Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1908-10-08


ken. and some time will be required to
az Il properly. Here is q magazine
and. as there are no ladies about. q
cigar II you like"
Then the doctor, with the courtly
manners OF virginian. and the frank.
pleasant smile of downright good
fellow, withdrew to prepare gold cap
for the broken tooth. When had
finished my cigar I felt too lazy to
read, and as I sat glancing about. q
CLEAN OF prismatic coloring caught my
eye. II was reflected from ring upon
my finger. A shot OF sunlight had
come down from an opening In the
shutter just above my head, and the
large diamond in the setting was dane
ing with fantastic coloring.
This ring was unique. II was q
serpentine coil of gold; the head was
q large Golconda diamond Of unusual
purity; this was hooded round with
. slender gold band: the eyes were
two pigeon-blood rubies.
Two years before had been In her
majesty's service in India and for q
period of ten months was stationed In
the dependent state OF Vizianagram.
The states business, which consisted
chiefly in grinding more money out
OF the ryots (small-farmers). was car
ried on by the Dewan, and a grand
revenue collector he was, too.
Jugganath Raj was wealthy. From
being clerk in the Dewan's office. he
had risen to be Dewan himself. And
when the ryots brought their families
and begged him In the name OF all
their gods to be merciful, he spat at
them and reviled them, and stripped
the women of their jewels to pay the
tithes. To the Europeans he was "Old
Jug" but to the poor natives Of the
lower class he was "Sir P. Jugganath
Sahib Gam, Dewan."
It was of this man had the ring:
not that we were friends-no man was
a friend Of Jugganath Raj-and that
was the strangest part Of 1t. When /
was leaving I went to pay the fare
well visit which native etiquette de-
mands, he presented me with this ring,
saying: "The Sahib Is great. am the
Rajah's servant, but perhaps some
time this will make you think OF me.
Do not lose 1t, Sahib, and" with a
laugh like a hyena: do not admire 1t
too much"
The snakes eyes fascinated me this
afternoon as I sat in the comfortable
leathern operating chair ana gazed
fixedly at them.
It was as though had been touched
by the wand Of a Hindu magician. The
old life at Vizianagram opened up be-
fore me as one unfolds a Japanese
screen.
was glad when I heard footsteps
behind me. The newcomer was tall,
male young man with decided stoop,
hair worn rather long and parted IN
the middle, blue, serious eyes with q
droop in the left eyelid, and caught
the CLEAN of heavy gold filling promin'
emily displayed in his front upper
teeth when he smiled. ..
All at once the young man clutched
my hand with a vise-like grip and be-
gan tearing the ring from my finger.
struggled desperately and tried 10
shout. but l was powerless and voice
less. Then awoke with start, and,
staggering to my feet. was confronted
by-Dr. Balasco!
"Well, by Jove!" he said. with his
pleasant laugh. you have had great
sleep. / must have startled you when
l put my hand on your arm"
I stared stupidity at him a moment,
then things began to take shape IN
INV mind and assume their natural Sc
uuence. I glanced at my hand. No. l
had not been dreaming; the ring was
gone!
"Where is he?" gasped. The thief
did you see him 60 out?"
what theft" asked the doctor,
looking at me quizzically.
81 have been robbed" ! blurted out.
Doctor, a man came in during your
absence and stole valuable ring from
my finger"
gave the doctor hurried account
of the sudden appearance Of the young
man. He listened with increasing as
constituent. Can you describe himT
hO asked.
did SO infinitely. at is very pecu-
liar" he answered. you have accu-
rately described my assistant, Mr.. Va
lloyd, but I can bear witness that he
has not been here since 1 left you. He
has been at work In an inner room,
the only exit from which is through
INV ofice, where have been constant
" engaged for the past hour"
DIR. Balasco's manner was perfectly
judicial, and he appeared to be weigh
ing the matter carefully. Come with
me " he added. I'VE VIII investigate