Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-04


Remember his last words. If you hear
row in the hall, that is your chance to escaped"
Then he thrust her back into the way whence she
came.
DOCTOR SAHIB, there is doubt the Maharaja is
= dead" Such the news he received when he
stepped out into the Hall of the Panther He yawned
if just reused from Sleep and strobe over to the
royal couch. He thrust aside the gathering of atten
dants and took the Maharajas hand in his. pressing
Does the Doctor Sahib give the word?" asked
Narayan Rao with glance toward the panther cage
The Doctor Sahib would have liked very much to
throttle the Prime Minister for the sake of that glance
but he held himself well in hand. Certainly not he
replied. "Dead3 Not at ALL His Highness is resting
easily. know what | am talking about he added
with air of authority, catching doubtful expressions
surrounding faces The crisis is over for the time
being. should not be surprised if the Maharaja woke
in the morning much refreshed But you must not
crowd round him like this, he ordered, and want
small cup of warm water.
Narayan Rao gave directions that the Doctor Sahib
be obeyed. In little while the cup of warm water was
brought. The doctor emptied three parts of its con-
tents Then he drew out his hypodermc case. uncorked
glass tube and from it dropped tablet into the re-
manning He stirred the water with his finger
until the tablet had dissolved. Then he fitted needle
in the syringe and pretended to give himself an inJec
ton.
Rao
Meanwhile he had concealed the syringe in the region
of his sleeve All this done if no desperately
harassng problem on his mnd-to the extent OF
womans life at stake with every passing moment. He
strolled calmly up and down. gradually nearing the
panthers cage The panther sat on her launches.
flashing her green eyes upon him. Presently he halted
in front of her cage. With angry snarl the beast
sprang forward to the bars beating them with her paws
in her rage. DR.. Ward stepped back pace, and the
panther baed of her purpose dropped from the bars
Glazing with full eyes, she presently turned her flank.
Quickly the doctors hand shot between the bars and
the hypodermic needle was pressed home near to the
panthers spine The faint click of full charge injected
lost in returning paroxysm OF the beasts anger
If the Doctor Sahib pleases. cried Narayan Rao.
Fastening forward that animal is very jealous OF the
Maharaja. She might do the Doctor Sahib harm If he
ventures too close to her cage.
"Ah!" replied Dr. Ward. "Yes she seems bit
fierce; thought she looked SICK but probably was
mistaken"
Then he waited, pacing up and down as before. but
with eye turned constantly on the panthers cage
How long. he wondered, would it take for the injected
poison work. He had idea Of the dose required
to kill panther twentieth part of what he had given
would settle man.
Doctor Sahib Narayan RaO halted him at turn.
I'VE feel sure the Maharaja is dead.
The doctor glanced his shoulder to that the
panther had Topped down and was gasping for breath
"You need not trouble about the MaharaJa, he re-
piled; but I'll bet lac of rupees the Maharaa's pan
ther will be dead in half minute Look for yourself
LIE raised his voice so that might be heard by every
= one Instantly the wild confusion he anticipated
seized hold Of all present. If the Doctor Sahb said
the Maharaja would wake in the morning. and find his
panther dead then beatngS in store for those he
chose to hold responsible Those that did not crowd in
front of the panhers cage prepared to decamp Thirty
voices filled the air. each accusing the other OF the pan
theirs death. For the time being the Maharaja
forgotten In the midst of the tumult. the Doctor gave
vent to a breath of relief when he muled figure
steal swiftly through the back of the hall and unm
peded into the dark court. Realizing that it might
hazard her chance of escape follow Immediately he
waited until he reckoned she had gained freedom from
the palace. Then he insisted that Naayan Rao give
him an attendant to pilot the way to the nearest exit
If the Maharaja needed his services before morning
messenger would bring him at once; but he hardly
thought that would be likely. His Highness was still
resting comfortably.
Narayan Rao in such state of excitement that
he had complied with the doctors request, before COM
&c Gao truth he Mahar