Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-16

floor and released. Bare feet scurried
away in the darkness and q door closed
with a resOunding bang. He was alone.
for all he could say to the. contrary
was astonished; he had not been disarmed.
He got up and felt OF himself. marveling
that his pocket still sagged with the
weight of the pistol as much as at the
circumstance that, aside from the inevita-
BILE damage to his clothtng-a coat sleeve
ripped from the armhole. several but
tons missing, suspenders broken-he had
come out of the melee unhurt. not even
bruised. save for the hand that had been
cut by the emerald. He wrapped hand
pistol out. deriving great deal Of COM
fort from the way 1t balanced, its rough
ened grip nesting snugly in his palm.
He fairly itched to use the thing but
lacking an excuse. had time to take more
rational counsel of himself. 1t were GER
tainly unwise to presume upon the pa
thence Of his captors: though he had bat
tered some OF them pretty brutality and
himself escaped reprisals. the part of wis
dom would seem to be to save his am
munition.
With this running through his mind.
the room was suddenly revealed to his
eyes. that had so long strained fruitlessly
to see. A flood Of lamplight leaped
through some opening behind him and
showed him his shadow. long and gigan-
stone He wheeled about, alert as a cat.
and the sight of his pistol hung steady
between the eyes OF one who stood at
ease, with folded arms. In an open door
way. Over his shoulder was visible the
bare brown poll of an attendant. whose
lank, brown arm held aloft the lamp.
One does not shoot down in cold blood
a man who makes no aggressive move.
and he who stood in the doorway endured
impassively the mute threat of the pistol.
Above it's sight his eyes met Amber's
with level and unwavericH glance, SHIN
ing out of a dark set face cast in a
mold Of insolence and pride. bushy
black beard was parted at his chin and
brushed stiAy back. Between his thin.
hard lips, parted In shadowy smile: MS
taller than Amber and very gracefully
erect in clothing Of q semi-military cut
and OF regal magnificence. every inch OF
his pose bespoke power. position and the
habit of authority: His head was bound
with a turban of spotless white. from
whose clasp, a single splendid emerald, a
jeweled aigret nodded; the bosom Of his
dark-green tunic blazed with orders and
decorations; at his side swung saber
with richly jeweled hilt. Heavy white
gauntlets hid his hands. top boots of pat
emit leather his legs and feet.
At once impressed and irritated by his
attitude, Amber lowered his weapon.
"Well?" he demanded, ENORMOUSLY. What
do you want? What's your part In this
infamous outrage?"
On the others face the faint smile be-
came more definite. He nodded nom
chalantly at Amber's pistol. My lord
intends to shoot?' he inquired In English.
his tone courteous and suave
That's as may be-" retorted Amber.
defiantly. I'm going to have satisfaction
for this outrage IL / die getting it. You
may count on that first and lasty
The man lifted his eyebrows and his
shoulders I'm depreciation. then turned to
his attendant. Put down the light and
leave u.s." he said, CURLY I'm Hindustani.
Bowling obsequiously, the servant en-
tered and departed. leaving the lamp
upon a wooden shelf braced against one
side of the four-square. stone-walled dun
geon. AS he went out he closed the door.
and Amber noted that il was a heavy
sheet of iron or steel. very substantial.