Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-22
CHAPTER V-Continued.

CHAPTER V-Continued.
! His extraordinary excitement. apparent
" unreasonable and entirely opposed to
his calm, easy-going habits. had the ef-
feet of setting fire to her dormant sus-
/! picion. She wrenched herself free.
Il am not going to tell him lie" she
said, firmly.
! Lois 20. are a little fool. Do as |
| tell you. 1t Isn't a lie-only piece OF
| conventional humhug which everybody
| understands There. please His tone
of entreaty was more disagreeable TO her
| than his roughness. All the pride and
rightly of her Puritan temperament was
| mp in arms against the indeiinable some
| thing which Il had long ago recognized
! and despisest.
1T is rot conventional humbug. she
! retor;ed-'.not in this case. You are lying
because you are afraid, because you nave
| q reason for not seeing Capt stafford
| which YOU won't tell me-
| He had not time to answer. The cur
| tains We're pushed one side and Stat
ford entered hurriedly. He was covered
! with dust and looked haggard and ex-
hausted. lie did not seem to see Lois.
though she stood Immediately in from; of
| him. His eyes passed over her head -
Travers.
Il am sorry to come IN urannolnced.
he said, without giving either an oppor-
tunity to speak, but your servant was
making difficulties and ! have not a min
ute to lose. / have gailop.i every lien
of the way here from the co:one!a bin-
galow. l must speak 20 you at once,
TraverS. alone.
passed him she saw him look at her Tor
the first time. And she went her way,
! blinded with tears that had no cause save
! in the stern. unhappy face which nal
q H. bow T.nY
that his glance had been a MESSAGE: u AT
he had tried to explain, and that she had
rot understood. The curtain fell behind
her and Stafford crossed the room to
| Travers' side.
You have heard what has happened"
he demanded.
Travers had resumed MS Old attitude of
indifference. Only his eyes betrayed the
uneasness which he was really feet1S-
| do you mean the I'd Jan? No, | invent
heard anything, but if he is making h NJ
self a nuisance. am not surprised. l eN-
pected it,
| Don't talk like that stafford ex-
claimed, bringing his cien>n.d hand down
on the table. How dare ~. Have y,u
no sense of responsibility? For you It was
no more than doubtful speculation. and
you took care that there waro no risks:
but for Marut 1t means heaven know.
| what IL means
Nothing returned Travers. coolly-
Nothing 10 get heated about. The ralaa
feels sore no doubt, out that viii pass.
And that Is not my fault. il would rave
been all right II Miss Cary mad not-wei,
made such a fool of herself, and me-
denta'ly of us ali.
Stafford gazed steadily at the man VINO
smiled at him. He could not UNDERSTAND:
moral foundations
| You are no doubt, preparing TO start
for Madras? he asked controlling his
voice with a strong effort.
Certainly. There is nothing more to
be done here.
Let me tell you that you are not likely
to leave Marut alive
Travers laughed
Nonsense. my dear captain. ann not
to be frightened with nursery 5aies.''
1T is not nursery Tale. | give YOU
my word of honor that befo-e nightfa |
we shall be overwhelmed by Lor.c a
hundred times larger than anything we
can bring on the field for weeks 20 come.
Travers shifted mis- position carelesslH
Stafford had not succeeded in frightening
him. He did not believe in E.itive rebel
lions. What he had seen OF the tllndn
character convinced him OF its fu1da
mental coWardtcc and lncapa3ilitv 1of III
dependent action.
"A few bank cartridges will bring the
rajah very quickly 20 his senses ne as
sured Stafford. with perfect good hiiror.
! We have nothing to be afraid of in That
quarter"
You really think that?" Stafford de-
manded significantly. Knowing what
you know, YOU think We have no cause
| to fear him.
Travers changed color the uneasy
| flicker in his eyes returned
| What on earth do you !n2aEc
You know very Well. You know whom
| we shall be lighting against"
| ''Of course-a headlong. inexperienced
| Hindu prince
You are choosing TO have a very shor'
memory. Neha, Singh is more than that.
Travers stood upright. The hea'thS
glow had died ont OF his cheeks.
| Look here, Stafford he said. roughly,
what is it you want? IAN sec you
want something"
Yes Give me back my promise.
cannot keep il any longer
do yon think | extort promises mat
!, don't want kept? Are you in eain st:
Yes. terribly in earnest. Look The
thing in the face Travers. Our ives ano.
what i far more. the lives of our wo.aen
and heaven knows how many of our coun-
trymen. hang in the balance. Ii You uon'
believe me ask Nicholson.
Il shah believe what like. Irare-s
began to pace backward and forward. hrs
mind busy with lightning calculations.
Before nightfan they would be cur OF
Marut Stafford was eXaGgeratins thc
DANCE, perhaps for his own purposes.
The whole thing was nonsense
II keep you to your promise, he saic.
obs .inate.y.
stafford lifted his head. The mans raj,
ural reserve and conventional:sm w-ce
borne down by the seEse Of his helpless
ness. lie was lighting against Il giant Of
egosn. as il seemed 70 aim OF gross and
criminal stupidity. for the lives of unto.d
hundreds
You cannot realize what you as CO.
,rg" Ii. said. 1T is our one hope of
no ding the ia jahs hand. and with eve.
moment the danger is increasing. ~ !
came along the road passed crowds Of
natives on The way TO the palace. Most
OF them We're men from Your mi..e
Trayers and they had an ugly look. They
die NOT touch me. il is true, but believe
they are only waiting for Nehal Singh's
order, and then il will be too late.
'Traycrs we must do everything in our
power 10 prevent him giving that order
have promised Col. Carmichael 10 do
what | could. At y | must be back.
Or
Travers swuag around. His face was
iivid.
You told him?
NO, bur ] must. ! cannot keep my
il YOU because YOU told me that | was
not concerned. Now I am concerned |
dare not keep silence.
My dear fellow, you muSt-that is if
YOU are a man of honor.
''Of what use is the secret to you:
THAT Is my affair. There was n time
when you were anxious enough "a keep