Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-09-06
CHAPTER XIV. (contlnued)

We'll, then, what do you want?
Why have you brought me here?"
Why didst thou come? There was
no force used: thou didst come Of
thine own will-thine own will, which
is the will of the Body, hazoor!"
"Oh, damnation! Why d'you insist
on beating round the bush forever?
You know well why / came. Now,
what do you want?"
MY lord. I move, it seems. in the
ways of error. A little time ago the
words of the Voice we're made known
to thee in far land; thou didst an
swer, coming to this country. A few
days agone myself did repeat to you
the message of the Bell; thou didst
swear thou wouldst not answer, yet
art thou here in Kuttarpur. Am to
be blamed for taking this for a sign
of thy repentance? Hazoor,
the Body is patient, the Will benig-
nant and long-suffering Still is the
Gateway open"
Is that what you wanted to tell
me, Saligh Sipgh7"
What else? Am l to believe thee
a mailman, weary of life, that thou
shouldst venture hither with a heart
hardened against the VIII of the
Body? ] seek but to serve thee in
thus daring thy displeasure. Why
shouldst thou come to Bharuta at all
If thou dost not intend to undergo the
Ordeal OF the Gateway? Am / a fool
orr say it in all respect, my lord
art thou?"
From the look of things, ! fancy
the epiJhet fits us both Salig Singh.
You refuse to take my word fey it that
know nothing of your infam GUS Gate
way and have no intention of ever
approaching IT, that have not drop
of Indian blood in me and am in no
way related to or connected with Har
Dyal Rutton, who is dead"
'I may not believe what l know to
be untrue"
You'll have to learn to recognize
the truth, I'm afraid. For the final
time I tell you that am David Am
Der, citizen of the United States of
America, travelling in India on purely
personal business"
The Rajput inclined his head submits
sively Then is my duty all but done.
hazoor Thrice hath the warning been
given thee There be still four-and-
twenty hours in which, it may be.
thou shalt learn to see clearly. My
lord, / ask of thee a single favor.
Wilt thou follow me?" He motioned
toward the arched entrance to the
passageway.
Follow thee?" Amber at length
dropped into Urdu, unconsciousIy
adopting the easier form of communi-
cation now that, he felt, the issue be
tween them was plain. that the Rajput
labored under no further misunder-
standing as to the reason of his pres
ence in Khandawar "Whither?"
There is that which l must show
thee"
WHAT?
My life be forfeit if thou dost not
return unframed to the resthouse ere
sunrise Wilt thou Gomez"
ITO what end, Salig Singh?"
Furthermore" the Rajput persisted
stubbornly, his head lifted in pride
and his nostrils dilated little with
scorn-"furthermo l offer thee the
word of Rajput Thou art my guest
since thou wilt have it So No harm
shall come 30 thee, upon my honor.
Curiosity triumphed Amber knew
that he had axacted the most honored
pledge known in Rajputana His APP
prehensions were at rest; nothing
could touch hirl now-until he had de-
turned to the bungalow. Then, he di-
vined, 1t was TO be open war-himself
end Labertouche pitted against the
strength of the greatest conspiracy
known in India since the days of 81.
But for the present. no pledge Of any
sort had been exacted of him.
so be it," he assented on impulse.
II follow"