The Huttig news., 1911-08-12
CHAPTER xV.
 From a High Place.

and given to sudden curves and an 1 gles, penetrating, 1t seemed, the very 1 bowels of the Raj Mahal It euded un- l eXpectedly in low arch through which the two men passed into an open courtyard. apparently given over entirely 10 stables. Despite the late ness of the hour 1t was tenanted by several wideawake syces, dancing at l tendance upon a pair of blooded stal- 1 lions of the stud royal, who saddled, | bridied and hooded paved and champed impatiently in the center of the yard. making 1t echo with the ringing of iron on stone and the jin- 1 giing of their silver curb chains.
 Salig Singh paused. with wave of l his hand calling Amber's attention to the superb brutes.
 Thou csnst see hazcor, that all is prepared.
 For wbat?"
 But Salig Singh merely smiled enig matically, and shaking a patient head, passed on.
 A second arch gave upon corridor which led upwards and presently changed into a steep flight of steps, of ancient storn worn smooth and l grooved with the traffic of generations of naked feet. At the top they turned aside and passed through heavy l door which Salig Singh unlocked with private key, Into vast, vacant room, with lofty ceiling supported l by huge, unwieldy pillars of stone, l sculptured with all the loves and wars of Hindu mythology. At one end the | f1tfnl, eerie flare of great bronze brazier revealed the huge proportions of an ivory throne, gorgeous with gems and cloth of gold, standing upon dais and fanked by two motion ess figures which at first sight Amber took to be pieces of statuary But they uuicke ned saiuting with 8 single movement and flash of steel, as the maharana drew nearer. and SO proved themselves troopers of the state. standing guard with naked swords
 There is no need. perhaps. to tell thee hazoor," Salig Singh muttered bending to Amber's ear. that sitt 'ng upon this throne, in this Hall of Au- dience, for generations thy forefatheIs ruled this land, making and adminis- teripg it's laws. netting out justice. honored of all men-and served, my lord. for generations by my torebears the faithful stewards of thy house: even as l would prove faithful
 Interesting" Amber interrupted, brusauely. If true. Is this what you wanted to slow me?"
 Nay, hazoor. not this alone Come"
 The rajput led him out of the hall by way of small doorway behind the throne, and after a little turning and twisting through tortuous passages they began to ascend again, and so went on up, ever upwards, the flight of steps broken by other corridors, other apartments, other galleries and gar ,, dens. until at length they emerged into a garden laid out in the very top most court of all-the loftiest spot in all Kuttarpur.
 It was very beautiful garden, jungle of exotic plants and shrubs threaded by narrow walks that led 10 secluded hooks and unsuspected pleasaunces. and lighted by low-swung festoons of dim lamps. many colored.
 My lord" said the maharana, paus- ing, "if thou wilt wait here for little, permitting me to excuse myself-?" All right Amber told him to,er- antly. Run along"
 Salig Singh quietly effaced himself, and the American watched him go with an inward .chuckle T presume I'll have to pay for my impudence in he end he thought; "but it's costing Salig Singh a good deal to hold him self in" He moved away from the cis- tern. idling down a path In direction opposite that taken by Saiig Singh.
 An abrupt turn brought him to the outer wall, and he stopped to gaze, 'eaning upon the low marble bslus- trade.
 Amber turned away to rejoin Salig Singh by the cistern. But the rajput was not there; and, presently, another 'ath tempting him to unlawful eyplo- ~ation. he yielded and sauntered aim lessly away A sudden corner cloaked with foliage brought him to little open space, a patch of lawn over which a canopy had been raised. Be- meath this. woman sat alone. He halted, thunderstruck.
 Simu' 'taneously, with a soft swish 1f draperies, clash of jeweled brace cts. dull and musical. and flash of 'oruscating co'or, the woman stood nefore him. young slender. graceful, l ;srhed in indescribable splendor-snd
 eiied
 For the space of three long breaths the Virginian hesitated, unspeakably amazed. Though she were yelled, 1t were deep dishonor for woman of a ra1put's household to be seen by a stranger. It seemed inexplicable that Salig Singh should have unwittingiy left him in any place where he might encounter an inmate of the zenana. i Yet the maharana must have known. =. Amber made an frresoluta