Gilpin observer., 1911-10-05
|UIS JOSEPH VANCE

"That my lord doth Know
You think so7 Weal, have It your
own way. But suppose I decline tho
invitationr"
salig Singh looked bored. "sincs
thou hast come so far" he said. thou
wilt go farther, hazoor."
"Meaning-by force?"
"Of thine own will. Those whom
the Voice calleth are not led to the
Gateway by their noses"
But" Amber persisted. suppose
they won't gor'
Then, hazoor, doth the Council Of
the Hand sit in judgment upon them"
The significance was savagely obvi-
Gus. but Amber merely laughed. And
the Hand strikes. presumer Salig
Singh nodded. Bless your heart, I'm
not afraid Of your Hand! But am 1
to understand that compulsion II not
to be used-in order to get me to tho
Gateway-wherever that is! I mean.
I'm free to exercise my Judgment,
whether or not shall go-free to
leave this place and return to my
hotel?"
Gravely the Ra1put inclined his
head. Even So" he assentsd. -"T
caused thee to be brought thither sole
ly to make certain what thou hast out
Of thine own mouth confirmed-tho
report that thou hadst. become alto
gether traitor to the Bell. So be II
There remains but tho warning that
for four days more. and four days
only. the Gateway remains open to
those summoned On tho nth It
Closes"
And to those who remain In tho
outer darkness on the fifth day, SaliE
Singh"
God is merciful." said the Rajput
piously.
Very well. II that is sll, I think
will now leave you. Salig Singh"
said Amber. fondling his pistol mean
ingly.
"One word more" Salig Singh in
terposed. very much alive to Amber's
attitude: II were unfaithful to tho
trust thou didst once repose in me
were l not to warn thee that whittier
thou goest, the Mind will know; what
thou dost, the Eye will see: the words
thou shalt utter, the Ear will hear.
To all things there is an end, also
even to the patience Of the Body,
Shabash"
Thank you most to death, Salig
Singh. Now will you be good enough
to order ghari to take me back to
the Great EASTERN"
MY lords will is his servants"
Cal hA
least trace too eagerly.
"One moment" said Amber sharply.
Not SO fast, my friend" He tapped
his palm with the barrel OF the pistol
to add weight to his peremptory man
ntr. Il think II you will lift your
voice and call, some one will answer.
I've taken q great fancy to you. II
you don't know It, and don't pur-
pose letting you out Of my sight until
I'm safely out Of this house"
With a sullen air the Rajput yield
cd. From his expression Amber
would have wagered much that there
was a bad quarter Of an hour in store
for those who had neglected to disarm
him when the opportunity was theirs.
"As you WILL" conceded Salig Singh:
and he clapped his hands smartly.
crying: "Ohe. Motoi"
Almost instantly the iron door
swung open and the lamp-bearer ap-
peared. salaaming.
Tell him." ordered Amber, Ito
bring me a cloak Of some sort-not
too conspicuous. I've no fancy to
kick up scandal at the hotel by re-
turning with these duds visible. You
can charge II up to profit and loss;
II It hadn't been for the tender treat
mont your assassins gave me, I'd be
loss disreputable."
A faint smile nickered in salig
Singh's eyes-a look that was not
wholly devoid Of admiration for the
man who had turned the tables on
him with such ease. Indeed" he
said. II was lacking in courtesy did
the servant he issued instructions in
accordance with Amber's demands.
adding sratuitously an order that the
way of exit should be kept clear.
As the man bowed and withdrew
Amber grinned cheerfully. TT wasn't
bad afterthought, Salig Singh" he
observed; precautions like that re-
lieve the mind wonderfully some
times"
But the humor of the situation
seemed to be lost upon the Rajput.
Without undue delay the servant
returned with light cloak and the
announcement that the ghari was in
waiting
His offer to help tho American don
the garment was graciously declined
'I've fancy to have my arms free
for the present." Amber explained:
IT can get It on by myself in the
ghari." He took the cloak over his
left arm. I'm ready; lead oni" he
said. and with a graceful wave of the
pistol bowed Salig Singh out Of the