Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-11

The fanatic drew back pace as if about
to hurl himself upon Perrin; but, meeting a
certain look on Perrin S face, desisted. He
drew his sheet over his shoulders, darted a
sinister glance, and strobe down the road.
Perrin watched until the fanatic had turned
bend; then gave reassur1ng wave to
white figure on the veranda and rode OF to
camp. What he did not see was that the
fanatic had been joined by two companions,
and that the three entered a wayside temple.
Perrin galloped into camp, to find moving
day in full progress. 1t does not require
vehicle to transport the household effects of
ninety per cent of Hindu families. A string
bed, quilt and few cooking pots make
change of residence swift and simple mat
ter Experience reaching back into ages of
war and plumber has taught them to prefer
that way. And they were going, every man,
woman, and toddling mite of infant nudity.
As to the cause, it was right there IN front
of PERKINS, tent.
The fanatic, whom Perrin vainly imagined
tramping hence at his behest, was seated,
squirting at his nose and muttering maledic-
tons. He had cursed the whole works. For
less walled cities have been abandoned. A
short cut might have brought him there
faster than Perrin; but his appearance was
a trifle mysterious and disconcerting. Also
it stirred Perrin's wrath to forcibie action.
He drove away the fanatic and endeavored
to stem the exodus by all kinds of induce
ments; but to no avail of reason that his
tongue could light upon. They just melted
into the surrounding jungle, beds, cooking
pots, and dark skinned little trifles of hui
mainly, clinging to their mothers f1uttering
saris and casting frightened glances back
ward on the exasperated Perrin: That was
his return for beautifully gratifying their
or,,y;,,u tho matter of Sficlry hy, Srocke6
sweetmeats-he had become an unclean, be-
witched thing. Fortunately it was not at a
critical stage of the work; in fact, it was
nearly completed. Finally only his personal
servant remained, and he begged leave of
absence to visit sick uncle.
"Rot!" cried Perrin. "You know it's
lie about your sick uncle. Just state plainly
what is the trouble
Sir replied the servant, there are
things of which it is best not to speak. The
Presence will pardon his slaves ignorance"
mo, WON'T" retorted Perrin. II want
to know. Has it anything to do with that
tigers claw nonsenSe?"
The servant cast terrified look on Perrin
and made an effort to bolt; but was held by
a grip on the shoulder.
"Now, see here! I want to know if there
is such thing as the tiger s claw in existence,
and, if so, how it comes to scare all these
people to death!
Perrin's servant did his best to evade the
question; but finally admitted that every
one knew of the tigers claw, that it pos
sessed the most terrible magic power, and
that its custodians had been seen in the dis
trict.
"That rascal of fakir who was sitting
here just now?" demanded Perrin.
But the servant wriggled out of PERKINS,
grasp and fled. AS he thus jeopardized sew
eral rupees salary, it said much for his fear
of the dread talisman.
DERRIN spent the greater part of the day
= in putting things in security, and toward
evening rode back to Mansel's house. On
the way even his pony seemed nervous, and
bolted suddenly at the futter of a rag
in the jungle growth by the road. Clearly
terror was in the air, and something
likely to happen. When Perrin approached
the house, he caught sight of Mansel and
another man in dapper khaki uniform
pacing the veranda. He overheard scrap
of the newcomers remarks as he climbed the
steps:
Nothing to be at all anxious about, my
dear fellow. Just simple case of bite by
some insect and blood out of order. Will