The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-04
CHApTER XXI-CONTINUDD.

or as near to her as he could get.
He ate the breakfast that he found by
his bed, then paced the floor with rest
less steps. Over the battlemented wall
of the court he watched the SUN mount
Ing higher in tho parched. glaring sky;
lie felt the cool. refreshing air turn grad
ually to n Sitting heat
But the passing hours brought no re.
lief to his tortured mind. He thought
constantly Of Madge. and longed to
see her for just minute. He believed
that she would be well treated but OF
his own safety he was less certain, when
he remembered what vindictive enemy
he had in Joel Spanish.
And the army OF Retribution-was IT.
storming tho gates OF imperial Deihi, or
was its very existence but a myth? And
what things were happening down co.in-
try. what progress had the mutlny made
IN the thousand-mllo stretch to Calcutta
1T is like hideous dream!" ne SAID
to himself. 'Would to heaven 1t were
no more than that, and l could wake
to find myself In my cozy bungalow at
Meerut. or strolling with Madge through
the leafy avenue at Rampooral"
Tho sudden shooting Of bolt gave
the young officer start. for his nerves
were decidedly unstr,lng. The celldoori
opened. revealing two palace guards IN
scarlet turbans and tuncs of chainmat
nounccd
II am ready" Jack replied.
The summons was unexpected, but he
pulled himself together and followed his
escort who conducted him without de-
lay to All apartment he had not seen
before. namely, tho Dewan -khana, or
hall OF audience. with Its mosaic floor
and splendid columns OF red and white
marble.
At one end, close to the door by which
the prisoner entered Chnndra Singh sat
on hugo carved throne. draped with
cloth Of gold. Two attendants stood be-
hind him. ono holding his hockeh and the
other a silver urn, In which sweet-scented
grass Of Cashmere was burning
Ranged about him In O. semiclrcle were
half a dozen persons of more or less Inn
portance. including the fierce and stall
wart Baram Khan, the crafty and unct-
uous Raghava, Remesh Chunder, the sec
rotary, and also Joel Spanish, who looked
as IL he anticipated very pleasant time.
There was another present as well. and
on her Jacks eyes We're Immediately fixed.
Fora reclned gracefully on a tiger skin
at her fathers feet She returned the
Englishmnn's glance ardently. and her
olive cheeks flushed to rosy tinse as
she leaned slightly toward him.
In marked contrast was the demeanor
of the rajah who regarded the captive
with a cold. inscrutable countehnnce. that
told nothing OF the workings of his mind.
There was an instant OF impressive 81
|lcnce. Jack refused to kneel at the bid
ding of his guards. and only Strengthened
| himself more haughtlly.
Does your hlghness desire the mem
sahib to be present2" suggested Bairam
| Khan.
Let her walt" Chandra Singh replied,
| glancing toward the curtaned doorway OH
his left.
| 1rr;. y ;u
bosom the ruby ring which had been taken
| from the prisoner when he surrendered.
| He held 1t up.
THE ferlnghee recognizes this?" he
asked curtly.
II do,'' Jack answered, 'and remem-
Der when and why 1t was given. Is not
your hghness word as good as your
| bond?"
Had I but known that day" the
rajah began. and broke off abruptly.
You made q false use of the ring. Fame
sahib," he added. Its protecting power
was intended for you alone, and even that
right you had forfeited many times over"
II retained the talisman, your high
ness, and i did with 1t what any true
man would have done. wounded COM
rade and helpless woman were about
to be put to the sword by your soldiers.
I claimed their safety. Can you blame
me?'
Chandra Singh waived the question.
in these times, when the raj Of the
British is lettering to its certain fall, ["
he con tinued sternly, st is an nnpardon-
able crime to spare single ferlnghee.
male or female. And you. Fanesahib.
deserve a dozen deaths. On your head Is
| the blood Of the brave men who persisted
| in the zemindar's village. Of those you
| slew with your own hand weeks ago UNI
der the very shadow of my palace walls.
I .'Jt was In self-defense. your high
| Jork ppsWara1 cnln1ly nm
| at your mercy and you are in my debt.
| But I ask nothing for myself | re-
nounce the protection of that Jewel you
hold in your hand. Let 1t serve instead
to save the English girl who is cap
| tive under your roof"
,..rhey must both die!" exclaimed Joel
Spanish flercely.
ITO the sword with them!" muttered
| Raghaya.
chandra Singh said nothing. but for
| the space of half a minute he stared
i fixedly at the prisoner. and his dark
eyes seemed to grow larger and more
brilliant. until they flashed with the
wicked sparkle Of n venomous cobra,
HAD they the power to strike they would
have darted instant death.
Raghava and Joel Spanish watched
tho rnjah intently as II they read his
thoughts-divined tho cause OF his deep
ly-stirred hatred.
Then Fora, springins suddenly 10 her
feet, bent over her father and spoke tG
him earnestly. In rapid but nandble
tones. She caressed one of his hands
between hers, redoublng her appeals.
Gently and reluctantly Chandra Singh
thrust the girl from him; the hue OF
passion had partly loft his countenance
you ask what. fear Is not IN my
4 power to grant, he said "But viii
not decide hastily. Go. now. Fora. to
| your apartments"