Gilpin observer., 1911-08-24

| DaOW bWopt aCEOBS toO IOom. A00
against the door there leaned man
pufnng for breath and coughing spas
modically-a gross and [monstrous
bulk Of flesh. unolsan and unwhole.
some to the eye. attired In IN extrav-
agant array Of colored garments.
tawdry silks and satins clinging. sod
den to his pondsrous and unwisldy
limbs.
"The babui" cried Amber unconsci-
ously: and was rewarded BY fash
Of recognition from the coalblack.
beady, evil eyes Of the man.
But for that involuntary exclamar
ton tho tableau held unbroken for .
space: Rutton standing transixsd, the
torn halves Of the cigarette between
his fingers. his head well up and back.
his stare level. direct, uncompromis-
ing. = steady challenge to tho in
truder.
Then. demanding Ambers silence
with an imperative movement Of his
hand, Rutton spoke. well, babuf
he said quietly, the shadow Of bitter
and weary smile curving his thin.
hard lips.
The Bengali moved . 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 SahibT
Very deliberately Rutton inclined
his head. II 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 a. well
as by that pale look Of you he wears.
And. indeed. Is It strange that should
take him for you. who was told to
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
l came down." explained Amber, sum-
marizing 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 haxoor-ed me a num-
Der Of times. talked a 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 I
know of him. thus far. But I'd watch
out for him. II were you: II he isn't
. raving lunatic, miss my guess"
Indeed. my lord. It is all quite as
the sahib says" the babu admitted
graciously. his eyes cleaning with
sardonic amusement. Circumstances
conspired to mislead me; but that I
was swift to discover. Nor did lose
time in remedying the error as you
have heard. Moreover"
He shut up suddenly at . sign from
Rutton. with a ludicrous shrug OF his
huge shoulders disclaiming any ill.in-
tent or wrong.doing: and while Rut-
ton remained deep in thought BY the
table. the babu held silence, his gaze
nickering suspiciously round the
room.
At length Rutton looked up, sup
pressing q sigh. Your errand, babu?"
rs 1t, then. your will that l should
speak before this man?" Tho Bengali
nodded impudentiy at Amber.
1T is my will"
"Shabash! bear q message. ha-
zoor. from the Bell"
You are the Mouthpiece Of the
Voice?"
the rest am"
"Behari Lal Chatterji." interrupted
Rutton impatiently: solicitor Of the
Inner Temple-disbarred; anointed
thief. liar. 1ackal. lickspittle. and per-
1urer-I know you"
my lord" said tho man insolently.
"omits from his catalogue Of my &C.
complishments my chiefest honor; he
forgets that. with him, am an &C.
cepted Member OF the Body"
Tho Body wears strange members
that employs you. babu." commented
Rutton bitterly. 1T has fallen upon
evil days when such a. you are
charged with . message Of the Bell"
my lord 10 harsh to one who would
be his slave In all things. Fortunate
indeed am to own the protection Of
the Token" A slow lesr widensd
grsasily upon his moon-like face.