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

his race darkened.
Il presume You know what that means"
he said, with a significant jerk of his
head toward the door It'll never be
shut on me alone. Well leave together.
you and /. If we both go out feet first"
He lifted the pistol and took the measure
of the man. not In any spirit of bravado.
but with absolute sincerity. II trust l
make my meaning plain?'
Most clear. hazoor." The other showed
his teeth in an appreciative smile. And
yet"-with an expressive outward move
ment of both hands-"what is the need of
all this?'
WHAT Amber choked with resent
ment. What was the need OF setting
your thugs upon me-of KIDNAPPING me?'
THAT, my lord. was an error of judg-
ment on the part of one who shall pay
for II full measure. 1 trust you were not
rudely treated"
I'D like to know what In blazes you
call it, snapped Amber. I'm logged
by your spies-heaven knows why!-lured
to this place, butted bodily into the arms
and finally locked UP in a dark cell. /
don't suppose you've got the nerve to call
that courteous treatment"
He had an advantage, and knowing 1t
was pushing II to the limit: for all his
nonchalance the black man was not un-
forgot It. And Amber's eyes left his not
an instant. Despite that the fellows next
move was distinct surprise.
Suddenly and with superb grace he step
ped forward and dropped to one knee at
Ambers feet. bowling his head and offer
ing the hilt of his sword to the American.
my lord" he said swiftly in Hindus-
tani, eff have misjudged thee. if / have
earned thy displeasure. upon my head be
it. See: give my life into thy hands;
/ am as dust. An iii report of thee
was brought to me and did err in cred
iting II. 1t IL true that / set this trap
for thee; but see. my lord! though / did
so, 1t was with no evil intent. I thought
but to make sure Of thee and bid thee
welcome. as a faithful steward should,
to thy motherland. - Maha Rao Rama,
Har Dyal Rutton Bahadur, Heaven born,
King of Kings. Chosen OF the Voice.
Cherished Of the Eye. Beloved of the
flesh of the Body. Guardian of the Gate
way of Swords. )" I. thy servant. Salig
Singh. bid thee welcome to Bharuta.''
Sonorous and not unpleasing. his voice
trembled with intense and unquestionable
earnestness, and when 1t ceased he re-
manned motionless in his attitude of hu-
mility. Amber, hardly able to credit his
hearing. stared down at the man stupid
ly, his head awhiri with curiously COM
mingled sensations of amusement and en-
lightenment. Presently he laughed
shortly.
Get up" he said: get up and stand
over there by the wall and don't be
silly ass"
"Hazoor!' There was reproach in Salig
Singh's accents: but he obeyed. rising and
retreating to the further wall. there to
hold himself at attention.
Now see here" began Amber, design
eddy continuing his half of the CONVERSE
ton in English-far too much misunder-
standing had already been brought about
by his too-ready familiarity with Urdu.
He paused a little to collect his thoughts
then resumed: Now see here. you're
Salig Singh, Maharana Of Khandawar?"
This much he recalled from his CONVEX
sation with Labertouche couple of hours
gone.
"Hazoor why dost thou need ask? Thou
dost know" The Rajput. on his part
steadfastly refused to return to English.
But you are, aren't your