The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-07-20

by way or reply Salig Singh lifted
his sword in its scabbard from its
fastenings at his side and, with a mag
niticent gesture, cast ii clanking 10
the floor between them. A heavy Eng
lish army pattern revolver followed
II The Rajput spread out his hands.
Thou art armed my lord" he said.
Il, at thy mercy. If thou dost mis-
Judge my purpose in causing thee to
be brought hitner, my life is in thy
hands
"Oh, yes" Amber nodded. That's
very pretty. But presuming l chose to
take it?"
Thou art free as the winds OF the
morning. See, then Salig Singh
strobe to the outer door and threw
1t open. The way of escape is clear
hot even locked"
The lamplight fell across the stone
landing and made visible the waiting
boat with Dulla Dad sitting patiently
at the oar.
II see" assented Amber. "Well?"
Sally Singh shut the door gently.
rs there more to say" he enquired.
Il have shown thee that thou art
free"
We'll, then, what do you want?
Why have you brought me here2"
why didst thou come? There was
40 force used: thou didst come Of
thine own wil-thine own will, which
is the will Of the Body, hazoor!"
ooh, damnation! Why d'you insist
on beating round the bush forever?
You know well why ! came. Now,
what do you want?"
MY lord, l move, it seems, in the
ways of error. A little time ago the
words of the Voice were made known
to thee in q far land; thou didst an
swer, coming to this country. A few
days agone | myself did repeat to you
the message of the Bell; thou didst
swear thou wouldst not answer, yet
art thou here In Kuttarpur. Am I to
be blamed for taking this for a sign
Of thy repentance? . Hazoor,
the Body is patient, the VIII benig-
nant and long-suffering. Still is the
Gateway open"
rs that what you wanted to tell
me, Saligh Singh2"
What else? Am I to believe thee
a mailman, weary Of life, that thou
shouldst venture hither with a heart
hardened against the VIII of the
Body? l seek but to serve thee IN
thus daring thy displeasure. Why
shouldst thou come to Bharuta at all
If thou dost not intend to undergo the
Ordeal OF the Gateway? Am | a fool
orr say 1t In all respect, my lord
art thou?'
From the look of things, I fancy
the epithet fits us both Salig Singh.
You refuse to take my word for 1t that
I know nothing of your Infamous Gate
way and have no intention of ever
approaching 1t, that | have not q drop
OF Indian blood in me and am in no
way related to or connected with Har
Dyal Rutton, who Is dead"
II may not believe what | know to
be untrue"
you'll have to learn to recognize
the truth, I'm afraid. For the final
time I tell you that / am David Am
Der, a citizen Of the United States Of
America, travelling in India on purely
personal business"
The Rajput inclined his head submits
sively. Then Is my duty all but done,
hazoor. Thrice hath the warning been
given thee. There be still fourand-
twenty hours in which, it may be,
thou shalt learn to see clearly. My
lord, I ask of thee a single favor.
Wilt thou follow me?" He motloned
toward the arched entrance to the
passageway.
Follow thee7" Amber at length
dropped into Urdu, unconsciously
adopting the easier form of communt-
cation now that, he felt, the issue be-
tween them was plain, that the Rajput
}orod under no further misunder-
8 arding as to the reason of his pres
cnce in Khandawar. "Whither?"
There is that which l must show
thee"
"What?"
"My life be forfeit If thou dost not
return unframed to the resthouse ere
sunrise. wilt thou Gomez"
"To what end, SaIig Singh"
"Furthermore,' the Raiput persisted
stubbornly, his head lifted In pride
and his nostrils dilated a little with
scorn-'furthermore I offer thee the
word Of a Rajput. Thou art my guest,
since thou wilt have it SO. No harm
shall come to thee, upon my honor"
Curiosity triumphed. Amber knew
that he had exacted the most honored
pledge known in Rajputana. His ap-
prehensions were at rest; nothing
could touch him now-until he had de-
turned to the bungalow. Then, he d.
vined, it was to be open war-himself
and Labertouche pitted against the
strength of the greatest conspiracy
known in India since the days Of '57.
But for the present, no pledge of any
sort had been exacted of him.
so be It," he assented on impulse.
II follow"
With no other word Salig Singh