The Huttig news., 1911-07-01

ber's impatience-for he guessed that they neared the goldsmiths stall--in- creased prodigiously.
 Without warning. Pink Satin pulled up, extracted from the recesses of his costume a long, black and vindictive- looking native cigar. and lighted it, thoughtfully exhaling the smoke through his nose while he stared GOV etously at the display of a slipper merchant whose stand was over across from the stall of goldsmith.
 With true oriental deliberation Pink Satin finally made up his mind to move on; and Amber lurched heavily into the premises occupied by one Dhola Baksh, goldsmith.
 customer, slim, handsome Ma layan youth. for the moment held the attention of the proprietor. The two were haggling with characteristic en- joyment over transac tion wh ch seemed 10 involve less ttan twenty rupees. Amber waited, kno~i~g that patience must be his portion untl the bargain should be struck Dhota
 
 Mahratta gray with age, appraised with single look the new customer. and returned his interest 10 the Ma lay But Amber garnered from that glance sensation of recognition. He wondered dimly, why; could the gold smith have been warned of his com ing?
 Two or three more putative custom CTS idled into the shop. Beyond it's thres hold the stream of native life rolled on ceaselessly fluent; pageant of tie middle ages had bean no more antastic and unreal to western eyes. Now and again a wayfarer paused, his interest attracted by the godsmith's rush of business.
 Unexpectedly the proprietor made l substantial concession Money passed upon the instant, sealing the bargain. The Malay rose to go. Dhola Baksh lifted stony stare to Amber.
 Your pleasure. sahib?" he inquired with thinly-veiled sheer What need to show deferenee to a down-at.the- heel sailor from the port?
 T want money-I want to borrow said Amber promptly
 "On yonr word. sahih?"
 "On security"
 What manner of security can you ofrer?'
 "A ring-an emerald ring"
 Dhola Baksh shrugged His eyes shifted from Amber to the encircling faces of the bystanders q am a poor man, he whined How should have money to lend? Come to me on the morrow; then mayhap I may have a few rupees Tonight I have neither cash nor time
 The hint was lost upon Amber "A stone of price" he persisted.
 With disturbed and apprehensive look, the money-lender rose. Come, then, he grumbled, If you must
 A voice cried out behind Amber 'Hehi"-more a squeal than a cry. lntuitively, as at signal of danger, he leaped aside. Simultans onsly something like beam of light sped
  one dreadful, choking scream, and went to his knees. For as many as three seconds he swayed back and forth, his features terribly contorted, his thin old hands pluckirg at the handle of broadbladed dagger which had transfixed his throat. Then he tumbled forward on his face, kicking
 There followed a single instant of suspense and horror, then a mad rush of feet as the street stampeded into the shop. Voices clamored to the skies Somehow the lights went out,
 Amber started to fight his way out. As he struggled on, making little headway through the press. a. hand grasped his arm and drew him an other way.
 Make haste, hazoor!" cried the owner of the hand, in Hindustani. Make haste, lest they seek to fasten this crime upon your head"