Gilpin observer., 1911-11-30
CHAPTER XVI.
Sunrise for Two.


garden without difficulty; at the door
way an eunuch waited. The maharana
himself, perhaps in Difference to the
dictates of discretion, did not reap
pear, and Amber had no desire to see
him again. He was eager only to get
away, to find place and time to
think. and to get into communication
with Labertouche.
In the cavern-like chamber at the
water level Dulla Dad had the boat
in readiness Amber embarked, not
without a sigh of relief, and the Mo-
hammedan with his double-spaded
paddle drove the boat out of the Sc
cret entrance. in an impassive silence.
In the stern Amber watched the indefi-
mite grey light of dawn wavering over
the face of the waters and won
dered.
The boat swung in gently to the
marble steps of the bund. Amber rose
and stepped ashore, very tired and
very much inclined to believe he
would presently wake up to a sane
and normal world.
"Hazoor,'' the voice of Dulla Dad
hailed him. He turned "Hazoor. /
was to say that at the third hour after
sunset tonight this boat will be wait
ing. You are to call me by name,
and l will put in for you. hazoor."
What's that? / don't understand.
oh, very we'll"
And / was to say further, my lord.
these words: You shall find but one
way to Kathiapur.'"
Amber shook his head, smiling. 'If
you don't mind getting yourself dis
liked on my account, Dulla Dad, you
may take back to the author of that
epigram this answer: You shall find
but one way to Jehannum, and that
right speedily Good morning. Dulla
Dad"
THE peace of God abide always with
the heaven-born!"
Amber entered the bungalow, to
find the khansamah already awake
and moving about. At the Virginian's
request he shuffed of to prepare cof
fee-much coffee. very strong and
black and hot, Amber stipulated. He
needed the stimulant badly. He was
sleepy and his head was in whirl.
He sat lost in thought until the
khansamah brought the decoction.
then reused and drank It as it came
from the pot. without sugar, gulping
down huge bitter mouthfuls OF the
scalding black fluid. But the effect
that he expected and desired was
strangely long in making itself felt.
He marveled at his drowsiness, nod
ding and blinking over his empty cup.
Out of doors the skies were hot and
1,,ax ~ ,,,tt % sIA
sun, and the world of men was STIR
ring and making preparations against
the business of the day; but Amber,
who had a work so serious and so in
stant to his hand. sat on in dreamy
lethargy, musing-
The faces of two women stood out
vividly against the misty formless
void before his eyes; the face of
Naraini and that of Sophia Farrell He
looked from one to the other stupidity
contrasting them, trying to determine
which was the lovelier. until their fea-
lures blurred and ran together and
the two became as one and
The khansamah tiptoed cautiously
into the room and found the Virginian
sleeping like log. his head upon the
table. His face was deeply colored
with crimson. as II a fever burned
him, and his breathing was loud and
stertorous.
Pausing, the native beckoned to one
who skulked without, and the latter
entering. the two laid hold of the un-
conscious man and bore him to the
charpoy. The second native slipped
silver money into the khansamah's
palm.
He will sleep till evening"" he said.
IF any come asking for him. say that
he has gone abroad. leaving no word.
More than this you do not know The
sepoys have an order to prevent all
from entrance"
Beneath the spreading banian by
the cistern OF the goldfish, Naraini
with smoldering eyes watched Amber
disappear in the wilderness of shrub.
berry. He walked as n man with set
purpose. never glancing back. She
laughed uneasily but waited motion.
less where he had left her, until the
echo of his boot-heels on the marble
slabs had ceased to ring In the neigh.
boring corridor. Then. lifting fow.
Sa1hho manu- W hSi aAAoueii, BIG touSHeu
her lips gently and with an air of Gu.
riosity. The resentment In her eyes
gave place to an emotion less super.
ficial. by Indur and by Hart" she
swore softly. in one thing at least
he is like a rajput; he kisses as n man
kisses"
Tho east was gray with dusk OF
dawn-a light that grew apace. ma.
king garish the illumination of the
fiickering. smoking. many-colored
lamps in the garden. Naraini clapped
her hands. Soft footsteps sounded In
the gallery md one Of her handmaids