two swift and fur
tive glances at the walled courtyard.
Then he passed on with jaunty step.
and was soon hidden from view. but
not before Jack had recognized some
N.
The young officers start Of surprise did
not escape the Hndoo.
you saw him look this -,ay2" the lat
ter asked hoarsey. and surely you
have seen the man before, sahib--1 can
read 1t in your face"
What is he doing here7" Jack an
swcred. evasively. Tell mo what you
know about him."
That is very little, sahlb. but such as
1t Is. you shall hear It. Hitherto l have
kept silence concerning the matter. lest
should cause you needless alarm. The
facts are these. On several occasions
during the past month. and in different
Just passed by has logged my footsteps
from n distance. So. at least, suspect
cd though until this moment could
not have sworn to It. But there 10 no
longer any doubt. I caught a glimpse of
him sinking along In the rear when /
luIu Out VI luo NSIlinuIcy NsHohc lllio
evening, and that is why looked from
the window MS soon as / entered the
house. And behold, there he was''
1.-THE fellows actions were uncommonly
like those OF a spy" declared Jack You
are certain that he Is an utter stranger
to you? Think well before you answer"
"By Brahma, I swear itl' Govind Punt
replied vehemently. II know nothing OF
the man! But you, sahib. cannot say the
same"
You are partly right" Jack admitted.
II have a suspicion, which may be en-
tirely a wrong one. II the scoundrel In
the red Jacket was not n renegade Ben
gal fusiller from my own regiment, he
bore enough resemblance to him to be his
twin brother"
1.-THE name. sahib?"
"Joel Spanish"
II have heard It. The man was In the
service OF Chandra Singh at Jhalapur?
And he was with the force who stormed
the village?"
Yes, that's right"
"He now commands the ra1ah's body
guard since Bairam Khan was killed by
a she'll" declared Govind Punt. whose
swarthy face had turned pale.
II hope he may come to the same end, y
said Jack. But we are no nearer the
bottom Of the mystery. With what object
has Joel Spanish been shadowing your
movements? Can he suspect that am
concealed IN this houseE
Impossible, sahib! Did ne believe that
he would not have dared to swagger by
openly, lest you should see and identity
him."
"Perhaps he has learned Of your secret
meetings with zeenut?"
Govind Punt shook his head. HE can
know nothing OF that either" he replied.
LET not your mind be troubled. Fame
sahib, for you are absolutely safe under
my roof This matter concerns me alone
he added, hesitatingly. "for / think 1t
deals with the part took In the defense
OF my poor brothers. stronghold. How
ever, I have no fear"
.'Yon have been absolved, then?' Jack
suggested pointedly.
Govnd Punt denied the covert insin-
uation. IT am not afraid" he went on,
because the affair Is too old to be raked
up at such time, when all men think
only of the siege"
"All but Joel SPANISH Jack said 70
himself. my willy Hindoo friend, sus-
pect that you are keeping something
back"
The young officer was only party re-
assured, and when he mounted to the
roof that night he was unable to fall
asleep as quickly as usual. but tossed
for several hours on his charpoy, listen
ing to the mufled sounds Of the great.
wicked city and gazing With yearning
eyes toward the tower of Chandra Slngh's
house. which was etched darkly against
the purple sky
Meanwhile, down below, Govind Punt
was doing what he had not thought II
necessary to do since the Siege begun
He had made the house secure, and he
knew 1t, but a host of doubts and fears
would not let him rest Accompanied
| by the mastiff. and carrying naked
| sword he went into the courtyard. where
| lie poked about among the stunted trees
| and examined the strong bolts on the
| outer gate. Then he put second bar on
| the inner door, showed heavy piece oi
furniture against It. and mounted to his
| bed chamber
Does the fatal curse overshadow me-
| he muttered "or are my fears ground
! less?"
He unlocked tall Agra cabinet. III
which he Kcpt his gold and silver and
| with shaking hands took from drawer
small, square box of sandawood Hav-
| ing put this under his pillow, and 6
brace of loaded pistols nearit he stretch
| ed himself on the charpoy with a weary
| sigh,
| A bronze lamp burned dimly on q shelf
| IN IN, Los, (,