Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1911-06-15


blast Of frosty air and a furry o
snow swept across the room. AnC
against the door there leaned q maj
putting for breath and coughing spas
modically-a gross and monstroui
bulk OF flesh. unclean and unwhole
some to the eye. attired in an extrav
agant array Of colored garments
tawdry silks and satins clinging, sod
den to his ponderous and unwieldJ
limbs.
THE babu!" cried Amber unconsci
ously; and was rewarded by flash
OF recognition from the ccal-black
beady. evil eyes of the man.
But for that involuntary exclama
ton the tableau held unbroken for q
space; Rutton standing transfixed, the
torn halves of the cigarette between
his fingers, his head we'll up and back
his stare level, direct. uncompromis
ing. a steady challenge to the in
truder.
Then, demanding Amber's silence
with an imperative movement Of his
hand. Rutton spoke We'll, babu?"
he said quietly. the shadow OF bitter
and weary smile curving his thin,
hard lips.
The Bengal moved a pace or two
from the door. and plucked nervously
at the throat Of his surtout, finally
managing to insert one hand In the
folds Of silk across his bosom.
Il SEEK" he said distinctly in Urdu,
and not without a definite note Of
menace in his manner the man call
ing himself Rutton Sahib?"
Very deliberately Rutton inclined
his head. Il am he"
"Hazoor!" The babu laboriously
doubled up his enormous body in pro-
found obeisance. Having recovered.
he nodded to Amber with the easy ia.
miliarity Of an old acquaintance. ITO
you. likewise, greeting. Amber Sa-
hib."
What" Rutton swung sharply to
Amber with an exclamation of amaze
ment. You know this fellow, David?"
The babu cut In hastily, stimulated
by pressing anxiety to clear himself.
"Hazor, did but err, being misled by
his knowledge Of our tongue as we'll
as by that pale look Of you he wears.
And, indeed. is 1t strange that should
take him for you. who was told to
seek you in this wild land?"
BE SILENT" Rutton told him an
grily.
my lords will is his slaves" Re-
signedly the babu folded his fat arms.
Tell me about this" Rutton de-
manded Of Amber.
"The ass ran across me in the
woods south Of the station. the day
/ came down." explained Amber, sum-
marking the episode as succinctly as
he could. He didn't call me by your
name. but I've no debut he's telling
the truth about mistaking me for you
At all events he hazoor-ed me a num-
Der Of times, talked lot Of rot about
some silly Voice, and finally made
me free gift Of a nice little bronze
box that wouldn't open. After which
he took to his heels, saying he'd call
later for my answer-whatever he
meant by that. He did call by night
and stole the box. That's about all
know Of him, thus far. But I'd watch
out for him. II l were you: II he isn't
raving lunatic, miss my guess"
Indeed, my lord. 1t is all quite as
the sahib says" the babu admitted
graclously, his eyes cleaning with
sardonic amusement. circumstances
conspired to mislead me; but thct l
was swift to discover. Nor did I lose
time in remedying the error, as you
have heard. Moreover"
He shut up suddenly at a sign from
Rutton. with ludlcrous shrug Of his
huge shoulders disclalming any ill.in.
tent or wrong.doing; and while Rut-
ton remained deep in thought by the
table. the babu held silence, his gaze
fiickering suspiciously round the
room.
At length Rutton looked up, sup
pressing a sigh. Your errand, babu?"
rs 1t, then, your will that / should
speak before this MANI" The Bengal
nodded impudently at Amber.
1T is my will"
"Shabash! bear a message, ha-
zoor. from the Bell"
you are the Mouthpiece of the
Voice?"
THAT honor is mine, hazoor. For
the rest / am"
"Behari Lal Chatterjl." interrupted
Rutton impatiently; solicitor Of the
Inner Temple-disbarred; anointed
thief. liar. jackal, lickspittle. and per
jurer-I know you"
MY lord" said the man insolently,
'omits from his catalogue Of my &C.
complishments my chiefest honor; he
forgets that, with him, I am an &C
cepted Member Of the Body"
The Body wears strange members
that employs you, babg" commented
Rutton bitterly. 1T has fallen upon
evil days when such as you are
with a message Of the Bell"
my lord Is harsh to one who would
be his slave in all things. Fortunate
indeed am to own the protection Of
the Token" A slow leer widened
-ro,uflv ttnon hia n.lfira 0oca