The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1911-12-14

snow swept across the room. Ana
against the door there leaned a man
putting for breath and coughing spas
modically--a gross and monstrous
bulk of flesh, unclean and unwhole-
some to the eye, 'attired in an extrav-
agant array Of colored garments,
tawdry silks and satins clinging, sod
den to his ponderous and unwieldy
limbs.
1.-THE babu!" cried Amber unconsci-
ously; and was rewarded by a flash
of recognition from the coal-black,
beady, evil eyes of the man.
But for that involuntary exclama-
ton the tableau held unbroken for a
space; Rutton standing transfixed, the
torn halves of the cigarette between
his fingers. his head we'll up and back,
his stare level, direct, uncompromis-
ing, a steady challenge to the in
truder
Then, demanding Amber's silence
with an imperative movement of his
hand, Rutton spoke.' We'll, babu?"
he said quietly, the shadow of a bitter
and weary smile curving his thin,
hard lips.
The Bengal 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, 1.-The man call
ing himself Rutton Sahib?"
Very deliberately Rutton inclined
his head. IT 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 as we'll
as by that pale look of you he wears.
And, indeed, is it strange that should
take him for you, who was told to
seek you in this wild land?"
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.
1.-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 hazoor-ed me a num-
Der of times, talked 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
know of him, thus far. But I'd watch
out for him, If l were you; If 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
was swift to discover. Nor did 1 lose
time in remedying the error, as you
have heard. Moreover"
He oh,,< cu1Aoo1ry etc. s.z-.
Rutton, with 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
Pickering suspiciously round the
room.
At length Rutton looked up, sup
pressing sigh. HYour errand, babu? 2"
rs 1t, then. your will that 1 should
speak before this man." The Bengal
nodded impudently at Amber.
1T is my will
"Shabash! bear a message, ha-
zoor. from the Bell"
"You are the Mouthpiece of the
Voice."
| AAUS AOAOA 40 AuAAC, udLOOI. III
| the rest l am"
"Behari Lal Chatterji." interrupted
Rutton impatiently; solicitor of the
Inner Temple-disbarred; anointed
thief, liar, jackal, lickspittle, and per-
| jurer-I know you"
my lord" said the man insolently,
'omits from his catalogue of my ac-
complishments my chiefest honor; he
| forgets that, with him, l am an &C.
| cepted Member of the Body"
The Body wears strange members
that employs you, babu," commented
| Rutton bitterly. 1T has fallen upon
evil days when such as you are
charged with message of the Bell"
MY lord is harsh to one who would
be his slave in all things. Fortunate
indeed am l to own the protection OF
the Token" A slow leer widened
| greasily upon his moon-like face.
"Ah, the Token!" Rutton repeated
! tensely, beneath his breath 1T is
true that you have the Token?"