Gilpin observer., 1911-10-26
CHAPTER XIV.
Over the Water.

Ram Nath, patient ana impasslV0
as ever, had the tonga waiting for
Amber before the Residency. Ex-
Rlted beyond words, the American per
mitted himself to be driven on
through Kuttarpur's intricate network
of streets and backways, toward a des-
tination Of which he knew as little as
he cared. He was gues. Of the state,
offlcially domiciled at the designated
house Of hospitality; without especial
permission, obtained through the ef-
forts of the Resident. no could sleep
In no other spot in the city or its
purlieus. He was Indifferent, abso-
lutely; the matter Interested him az
scantily-which is to say not at all
as did the fact that an escort of troop
ers of the state. very well accoutred
and disciplined. followed the tonga
with a great jangling of steel and tu-
multi Of hoofs.
Alighting in the compound. Amber
disbursed few rupees to the troop
ers. paid of Ram Nath-who was
swift to drive on city-wards. in mad
haste lest the gates be shut upon
him for the highland entered the
bungalow. An aged. talkative. and
Rmiable khansamah met him at the
threshold with expressions Of exagger-
Ated respect. no doubt genuine enough
and followed him. q mumbling shadow,
n the Virginian made a brief round
of inspection.
Standing between the road and the
water. the resthouse proved to be
moderately spacious and clean: on the
lake front 1t opened upon a marble
bund. or landing stage, its lip Tapped
by whispering ripples Of the lake.
Amber went out upon this to discover.
separated from him by little more
than half a mile of black water. the
ghostly white wall of the Raj Mahal
climbing In dim majesty to the stars.
The virginian remained long in
rapt wondering contemplation Of 1t.
until the wind blowing across the wa
ters had chilled him to the point Of
shivering; when he turned indoors to
his bed. But he was to have little rest
that night. The khansamah who at
kended him had hardly turned low
his light when Amber was disturbed
by the noise Of an angry alteration
In the compound. He arose and in
dressing gown and slippers went to in
vestigate, and found Ram Nath in
violent dispute with the sergeant Of
the escort-which. II appeared. had
builded fre and camped round 1t in
the compound: circumstance which
furnished food for thought.
Amber began to suspect that the
troops had been furnished as a guard
less Of honor than Of espionage. less
In formal courtesy than in demonstra-
tion Of the unsleeping vigilance Of
the Eye-kindly assisted by the Ma
harana Of Khandawar.
A man who. warmed by the ardor OF
bis first love. feels suddenly the shad-
Dw death falling cold upon him. IL
apt to neglect nothing. Amber con-
sidered that he had given Ram Nath
no commission Of any sort. and bent
m attentive ear to the communication
which the tonga-wallah insisted upon
making to him.
Ram Nath had returned. he asserted.
solely for the purpose OF Informing
Amber in accordance with his desires.
'The telegraph ONCE for which you
enquired, sahib. stands Just within the
Gateway Of the Elephants" he an
aounced. THE telegraph-babu will be
On duty very early In the morning.
should you desire still to send the
message"
"Oh, yes," said Amber indifferently.
'Td forgotten. Thanks"
He returned to his charpoy with
spirits considerably higher. Ram Nath
had not winked this time. but the fact
WAS indisputable that Amber had not
Expressed any interest whatever In
khe location Of the telegraph once.
Wondering II the telesrAph-babu By
any chance wore pink satin. he doxed
ofR on the decision that he would need
10 send msssage the nrsG thing In
w. morning