Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-07

it seemed laden with the age oppressed weight of
European tell what, though it sinks into very
marrow of his bones.
eff you really have decided to the stone, said
the Colonel at last in measured accents, cannot pre-
vent you; but warn beforehand that you will not
escape its influence. You will return to it again, fear,
to your misfortune.
las said before am ready to take the risk" as
serted Harding
The Colonel regarded Harding steadily for moment.
would you to it now? he asked.
Il certainly would at any time"
Every we'll, let us 60 then Bhatta has been expect
ing for several nights; but evening dress
hardly appropriate, suppose go in and change into
something less conspicuous.
IN little while both reappeared suitably dressed
for the venture 1t had sunk in Harding estimation
to exhibition of superstition on the Colonels
part. Having the stone, he thought it would be
fairly easy matter to dissipate whatever influence it
held the Colonel and at the same time terminate
that of Bhatta. The temple lay amid wide spreading
banyan trees on the outskirts of the city, far distant
from the Residency. Harding had passed the temple
in the daytime and knew its direction but in the dark
he kept close at the Colonels side AS they went
along the Colonel related somewhat of the stones his
tory how it had been in possession of the Brahmans for
thousands of years. according to tradition having orig
nally descended from the gods, and according to
prophecy would at some period be reclaimed by them
all of which impressed Harding a or less in
teresting fairytae.
1t lasted until they reached the court of the
temple shrouded in profound silence There the Colonel
babe Harding wait while he went in search of Bhatta
The Colonel was gone but few minutes, when he
turned with sheet draped figure bearing torch Of
all the unprepossessng countenances tame had ever
Illuminated, Harding reckoned Bhattas as probably
the most pronounced. 1t certainly mystery how
the Colonel had come to be influenced by such man,
though responsiveness is we'll known possess
fascinating attraction as one might illustrate by any
form of reptile
No words were passed among the three, Bhatta
y leading the way noiselessly into the temple. The
purpose of the torch presently disclosed in order
to avoid the recumbent figures that seemed to have
dropped down on the pavement wherever sleep had
take Passing through
small inner court Bhatta hung the torch on bracket
and entered narrow passage This terminated IN
sliding stone door. Bhatta drew the door open and
motioned the others to enter.
HARDING stood transfxed with amazement. He
IL was too deeply impressed with the he beeld
to take heed of the Coones actions though he retained
a vague impression afterward of his companion per-
forming low obeisance, with Bhattas sinister figure
lowering above him. AS far as Harding has been able
to explain, he found himself in comparatively small
circular chamber, the walls of which paneled with
some highly polished metal.
In the center, seated on pedestal, rose figure of
Brahna; the usual hideous image of that deity, but
Brahma in his philosophical attribute of eternal med
tation. The hands of the image held together out
ward with the palms appraised, and in them reposed
what appeared to be crystal casket containing gs
tening white substance which shone by its
power with light that no diamond could produce And
from the casket shot vetable rain of sparklke pro-
jectiles which spattered the polished metal paneng
of the chamber with noseless but seemingly terrific
force Neither Harding body those of the Colonel
or Bhatta offered any resistance to the flashes, which
passed through them with the speed of lightning With
the flashes there also appeared to emanate subtle
vapor from the casket which charged the atmosphere
and affected Harding with peculiar sensation of physi
cal buoyancy. In silence which that of a tomb
the dazzling white light which could not be shut out by
closing the eyes, the shower of sparks sweeping like
meteorites from the heart of eternal element, the
crystal casket upheld by the imposing figure of the
Hindu god, little short of appalling. Harding did
not deny to himself that he stood in the presence of
mystery that many beside the Colonel would have re-
garded with superstltious awe.
They had remained but few seconds in the chamber
81 IL. IL