The Elbert County tribune., 1911-12-15

work along that line for the present.
Now, then. where's the woman"
He turned to Ali with a piercing
look The servant salaamed.
"Excellency." said he, I'VE have
verified the address heading the sec
ond note. She is there"
1T IL WELL" said the prince curtly.
"Go!"
He turned to the Swami and, stand
ing with one foot on his chair, raised
his elbow to his knee and lowered his
chin to his hand.
Il believe we're close to the end OF
our quest" he unused. II have a feel
ing we must get the Maharanee to-
night, II We are to recover It at all.
We have played waiting game for
many months. and It is time now to
act. Are you prepared?" e
| II am prepared" f,l
You will not stay yonr hand when
it comes to the point7"
The Swami did not answer. He sat
with folded arms staring at the docu.
ments on the table. 1t was in an al.
tered voice that at length he spoke:
Prince" he said. already the sa-
cred gem should be ruby red with the
blood that has been spilled for 1t.
There is something In the air of this
strange land that makes It distaste-
full to me-the thought of further
bloodshed. Regain the Jewel we must:
but I would 1t could be done without
now sacrifice Of life."
An expression of demoniacal scorn
Kopodop- <nok,~o. ,,uxu .,
confronted the sage with the face OF
a gargoyle.
"And the brethren?" he asked angri-
ly. Can 1t be you have a thought
for these western dogs when your
own brothers of the faith are suffer
ing the shame and pain in which we
left them? Has your heart turned
to water?"
The Swami did not answer. Still
with folded arms, he kept his gaze
on the papers. his features set in quiet
determination.
Are you afraid7" pursued the
prince Does your soul shrink. your
hand draw back, now that the ap-
pointed hour is nigh? Are you true
belieyer and master of the faith, or"
and he almost screamed, IAN apos-
tate?"
The Swami's copper face turned a
| darker shade. A flash of fury scared
his eyes as he raised them to those
OF the prince. He lowered them
again. however, and said. stolidly:
Il am unable to conquer the feeling
that 1t cannot be for the good of the
brothers to wade through blood as
did our fathers for possession of what.
after all. is simply a stone. l know
what 1t means to the chosen ones-to
have that stone taken back to the
Temple. ] feel more keenly than
you can feel the yearning they send
across the seas for the success OF our
mission. But. prince. the Maharanee
diamond, In its journey across the
world. has been purged perhaps Of the
scarlet stains that were upon it. Can
we not take 1t back in all its present
purity? Are we not skilled enough
in the ways of the East to recover our
own without bearing death to the
men of the West?"
Kananda spurned the chair away
and, gripping the table with both
hands. leaned toward the scholar.
Listen to me. master." he said
savagely. 1T was all these possibili-
ties my father anticipated when he
sent me as your companion in this en-
terprise. He knew / was experienced
in the wiles of these Western dogs.
He was aware that in the English uni
versity and the British capital, as we'll
as in the cities of the European conti-
nent, had mingled with them in
their pastimes and in their homes
that had teen and heard their puer-
lie philosophy-that had studied
their womanish religions, and that |
had experienced all the soul poison
by which their so-called civilization
turns men to children. Can you guess
the orders the Maharajah laid upon
me when he bade me come with you?'
The Swami still maintained dig
nified silence.
Il will tell you." continued the
prince. MY father said: The time
may come. my son, when your friend.
the great teacher. quails from that
which is before him. II it comes, then
| when It comes. strike as swiftly and
surely as you would strike to save
your throne And l will strike, my
masterl" Kananda added grimly res
olute. 'If you finch from any neces-
sity that arises in carrying out this
task of ours. l will warn you once
even as l am warning you now-and
then, II you still stay your hand or seek
TO save the least of those who may
stand between us and the sacred
Jewel, by God I'll kill you'll"
The scholars imperturbability was
proof against Kananda's violence OF
word and manner The only sign he
gave was slight tightening of his
fingers as they clasped his arms. and