Gilpin observer., 1911-09-21
!. Labertouche laughed sentfy. Nov.

-Labertouche laughed gently. Now,
tonight you will learn something from
this Dhola Baksh-something impor-
tant. undoubtedly. May see this
ring-this token?"
Unbuttoning his shirt, Amber pro
duced the Eye from the chamois bag.
Labertouche studied 1t for long time
in silence, returning 1t with an air Of
deep perturbation.
"The thing is strange to me-" he
said. For the present We may dis
miss It as simply what 1t pretends to
be-a token. sign by which one man
shall know another. Wear 1t.
but turn the stone in; and keep your
hands in your pockets when we're out
side"
Amber obeyed. We'll be going
now1"
Yes" Labertouche rose. throwing
away his cigar and stamping out its
fire.
But the Farrells?'
Forgive me; I had forgotten. Tho
Farrells are at Darjeelins, where tho
colonel Is stationed Just now-happily
for him."
Then" said Amber, with decision,
II leave for Darjeeling tomorrow
morning."
Il know no reason why you
shouldn't" agreed Labertouche. IT
anything turns up I'll contrive to let
you know" He looked Amber up and
down with glance that took in every
detail. 'Tm sorry" he observed,
| you couldn't have managed to look
trace shabbier Still, a touch hero
and there, you'll do excellently we'll
as sailor on spree"
"As bad as that?"
"Oah. my dear fallow!"-it was now
the babu speaking. while he hoped
around Amber with his head critical
ly to one side, like an inquisitive jack
daw. now and again darting forward
to peck at him with hands that nerv-
ously but deftly arranged details Of
his attire to please taste fastidious
| and exacting in such matters-"Oah.
my dear fallow, surely you appreciate
danger Of venturing into nateeve quar-
ters in European dress? AS regular
out-and-out sahib, l am meaning. Of
course. 1t is permeesible for riff-raff,
sailors and Tommies from the fort,
and soa on. to indulge in debauchery
among nateeves, but first-class sahib
-Oah. noah! You would be mobbed
in no-time-at-all. where we are going"
"All right; l guess l can play the
part, babu. At least, I've plenty of at
mosphere." Amber laughed, mention
ing the incident of the peg he had not
consumed over Honest Georges bar.
Il had noticed that; happy acci-
dent. indeed 1 think"-Labertouche
stepped back to look Amber over
again-'T think you will almost do.
One moment"
He seized Amber's hat and. dashing
It violently to the floor, deliberately
stamped 1t out of shape; when re-
! stored to its owner it had aged FIVE
years in less than half as many min
utes. Amber laughed, putting 1t on.
Surely yoh couldn't ask me to look
more disreputable." he said with a
dubious survey of himsef in the mir
ror
You'll do" chuckled Labertouche
approvingiy. Just ram your hands
into your trousers pockets without
unbuttoning your coat. and shuttle
along as If nocturnal rambles in the
slums Of Calcutta were an everyday
thing to you. If you're spoken to,
| don't betray too much familiarity with
the yernacular. You know about the
limit of the average Tommys vocabu-
larry; don't go beyond it." He un-
bolted and locked the door by which
Amber had entered. putting the key
in his pocket, and turned to a second
door across the room. We'll leave
this way: chose this place because
it's regular rabbit warren, with half
dozen entrances and exits. I'll leave
you in a passage leading to the bazar.
Wait in the doorway until you see me
stroll past: give me thirty yards lead
and follow. Keep in the middle of
the way, avoid crowd as the plague.
and don't lose sight Of. me. I'll stop
in front of Dohla Baksh's shop long
enough to light cheroot and go on
without looking back. When you
come out I'll be waiting for you. II
1--we lose one another. get back to your
hotel as quickly as possible. l may
send you word. If don't. shall un-
destand you've taken the first morning
train for Darjeeling. l think that's
all"