The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-06-15
~ LOLI3 OOSEaE NNNt-E
CHAPTER lX-Continued.

In time broad Machua bazaar street
received them-Pink Satin and the
sailorman out for a night OF 1t. And
nov Pink Satin began TO stroll more
sedately, manifesting a l~ivelier inter
est In the sights Of the Wayside. Am
ber's impatience-for he guessed that
they neared the goldsmith's stau-in.
creased p~rodigiously.
Without warning, Pink Satin pulled
up, extracted from the recesses Of his
costume a long, black and yindictive-
looking native cigar, and lighted 1t,
~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 a 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, a goldsmith.
A customer, a slim. handsome Ma
layan youth, for the II held the
attention of the proprietor. The two
were ~haggling with characteristic en-
joyment over a transaction which
seemed to involve less than twenty
rupees. Amber waited, knowing that
patience must be his portion until the
bargain should be struck. Dhola
Baksh himself, a lean, sharp-featured
Mahratta gray with age, appraised
with a single look the new customer,
and returned his interest to the Ma
lay. But Amber garnered from that
glance a sensation OF recognition. He
wondered dimly, why; could the gold
smith have been warned Of his com
ing7
Two or three more put8tive custom
ers idled into the shop, Beyond It's
threshold the stream OF native life
rolled on, ceaselessiy fluent; a pageant
OF the middle ages had been no more
fantastic and unreal to western eyes.
Now and again a wayfarer paused, his
interest attracted by the goldsmith's
rush OF business.
Unexpectedly the proprietor made
a substantial concession. Money
passed upon the instant, scaling the
bargain. The Malay rose to go.
Dhola Baksh lifted a stony stare to
Amber.
Your pleasure. sahib?" he inquired.
with a thinly.veiled sneer. What need
to show Difference TO q d~own-at-the-
heel sailor from the port7
Il want money! want to borrow"
said Amber promptly.
"On your word, sahib?"
"On security"
What manner Of security can you
oEer?"
"A ring-an emerald ring"
Dhola Baksh shrugged. His eyes
shifted from Amber to the encircllng
faces OF the bystanders. Il am a poor
man he whined. How should I have
money to lend? Come to me on the
morrow then mayhap l may have a
few rupees. Tonight l have neither
cash nor time
The hint was lost upon Amber, "A
stone Of price" he persisted.
With a disturbed and apprehens!ve
look, the money-lender rose. Come,
then" he grumbled. If you must"
A voice cried u behind Amber
"Heh,'-mOre a squeal than a cry.
Intuitively, as at a signal of danger,
he leaped aside. simultaneously
something like a beam Of light sped
past his head. The goldsmith uttered
M 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 p%lucking at the
handle OF a broadbladed dagger which
had trans1xed his throat. Then he
tumbled forward on his face, kicking.
There followed a single instant Of
suspense and horror, then a mao rush
OF feet as the street stampeded into
the shop. Voices clamored to the
skies. somehoY the lights went out.
Amber started to fight his way out.
AS he struggled on, making little
Roadway 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"