Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-15
CHAPTER IX-Continued.

In time broad Machua Bazaar street re-
ceived them-Pink Satin and the sailor
man out for night of II. And now
Pink Satin began to stroll more sedately
manifesting a livelier interest I'm the
sights of the wayside. Amber's impa-
tience-for he guessed that they neareC
the goldsmith's stall-increased prodig
iously; the shops. the stalls, the thatche6
dance halls in which arose the hideous
music of the nautch. had no lure for him
though they illustrated all that was most
evil and most depraved in the second city
of the empire He was only eager to
have done with this unsavory adventure
to knOwAga gain the clean walls of his room
in the Great Eastern, to taste again the
purer air OF the MADAM.
Without warning Pink Satin pulled up
extracted from the recesses OF his cos
tune a long, black and vindictive-lookine
native cigar. and lighted 1t. thoughtfully
exhaling the smoke through his nose
while he stared generously at the display
OF a slipper merchant. whose stand was
over across from the stall OF a gold
smith.
With true oriental deliberation PINK
Satin finally made up his mind to move
on. and Amber lurched heavily into the
premises occupied by one Dhola Baksh,
goldsmith
A customer, a slim. handsome Malayan
youth, for the moment held the attention
Of the proprietor The two were nag
CLING with characteristic enjoyment ovei
transaction which seemed to involve
less than twenty rupees. Amber waited
knowing that patience must be his por-
ton until the bargain should be struck
Dhola Baksh himself. lean. sharp
featured Mahratta. gray with age, ap'
praised with single look the new Gus
toner and returned his interest to the
Malay. But Amber garnered from that
glance a sensation OF recognition. He
wondered dimly, why; could the gold
smith have been warned OF his coming?
Two or three more putative customers
idled into the shop. Beyond it's threshold
the stream of native life rolled on, cease
lessly fluent: a pageant of the middle
ages had been no more fantastic and un'
real to western eyes. Now and again q
wayfarer paused. his interest attracted
by the goldsmith's rush of business.
Unexpectedly the proprietor made
substantial concession. Money passed
upon the instant. sealing the bargain
The Malay rose to go. Dhola Baksl
lifted a stony stare to Amber.
Your pleasure. sahib?" he inquired
with a thinly yelled sheer. What neet
to show Difference to a down-at-the-hee
sailor from the port?
II want money! want to borrow
said Amber. promptly.
ION your word, sahib?''
lon security"
What manner OF security can you
offer?'
"A ring-an emerald ring
Dhola Baksh shrugged. His eye:
shifted from Amber to the encirclint
faces OF the bystanders. II am a pool
man." he whined. How should l have
money to lend? Come to me on the NOR
row. then mayhap I may have a few
rupees. Tonight ! have neither cash mol
time"
The hint was lost upon Amber. "A
stone of price" he persisted.
With a disturbed and apprehensive look
the money lender rose. Come, then, M
grumbled, "if you must
A voice cried out behind Amber-"Heh.'
more a squeal than a cry. Intuitively
as at a signal of danger, he leaped aside
simultaneously something like beam OF
light sped past his head. The goldsmith
uttered one dreadful choking scream
and went to his knees. For as many az
three seconds he swayed back and forth
his features terribly contorted. his thin
old hands plucking feebly at the handle
of a broad-bladed dagger which had
transfixed his throat. Then he tumbled
forward on his face. kicking.
There followed a single instant Of sus-
pense and horror, then a mad rush OF
feet as the street stampeded into the
shop. Voices clamored to the skies
Somehow the lights went out.
Amber started to fight his way out. A:
he struggled on. making little Roadway
through the press. hand grasped ms
arm and drew him another way.
Make haste, hazoor!' cried the owner
of the hand, in Hindustani. Make haste
lest they seek to fasten this crime upon
hos