The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-09-07

A hooking chuckle seemed to break
from the ground at their feet, and In
the flicker Of an eyelash a shadow
lifted up out of the scrub-encumbered
level. Sophia cried aloud with alarm;
Labertouche swore outright, needless;
and Amber put himself before her,
drawing his revolver. heartsick with
the conviction that they were trapped,
that their labor had gone all for
naught, that all futilely had they
schemed and dared.
But while his finger was yet seeking
the trigger the first shadow was joined
by a score Of fellows-shades that ma
terialized with the swiftness and ST.
lence from the surface of the earth
and before he could level the weapon
Labertouche seized his wrist. For an
instant he resisted, raging with dis
appointment; but the Englishman was
cool, strong, determined; inevitably
In the outcome the weapon was point
ed to the sky.
STEADY, you ass" breathed the So
cret agent in his ear. Cant you
see"
And Amber gave over, in amaze
nent unbounded, seeing the starlight
glinting down a dozen leveled rife
barrels, glowing pale on the spiked,
rounded crowns of pith helmets, and
striking soft fire from FURNISHED &C.
coutrements; while a voice, thick with
a brogue that was never bred out of
hearing Of Bow Bells, was hectoring
them to surrender.
"'Ands up, We bloomin' black beg
garsl 'Ands Up, l s'y!"
, "Tommies!" cried Amber; and In
c%ontinently he dropped the revolver
as though 1t had turned hot in his
hand.
STEADY, my mani" Labertouche in
%terrupted what threatened to develop
into a string Of intolerable abuse.
Hold your tongue! Can't you see
we've a lady with us?"
"yl-loi" The soldier lowered his
rife and stepped closer, his voioe vi
brating with establishment. "Blimme,
'ere's a go! beggar Of a mig
ger givin' me wotfor s II e was a
gent! 90 in ell dye think y'are, yer
'ighness?"
"That'll do. Put down those guns,
and call your commanding officer. I'll
explain to him. Where is he2 What
troops are you? When did you ar.
river"
What's this?" A sharp voice cut
the comments of the Tommies, and
they were smitten silent by 1t. An Of
f1cer, with jingling spurs and sword
in hand, elbowed through the heart
of the press. stop that row instantly.
What's this? Who are you, SIR"
Il sent the message from Kathiapur.
and I'm uncommonly happy to meet
you, whoever you may be, sir. Tel!
your men to fall back, please, and I'll
introduce myself properly"
Two words secured the secret agent
the privacy he desired; the officer Of
fered him an ungloved hand as the
troopers withdrew out Of hearing.
Happy, indeed" he said cheerfully.
"Tm Rowan, captain, Fourteenth pho
neers."
I'm Lahertouche, l. s. 8. This is
Miss Farrell, daughter of Colonel Far
rell, and this Mr.. Amber Of New York.
We've Just escaped from that rock
over there and-if you'll pardon-Td
suggest you set q strong guard over
the ford behind those tamarisks.'
"One moment, please" The officer
strobe off to issue instructions in &C
cordance with Labertouche's advice.
1--WE got here only a quarter of an hour
ago" he apologized, swinging back as
the men deployed into the thicket,
land haven't had time to nose out the
lay of the land thoroughly"
From the ford an abrupt clamor Of
voices interrupted. The officer hook
ed up his scabbard. Sounds as If my
men had gathered In somebody else"
he said hastily. IF you'll excuse me,
I'll have a look" He trotted off into
the shade of the tamarisks.
AS he disappeared the disturbance
abated somewhat. False alarm" Am
Der guessed.
IT fancy not" said Labertouche. III
I'm not mistaken our friend Naraini
left for the special purpose of raising
the hue and cry. This should be the
vanguard Of the pursuit"
Amber looked upward. Overhead
the soulless city slumbered in a still.
ness apparently unbroken. yet he who
saw its profile rugged against the
stars, could fancy what CONSERVATION
was then, or presently would be, run
ming riot through it's haunted ways.
How many of 'em are there, do you
reckon?" he asked.
Three or four hundred" replied
the secret agent absently; the PICK
and flower Of Indian unrest. My WORD.
but this will kick up a row! Think OF
1t, man! three hundred and nfty-odd
lords and princes bagged all at once
In the act Of plotting the Second Mu'
tiny! What a change 1t will work on
the political face of the landl . .
And the best of 1t 10, they simply
can't get away"
Amber was thinking with vindictive
relish Of what fate he would mete out
tn tho mapfprlsto~ - tho poll were