Gilpin observer., 1911-10-19
CHAPTER XIII.
Tho PHOTOGRAPH.

That same night Amber dined at
the Residency, on the invitation Of
Raikes, the local representative Of
government, seconded by the insist
snce OF Colonel Farrell. 1t developed
that Sophia's telegram had somehow
been lost in transit, and Farrell's sur
prise and pleasure at sight Of her were
tempered only by his keen apprecia-
tion Of Amber's adventitious services,
slight though they had been. He was
urged to stay the evening out, before
proceeding to his designated quarters.
and the reluctance with which he ac-
ceded to this arrangement which
worker SO happily with his desires,
may be imagined.
Ease of anxiety was more than
food and drink to Amber; his feeling
Of relief. TO have conveyed Sophia to
the company and protection OF Anglo
Saxons like himself, was intense. Yet
he swallowed his preliminary brandy
peg In a distinctly uncomfortable
frame OF mind, strangely troubled by
the reflection that round that lone
white table was gathered together the
known white population of the state;
q census OF which accounted for Just
i've souls.
Amber was relieved when at length
the meal was over. and Miss Farrell
having withdrawn In conformance with
inviolable custom. the cloth was
deftly whisked away and cigars, ciga-
rettes, liquors. whisky and soda we're
served.
Amber took unto himself a cigar
and utilized an observation of the
Politicars as a lever to swing the con-
versation to q plane more likely to
inform him. Farrell had grumbled
about the exactions of his position as
particularly instanced by the necessi-
ty Of his attending tedious and tire
some native ceremonies in connection
with the tamasha.
What's. precisely. the nature OF
this tamasha, Colonel Farrell?"
Why. my dear young man.
thought you knew. Isn't 1t what you
came to see?"
NO" Amber admitted cautiously; /;
II merely heard a rumor that there
was something uncommon afoot. Is II
really anything worth while?"
Rather" Raikes interjected drily,
"the present rulers abdicating in IA
vor Of his son. child Of twelve. That
puts the business in a class by itself
But why should prince hand over
the reins of government to a child
Of twelve? There must be some rea.
son for 1t. Isn't 1t known" asked
Amber.
Who can fathom Hindu's mind p
grunted Farrell. Il daresay there's
some scandalous native intrigue al
the bottom Of 1t. Ell. Raikes?''
The Resident shook his head
"Don't come to this shop for informa
tion about what goes on in Khanda.
war. / doubt II there's another Resi-
dent in India who knows as little OF
the underhand devilment in his state
as do. His majesty the Rama loves
me as q cheetah loves his trainer
He's an intractable rascal"
There have been number OF
deaths from cholera in the Palace late.
Iy. the grand vizier's amongst them
white arsenic cholera?'
THAT. and the hemp poison kind"
Refractory vizier?" questioned Far.
rell. 'The kind that wants to re-
trench and institute reforms-rail.
ways and metalled roads and 90
forthf"
NO; he was quite suited to his
master. But the bazar says Naraini
ok a dislike to him for one reason
cr another"
'Naraini?" queried Amber.
The genius Of tho place. Raikes
odded toward the Raj Mahal, shining
20 pearl through the darkness on
tie hillside over against the Resi-.
dency. she's Salig's head queen. At
least that's about as near to her
status as one can get. She's not actu.
ally his queen. but some sort of q
heritage from the Rutton dynasty