The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-02
CHAPTER XIX.
a MysTERiOUs MURDER.


Then tho storm burst again. moro fu-
riously than ever. The order to retreat
to the inner defenses came loudly from
Manrao PuntsJlips. and swiftly on the
heels of 1t rang tho exultant yells OF
Bairam Kahn's rutflans. as me. they
way and UP the, steps.
Some of the zemindnrs men were
l.opelessly cut off, but the greater part
OF them fell back timely, by way Of the
bridge and the ditch. They fled through
the palisade, and the rearmost closed
and barred the strong gate.
All hope of n successful resistance
was now crushed, and the inevitable end
could not long be delayed. But the
spirit OF the garrison under these trying
circumstances was most admirable, ana
from the loophoes In the pallsade they
poured a steady and effective fire.
Jack, after leaving Mndge In the
house, hastily returned to take part IN
the defense. Both he and Estcourt
thrsed to nvenge the sn neah 81 p1ea
with their rifles. While tho fighting was
heaviest Govlnd Punt. who had been
among the first to seek safety WITHIN
the enclosure, suddenly Disappeared
without attracting attention None
missed him at the time.
..rhese chaps aren't towards, what
ever else they may be-" shouted EST
court, with forced admiration I'D give
something to pick Off tile leader, but
can't spot him.
"And what wouldn't give for, q fair
shot at tho cursed renegade, Joel Span
ish?" Jack replied. ns he shifted the
hot breech OF his rifle from one hand 10
the other. "Of course he Is skulking IN
tho rear"
'"rhey're waverlng, Fane!
"By love, so they nrel Hurran!
Either because the hail of bullets was
IL ,nrrt,,l,, deetr,,ctive Mt close range
or fur some other reason best known 70
Rairnm Khan, Il couple OF blasts or a
trumpet sent the enemy scurrying 10
tho cover Of the ditch. which WAS larse
enough to shelter the entire iorce.
Firing ceased on both sides. ana us
tho smoke cured upward the space be-
tween the palisade and the ruined gate
wa.y was seen to be strewn with dead
and wounded.
Then signal of truce-a White turpaN
on a gun barrcl-was holsted into view.
In a loud voice. Bairam Khan fornu-
later terms OF surrender. offering last
chance Of life and safety to the peti
leagued garrison II they would deliver
UP tho feringhees. -,
"IInye not given my final answer1'
| Manrao punt replied angrily. You do
| but waste your breath. thou son OF q
! burnt father!'p 1ztae =.
Traitor and hereto. death VIII be the
l. sure, portion OF tHee anu
A shot fred from one of the zemndar'a
men, fired either by accident or design
| knocked the turban out Of sight The
| negotiations came to sudden termlna-
ton. A yell OF rage from Batram Khnn,
| and n string OF choice maledictlons from
the lips of Joel Spanish. were followed
by struggling voUey over the edge OF
tho ditch.
Then a silence fell. and very deep and
| ha
| m,lsletry and the din OF battle. present
NV voice called to voice in guarded tones,
| and n cracking rumbling noise began to
| draw near y
"They are bringing up their ,artillery!'''
| exclaimed Estcourt. W
| 'And q few shots will smash the pail
SADIE to bitsr' Jack said despondently.
In the absorbing heat OF conflict the
| Young officer had been carried away BY
excitement, but now his overwrought
| nerves felt the reaction aRd.the om!nous
! nuiet brought renection-sent chill OF
/ despair to his stout heart.
Ills sole thought was OF MadgG-not OF
himself. He returned Estcourt's fixed
and gloomy starefor an instant, and then
| turned to the zemindar.
i I'm case the assault was successful
he whispered. 'you promised q way to
safety that could hardly fail. us. Now
prove your words"
.sahib, I will do SO. when tho time
! arrives-nnd In truth 1t Is very neal"
Manrao Punt answered. when we have
1 given these dogs one more Wolley-"
"Then there Is means of escapo?'
"You shall see for yourself lest sud
den death overtake mo with the secret
untold Come, sahibs. both Of you
i There Is a moment to spare."
i Jack and Estcourt swiftly followed the
zemlndar to tho north Side OF tho house,
entered the first room beyond the yer-
andn and started back In horror and con-
sternation, stupefled by what tho moon
beams revealed to them. At their feet
i Law Nath BanerjI his limbs distorted, his
clothing dlsheveled and his own dagger
driven hilt-deep to his heart.
Tile has been dead for some minutes.
!. cried Manrao, Punt. "NVho can have done
4 this foul crime. violated the sanctity Of
my dWelling?"
TITS murder plainly enough" assented
Estcourt.
"And robbery was the motive" SAID
Jack, pointing to the Parsee's hummer
bund, which had been half-torn from hi
body 'That is where the poor fellow
kept his family heirloom or taiisman.
''It Is gone" said the zemndar, max
ing a hasty search. "Sahibs. ono Of m!
own people is the assassin. But how !!
he to be discovered since he is nov
mingled with the rest 2"
"By Jove, look here!' exclaimed Est
court
He lifted tho dead mans bandage'
hnnd which had become unwrapped a
far as the wrist OF a snakebite Their
was not the faintest sign. but the llttl
finger was missing,
"ThIs Is strange indeed!' muttered tn
zemindar. '.rhe stump has long sine
healed. Why did Nath Baner5l tell me
false tale?"
meaning glances. The tragic death OF Io
bias clink and the theft Of his parccss
the escape OF the unknown murderer III
severed finger that was found lying
the dust-all this flashed on the youn
ottlcer's memory, and set his brain splI
ming with beWllderment. w NAT ala
mean2 Where was the clew to tho nys
teryP
"Was / wrong in suspecting Joel spar
ish?'' he asked himself. WAS me rn'
= see the guilty man-the thief a''a NV
: derer2" $3.50, m,,o >,