Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-17
CHAPTER X-Continued.

Salig Singh put his shoulders against
the wall and, leaning so with arms folded
regarded Amber with a triumph not un-
mixed with contempt. 1t was plain that
he considered his argument final. his case
complete. the verdict his. While Amber
found no words with which to combat his
false impression, and could only stare
open-mouthed and fascinated. But a
length he recollected himself and called
his wits together.
That's all very pretty" he admitted
fairly, but 1t won't hold water. DOM
suppose these faithful servants Of the
Bell you mentioned happened to tell you
that Chatterji himself mistook me fol
Rutton, to begin with, and just found out
his mistake in time to recover the Token
Did they?"
The man shook his head. YEARLY
Nothing to that import hath come to
mine ears" he said.
.'All right. And. OF course, they didn't
tell you that Rutton committed suicide
down there on Long Island. just after he
had killed the babu?"
Again Salig Singh replied by a negative
movement of his head.
We'll, all I've got to say is that your
Internal Body employs a giddy lot OF in
competents to run it's brands"
Salig Singh said nothing and Amber
pondered the situation briefly. He un-
derstood now how the babus companion
had fallen into error-how Chatterji. pos
sessing sufficient intelligence to recognize
his initial mistake. had. having rectified
1t, saved his face by saying nothing TO his
companion Of the incident. and how the
latter had remained in ignorance of Rut-
it, saved his face by saying nothing to his
and had pardonably mistaken Amber for
the man he had been sent to spy upon.
The prologue was plain enough, but how
to deal with this fits sequel was a prob
lem that taxed his ingenuity. A single
solution seemed practicable Of the many
he debated-to get in touch with Laber.
touche and leave the rest to him.
He stood Tor SO long in meditation that
the Rajput began to show traces of i'm
patience. He moved restlessly, yawned
and at length spoke.
lis not my lord content? Can he not
see the dice are cast? What profit can
he think to win through furtherance OF
this farce?"
Well" curiosity prompted Amber to
ask. what do you want of me. Them
lis there need to ask? Through the
Mouthpiece. the Bengal, Behari Lal Chat
terri. whom thou didst STAY. the message
Of the Bell was brought to thee. Thou
hast been called; it is for thee to an
swer."
Called"
ITO the Gateway Of Swords. hazoor"
thunderation is it?''
THAT my lord doth know
"You think SO? Well, have II your own
way. But suppose 1 decline the invita-
tion?''
Salig Singh looked bored. "Since thou
hast come so far" he said. thou wilt
go farther. hazoor."
"Meaning-by force?"
"Of thine own will Those whom the
Voice calleth are not led to the Gateway
by their noses
But" Amber persisted. suppose they
won't go?''
Then, hazoor. doth the Council Of the
Hand sit in judgment upon them"
The significance was savagely obvious.
but Amber merely laughed. And the
Hand strikes, L presume?". Said Singh
nodded. BLESS your heart, I'm not afraid
of your Hand. But am to understand
that compulsion is not to be used in order
to get me to the Gateway-wherever that
is? l mean, I'm free to exercise my judg-
ment whether or not / shall go-free to
leave this place and return to my hotel?''
Gravely the Rajput inclined his head.
Even So" he assented. ~ caused thee
tain what thou hast out of thine own
mouth confirmed-the report that thou
hadst become altogether traitor to the
Bell. So be it. There remains but the
warning that for four days more. and
four days only, the Gateway remains open
closes"
And to those who remain in the outer
darkness on that fifth. day, Salig
God is merciful.' said the Rajput.
piously
VERY well. II that is all. I think
will now leave you. Salig Singh" said
Amber. fondling his pistol meanngly.
'One word more Salig Singh inter
posed. very much alive to Ambers atti
tude, II were unfaithful to the trust thoi
didst once repose In me were 1 not
warn thee that whittier thou goest, tn
Mind will know: what thou dost. the Ely
will see: the words thou shalt utter, tn
Ear will hear. To all things there is a
end also-even to the patience of tn
Body. Shabash.
Thank you most TO death, Salig Singh
Now will you be good enough to order "a
ghari to take me back to the Great East
ern?"
s.Mx lords will Is Ills seryant'a.n Sally