The Delta independent., 1911-11-03

cree was promulgated, the erect bt
which is that none of those unhappy
captives is to see the light of day un.
til the diamond is returned to its place
in Buddha's forehead The temple
was draped in the mourning colors of
the east. and those colors still deck
its lonely walls. No true believers
foot may be seen within it's portals
while the great stone is missing. The
brethren of the priesthood languish
in dungeons, hoping against hope that
Buddha may manifest his mercy by
causing the gem to be regained and
replaced upon his brow. INTENDED.
unworshiped. the god sits upon his
throne within the shrine, waiting for
the restoration of his own
Mrs. Missioner was thrilled by the
narrative. She was somewhat at a
loss, however, to account for the depth
of the Swami's interest in the recap.
ture of the great diamond. Until he
unfolded his story further, she did not
know how personal that interest was.
How does this affect you?" she
asked. why should you be at such
pains to find and restore the diamond +?
And to return these other stones to
me?"
You will need no further explana.
ton. madam" said the scholar. with
utmost courtesy, when l tell you that
the priests who lie in that Eastern
prison are my brethren"
But how is 1t you are not among
them?"
by special dispensation of mercy
on the part of the Maharajah," he an.
swered. When five years, as you
count them, had flown and still the
diamond was missing-when all the
other servants of the kingdom had
searched India. the rest of the Orient.
and even Europe for 1t. His Majesty
relented far enough to direct that
the imprisoned priests choose one Of
their number to girdle the earth in
quest of the stone. l. being the young.
est of the priesthood. was selected fol
the task. For the priests themselves
though prisoners of woe. are more
concerned to have the stain wiped out
than to return to the world from
which they have been exiled They
chose the youngest that the searcheI
might have as long a time as nature
permitted to carry out the quest"
The Swami paused an instant, and
then continued:
so you see that not only do a hun.
dred human lives hang upon the re
turn of that single jewel to the place
whence 1t was stolen, but that the
faith. the religion. the very hope OF
eternity of millions of persons are
equally dependent upon 1t. Until the
gem CLEANS again in Buddha's brow
no prayer for redemption can be
breathed with any hope of response
In the most remote part OF the
Mahara1ah's kingdom. Can you won.
der that would sell life itself to
achieve this task?"
Mrs. Missioner did not wonder She
clasped between her hands the packet
containing the other stones OF her
necklace. and gazed dreamily into the
IRE.
What is 1t. then. you WISH" she
asked. What can I do for youf II
It question of a reward?"
mot in that sense" said the Swami
quickly. Il want no recompense for
returning to you that which beio ags
to you. Those stones are yours II
would be as wicked for me to keep
them. according to the light Of my
faith, as in the moral Intelligence Of
yours. But do want a reward in q
way. / ask your permission to return
to my native land. and request that
you cause all further efforts to re-
cover the big diamond to end at once. 4"
How can l do that?" inquired the
widow.
The matter Is now In the hands Of
the police. You can say truthfully
to the police" the Swami replied,
that your diamonds have been re-
turned to you: that you are satisfied
with the explanation of their disap-
pearance that accompanied their
restoration. and that you wish all
further activity on the part of the
authorities to cease"
Il will consider it."
II trust your consideration will not
cover many hours" said the Swami.
rising. "If you come to decision
| quickly and favorable one. you will
avert a very strong possibility OF
bloodshed"
Mrs. Missioner started
THE Maharanee diamond. as you
call it. is in the keeping of my col
league" the Swami continued. THAT
man Britt. the detective from Head
quarters, who has been most active
in the hunt for your necklace, is close
upon his heels. 1t is impossible for