The Delta independent., 1911-07-07

ing.
which he crept. Flattening himself on
the floor, he applied mis- ear to hole
so small it scarcely widened the crack
between two boards. He could not
see, but he could hear the creak OF
the punkah as, after a violent tug
by the man on the divan, it continued
swinging to and fro.
Hardly had the Hindoo left the
room when the Swami, like num-
mer throwing off a mask, arose brisk
ly from the divan and cast aside the
silk robe that enveloped him. The
silken turban remained on his head,
but in all other respects he was
dressed like a Wall Street man. His
feet, drawn beneath his robe as he sat
on the broad couch. had not shown
the patent leather shoes in which they
were encased He lighted European
cigarette and pulled as if he enjoyed
the change from the pungent Eastern
tobacco.
Up and down the room he walked
springily. pausing from time to time
with puckered forehead and thumbs
resting on the edges of his coat peck
cts. Then he walked softly to a door
at one side of the room, and opening
it a little way, called softly:
"Kananda"
A man of mature years came in
quietly and looked inquiringly at the
Swami. He was of portly build, but
his vigor still showed traces of the ath-
letic training he had followed in Eng
lish schools and colleges. His West
ern manner and excellent English
were not in surprising contrast to his
Indian swarthiness among those who
remembered the vogue a British edu-
cation had among midas petty princes
in the reign of Victoria. Queen and
Empress. Prince Kananda had been
one of the best batsmen on the Cam
bridge eleven. His popularity among
the democratic young aristocrats OF
the period had sprung from the day
when he remarked it was not his fault
his father was Maharajah. and that
it shouldn't be treasured against him.
even though he couldn't live it down.
Mandy. as they called him on the
banks of the Cam, was voted good
sort. The classification had stuck
to him wherever men foregathered.
from the strangers Club of the Straits
Settlement to Whites and the Union
League.
Whats the row, your reverence?"
he asked On the surface. he took
the faith of his fathers lightly. ORR
entail though he was in the marrow.
THE Maharanee has disappeared"
said the Swami.
Nd
that blessed stone isn't the Wander
ing Jew of jewels! How long has 1t
been missing this timer"
Nobody knows. unless 1t be its
present possessor. Moreover. prince
you are, ruler you may be. but l can
not overlook your levity in connection
with so sacred a gem. Besides. my
friend, remember the brethren"
Nandy's face became serious imme-
diately.
81 wasn't exactly poking fun at the
Maharanee," he apologized. land they
who suffer are never long absent from
my thoughts. It's a Western habit
this fippancy-comes from trying to
graft a Hindoo sprig on a British
oak. you know"
I'VE are OF the Orient" said the
Swami, still rebukingly. I'VE should
not copy the barbarisms OF the Occi
dent"
Nandy's eyes twinkled as the humor
Of such an observation in the heart
Of Manhattan flashed upon him. In
moment, he was grave again. how
ever He swung himself to table
lightly for one of his bulk. and sal
kicking his heels as he awaited the
Hindoo priests narrative.
There's little to tell" the Swan
went on, himself dropping into ths
easier speech of the West as his com
panion stopped smiling. The grea
diamond is gone and All has no ides
of It's whereabouts. Night and day
on the watch in the woman's home
he has nothing to tell further thai
that the jewel has disappeared ant
an arrest has been made"
, so they've caught the theft"
Perhaps The bunglers of this un
i. couth country may have stumbled
upon her by chance. She's in custody
anyway"
Mandy slid from the table and ba
anced himself on his toes.
, "A woman, Ell? Good-looking?
/. Not without influence on his ideal
had he taken a postgraduate cours
: among Londons Gaiety girls. He wa
+ connoisseur In the femininity OF tn
h alls." Serious women bored hin
But surely young person cleve
l. enough to get away with damon
, the size of the Maharanee couldn't b
a stupid?
= Mrs. Missioner's secretary" tn