The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1911-07-20

blast of frosty air and a furry Of
snow swept across the room. And
against the door there leaned 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 transfxed, the
torn halves of the cigarette between
his fingers. his head well up and back.
his stare level, direct. uncompromis-
ing, steady challenge to the In
| truder
Then, demanding Amber's silence
with an imperative movement of his
hand, Rutton spoke. We'll, babuYs
he said quietly, the shadow of bitter
and weary smile curying 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.
81 seek" he said distinctly in Urdu,
and not without a definite note OF
menace in his manner, 'the man call
ing himself Rutton Sahib?"
Very deliberately Rutton inclined
his head Il am he"
'Hazoor!" The babu laboriously
doubled up his enormous body in pro-
found obeisance Having recovered,
he nodded to Amber with the easy fa-
miliarity of an old acquaintance. ITO
you, likewise, greeting, Amber Sc
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 anxi9ty to clear himself.
"Hazor. did butferr, being misled by
his knowledge of our tongue as well
as by that pase 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.
"The ass ran across me in the
woods south of the station, the day
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 num-
Der of times, talked lot OF rot about
some silly Voice. and finally made
me free gift of nice little bronze
box that wouldn't open. After which
he took to his heels, saying he'd call
later for my answer-whateve 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 were you; If he isn't
raying 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
censpired to mislead me; but that I
was swift to discover. Nor did lose
time in remedying the error. as you
have heard Moreover"
He shut up suddenly at sign from
Rutton, with ludicrous shrug of his
huge shoulders disciaiming any Him
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. Your errand, babu?'
us 1t, then, your will that should
speak before this man? 2" The Bengal
nodded impudently at Amber.
Tt Is my will
Shabash! bear message, ha-
zoor, from the Bell"
You are the Mouthpiece Of the
Voice."
THAT honor Is mine. hazoor For
the rest / ann
"Behari Lal Chatterji," interrupted
Rutton impatiently; solicitor of the
Inner Temple disbarred; anointed
thief, liar. jackal, lickspittle, and per-
jurerI know you.
MY lord said the man insolently,
"omits from his catalogue Of my ac-1
contplishments my chiefest honor; he
forgets that. with him, I am an ac-
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 q message Of the Bell"
My lord Is harsh to one who would