Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-05

after another pause he questioned again:
wan, wah! And then-iid he speak
was ne conscious at the end?"
He spoke. yes; but whether he was con-
scious cannot say" And Abdulla shud-
dered as If at some fearful thing.
What ails thee. man.
An, this Sahib was good to me- my
father. He saved the child's life, and l.
tic! tic, thou fool! 1t was thy skin or
his But what did he say? Did he sus-
pect?'
He spake strange words, and whether
ne suspected or not l cannot say, but he
gazed deep into my eyes and whispered: !
father
Juggi Bins jaw dropped slowly as he
leaned forward listening to Abdulla's slow
! impressive words. and there was a fright.
ened catch in his voice as he asked:
again?"
II cannot say, Rao-Sahib what he meant
unless Nay. cannot say
Unless what? Speak out thy mind
man.
."Aguf came again." Abdulla faltered
Aguf! Aguf! Twas dream. I told
"Ah. yes. I remember I thought per.
chance 1t was ghost that had disturbed
thee SO; but IL .nou art sure"
! Sure? Sure? What meanest thou pig
Curse thee! Get thee gone with thy long
face and croaking words. thou silly son OF
she-ass! If thou art sure indeed! Get
thee gone. say"
And Abdulla wisely retreated
But Juggi BIN was far from sure, despite
his bile and after Abdulla left he had re.
course to the brandy once more.
Under Its Quickening influence he shook
off some of lis fear, and began to ponder
what Abdulla's news meant to him. Fifty
thousand rupees of blood money was due
him, with an extra Ave thousand on de-
| livery of the moonstone crystal-not bad
transaction. ~
and as he pondered 1t he began to glow
with satisfaction. And then he scowled as
the thought Of his instrument. Abdulla
crossed his mind. The fellow plainly had
some sentiment about the late DIR. Sabib
that made him dangerous: yes, and he
knew too much! Well. he would
day or two. SO that he might join the mas
ter he was so fond Of.
He chuckIed at this last witty thought
and. rising. crossed the room somewha,
with a cunning light in his eyes, The house
was quite silent, and f0rgetful of the fact
that his servant had not been to him, he
shut the door, locked and bolted it and then
went over to the farther wall and lifted the
heavy hangings.
There was click in the wainscoting un-
der the pressure Of his fingers, and. setting
down the lamp. he thrust both hands under
the tapestry and drew out a little sandal.
wood box. He opened 1t evidently with
peasant anticipation, and drew out some
thing that glittered brilliantly in the lamp
light. 1t was the yellow pearl-rimmee
moonstone.
He touched 1t gently patted 1t and
smoothed 1t caressingiy, then. with a low,
fat chuckle. lifted the lamp and moved
1t back and forth. taking childish
pleasure In the flashing rays which
| the crystal gave back to the light.
And then he stopped suddenly, with both
arms still raised; the fatuous smile stiff
fened on his face for q moment, changing
gradually to a look of fear
What was it, His glance crept slowly
and fearfully over his shoulder. He had
heard the tapestry rustic. and then q sigh
surely 1t was q sigh! He came right
around. faced about, with the lamp still
raised, peering with bulging eyes and