Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-26

imagination must have come very near
the truth
Though the Portuguese did not say as
much. It was not hard to guess that the
cunning receptacle" he had devised for
his last manuscript was the craven image
of NJ Wanga himself His artists eye
had caught the possibilities of the Curl
ously shaped gourd. and, as he said in his
own way. he had used his skill in cary
ing as means of preservation-perhaps
of securing certain measure of good
treatment. No doubt the King of Benin,
sitting on the state stool in front of his
palace of mats and waffle. was greatly
flattered by the portrait. He would ap-
preciate it's realism while missing its
subtle irony. In the circle of subordinate
chiefs and witch-doctors surrounding him
there must have been many who hated
the white man because he won the royal
be wary. and join loudly in the chorus of
praise, for there was grove near by in
which the latest victims of M'Wanga' S
wrath fouled the air with their dead
bodies.
Garcia's description of the black ruler
as King of Benin" puzzled Warden at
first. Modern Benin was far enough re-
moved from Oku and the upper reaches
of the Benue to render the title vague
and seemingly mistaken.
Yet Garcia'S sparse record already
promised an astounding truthfulness.
Warden was quite sure he would discover
some contemporary proof of the loss Of
the Santo Espirito. He believed that any
one who visited the tomb of HaSsan be-
yond the walls of Rabat would find the
| ruby placed there nearly one hundred
and eighty years ago. Why, then, should
the chronicler err in his allusion to
MWanga's rank?
M'Wangas counterfeit answered the
unspoken question. Warden happened to
look at the caabash. now hardly visible
in the ever-increasing darkness. But the
cruel eyes still glinted at him, and he
could almost discover sardonic grin on
the thick lips.
"By Jove!" he muttered. when that
fellow feigned in Benin his empire spread
as far as his reputation. l have no man
ner of doubt but he lived In the interior,
where it is healthier than on the coast.
Yes. you man-devil!' he added, leaping
excitedly to his feet as a new and dis
comforting thought possessed him. You
did mischief enough during your evil life.
and now you have resurrected yourself
just In time to take a silent part in more
of the wild doings in which you would
have gloried.'
For he was spurred to this sudden out
burst by the knowledge that not only did
political trouble loom across the West
African sky. but that he, and he only.
was the Christian and friend to whom
DOmencO Garcia made his dying appeal.
There was ruby Of great price to be
won. and masses to be said in the Cathe-
Qrdl or Cne fdtrlaTCn at LISBON. COulU
he refuse to fulfill the terms of that pa
thetic bequest? He had nearly six months
Of unexpired furlough at disposal. and
the under secretary did not appear to
have any dread of immediate develop
ments in Nigeria, such as would demand
the recall of officers to their duties. What
argument would convince his own mind
that he might justly decline an almost in
tolerable legacy?
Well, he would go into the pros and
cons of doubtful problem later He
was not rich man. and the journey to
Rabat and back would probably be very
expensive. Certainly that ruby would
look very we'll on the white throat of
Evelyn Dane. though people might we'll
wonder how the wife of poorly paid
official could afford to wear a gem of
great price.
The conceit so tickled him that he
laughed. laughed all the louder. perhaps
because he was conscious that the black
King of Benin was soothing at him ma
licious.y from the table. But the glee
died in his throat when thunderous dou-
BILE rat-tat shook tire outer door of the
fiat. and Warden was prepared. for one
thrilling instant, to fight legion Of
ghosts and demons if need be. Then his
scattered wits told him that his majesty's
post demanded his appearance. He struck
a match lighted the gas and went to the
door, where a small boy who seemed to
be physically incapable Of using knocker
gram.
1t was brief and to the point:
Sans Souci sailed pm. Niggers and
friend left for London $50. Thought you
would like to know. Peter.
ITO be continued tomorrow