The Delta independent., 1911-07-07
Britt Of !
II eadquarte|r rs


North of the Casino In rne Iass
drive of Central park, the Hindoo
pulled the check strap and gave new
directions to the cabman. The han
som turned out OF the park at Seventy
second street and rolled on rubber
tires in an easterly direction, crossing
several avenues before it stopped in
front OF a brownstone house exactly
like several others in the block. The
Oriental paid the cabman and stood
on the sidewalk until the hanson
turned the corner. Then he walked
east a few yards, crossed the street,
turned west, and darted into the yes
Thule of house that was the twin
of the one at which the cab had
stopped He did not ring the bell,
but scratched lightly on the ground
glass pane OF the inner door. The
door swung inward and he entered
hall lighted only by a glimmer that
filtered through the glass from gas
lamp in the street. voice in the
dark asked a question in a language
somewhat like that the Hindoo had
flung over his shoulder at the messen-
ger boy. The visitor answered with
single word. and sunburst OF light
upon him from cluster of incandes-
cent bulbs above his head.
III you are false, turn back" said
the voice in one of the higher tongues
of India.
True though lowly follower of the
Light am l." the Hindoo replied, with
a profound salaam toward ink-black
portieres at the far end OF the hall.
He moved slowly toward the curtains
and stretched forth his hand Again
the voice spoke.
IF there be aught of doubling in
your heart, turn back ere it be too
late.' it said. There is no repent
ance this side of the screen. Beware!
Turn back"
But the Hindoo, with another deep
bow, parted the heavy curtains and
stepped through the opening. Without
a single glance at the sumputous
Eastern furnishings of the room. he
bent his body forward with touching.
outstretched hands until his fingers
well-nigh reached the floor In that
posture he remained until. in the
tones of the voice that had sounded
through the outer darkness. a man
sitting cross-legged on a divan at the
other end of the room murmured an
acknowledgment of the salutation.
Slowly the visitor Strengthened him
self and looked at the divan, without
raising his eyes to the face of the
man upon 1t.
THE peace of the Immutable One
be upon you," he said in his harsher
dialect. Your servant Ali comes to
report upon his mission
Peace be to you, faithful one," an
swered the other. Not until then did
Ali look his master in the face.
The master seemingly did not wear
the evening dress of the Occident In
which he had appeared in the opera
box adjoining Mrs. Missioner's. His
slender. well-knit figure was swathed
In the clinging garments of the East
garments of silken stuff that fut.
tered and rtppled with every move
ment, that seemed TO rustic in echo OF
his thoughts.
What are your things. An7' asked
the man on the diTz1- He gave little
thoughtful tuzz :. Dznkah string
and the resultant b.sezs stirred the
smoke wreath. tro-. his rzrghileh-
"The jewel, o S@sui,-
The others eyes glistsned-
what Of it," be inquired.
Gone" returned the humber Hin
doc Vanished"
And you did not get it?"
Swami, did not. Your servant Is
a he.h z.
lone his best"
The man on the divan watched his
Bervant through slitted eyes.
Where is the jewell" he asked
sternly.
who knows, holy mani" replie'
the visitor. ut has taken unto itsel
wings and in It's place false ston'
was left The wit of your servant Il
completely at fault. know no
where the diamond is
The swami did not tell him he hal
seen the destruction of the false Ma
harapee by Griswold's heel in tn
Metropolitan Opera House. III
smoked thoughtfully. his fingers knot
ting and raveling the punkah-string 4
an absent way.
And you have come straightwa
with the news?" he asked.
LAS the hawk flies, master" said tn
servant. There was trepidation in hi
eyes, but he answered unhesitatingl!
1T is WELL" the Swami said. b.
tween rings of blue smoke. IVA
without, Ali, and l will have speec
with you in little WHILE"
The visitor, with another low 81
Iaam, withdrew as he had entere'
backing across the threshold. In tn
hall, his figure shot to It's full neigl
and he flashed glance of uncertai
meaning at the outer side of the pc
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