Evening star., 1911-06-02
CHAPTER X-Continued.

and one pair after another IolloWed MS
example. With Travers still at his side.
the rajah drew back from the now crowd
ed floor OF dancers, and watched the
scene with glistenIng. eager eyes. happy
at last to be I'm the midst OF them-the
great people OF the world. It was bril-
liant scene, for Travers had spared moth
Ing. The sides OF the marquee banked
with flowers. the music. the brilliant
dresses and uniforms. were all calculated
to impress a mind as yet curiously un-
spoiled by the pomp and magnificence OF
the east They impressed Nehal Singh
deeply; his mind was filled with wonder
and pleasure which did something toward
soothing the first bitter disappointment
that the evening had brought him.
But above all else. he wondered at him
self and the rapidity Of the fate which IN
two short weeks had swept him out OF his
solitude into the very vortex OF q world
unknown TO him save through his BOOKS.
He asked himself what power 1t was tnat
had fiung aside caste. religion. education'
like q childs sand castle before the on
rush OF q mighty tide Caste. religion.
hatred Of the foreigner. these things had
been sown deep into him, had been fos-
tered and trained like precious plants,
and now they were dead at the first con-
tact with European ideas. They We're
gone as though they had never been He
had made no resistance. He had dr1fted
with the stream, regardless or the en-
treating, threatening hands heio out 70
him; yielding to divine power stronger
than himself. stronger far than the I'M
planted principles Of his life.
His wonder, though he did not know II.
was shared by the Englishman at his
side. Travers, accustomed as he was 10
look upon human theories and principles
as buyable and saleable appendages.
could not suppress q mild surprise at the
rapidity with which this Hindu prince
had assimilated the ideas and mental at
titude OF another hemisphere Possibly
1t could be traced back to the parrotnke
propensities OF all inferior races. but
Travers, much as the solution appealed
to him. could not accept 1t. A parrot
that assumes with apparent ease the
ways Of his master within q fortnignt.
and thereby retains q striking originality
Of his own, Is not an ordinary parrot, dno
the conviction was dawning on Travers
that Nehal Singh was not an ordinary
Hindu. The unusual simplicity or his
dress, which nevertheless concealed
costly and refined taste: his firm though
unpretentious bearing, the energy with
which he had overthrown what Travers
guessed must have been a fairly violent
opposition on the part or his pr1estiy ad-
visers, pointed to q decided, Interesting
and. perhaps. under certain clrcum
stances, dangerous personality. The lat
ter part OF this deduction had not as yet
struck Travers in its full force. but so
much he, at least. felt that he proceeded
to go warily. relying on his diplomacy
and still more on Q weapon which was
not the less effective for being Kept. as
on this occasion, in the background.
"Rajah Sahib, this is our second meet
ing" he said. after few minutes. study
Of the handsome. absorbed face. Il have
my answer ready"
Nehal Singh turned at once. as though
1a hol TTQVer9
broach the subject.
"You have not forgotten, then?"
Forgotten? No: it lent itself too easily
to my fancy and secret ambition Tor me
to forget. Doubtless. though. my answer
will not appeal to you. for II Is the an
swer Of q business man with a business
hobby OF immense proportions and OF the
earth earthly
Nevertheless. tell 1t to me-" Nehal
Singh said looking about him as tnougn
seeking a way out of the noise and con-
fusion. Whatever it is. 1t will interest
me so long as it has one object.
"I venture to think know that object,
was Travers' mental comment as he led
the way into the second division OF the
marquee.
The place had been laid out as re-
freshment room. with small. prettily
decorated tables, and was for the mo-
ment empty, save for q few busy native
servants An electric globe hung from
brilliant light Travers came to stand,
still He put his hand In his pocket and
drew out what seemed to be jewel case.
which he opened and handed to the
rajah.
YOU to look at that and give me your
opinion, Rajah Sahib," he said. Il VIII
then proceed"
Nehal Singh took the small white stone
from the case and studied 1t intentiy: He
held it to tho light. and it flashed back
at him q hundred brilliant colors. He
smiled with the pleasure or connois-
seur.
diamond. Though smaller. 1t must sure
ly equal the one I wear In my turoan.
You confirm my opinion and the opin-
ion Of all experts" Trayers answered, en-
Enthusiastically, land will confess to you
that it is that stone which has prolonged
my stay Indefinitely at Marut- About
year ago a friend Of mine. an engineer.
who was engaged on some government
work at the river, had occasion to make
excavations about q quarter OF q mile
from the bazaar. He happened to come
across this stone, and being something
OF an expert. he recognized n-ano neio
his tongue, When he came south again
to Madras he confided his discovery 70
me- and impressed by his story and the
stone, sent a mining engineer to Marut
to make secret Investigations. L received
his report six months ago..
Nehal Singh replaced the stone slowly
in its case.
"What did he say7" he asked.
'sHe reported that there were sure and
certain signs that the whole OF the ba-
zaar is built upon q diamond field of un-
usual proportions, which, unlike other
Indian mining enterprises, was likely to
repay, doubly repay, exploitation. l I'M
mediately came to Marut, and found that
the bazaar was entirely your property.
Rajah Sahib. and that you were not like
ly to be Influenced by any representa-
tions. Nevertheless, remained. expert
menting and investigating. above all hop
ing thet some chance would lead me in
your way. Destiny. as you see. Ratah
sahib. has spoken the approving word:
Nehal Singh sighed as he handed the
case back. and the sigh expressed q
rather weary disappointment
"I have stones enough and wealth
enough" he said. II have no need OF
more"
1T was not Of you was thinking.
Rajah sahib." Travers returned
"Of whom, then?"
'.Of myself, to some extent. as becomes
q business man. but also. and venture
to assert principally, of the general well
fare of your country and people
"I fear do not understand you"
"And yet, Rajah Sahib. you have read.
and have no doubt. been able to trace
through history the source OF prosperity
and misfortune among the nations. The
curse Of India is her overpopulatton ana
the inability Of her people to extract from
the earth sufficient means for existence.
II may say so. the ordinary native Is
dreamer who prefers to starve on
treasure hoard rather than bestir himself
itiative, lack of opportunity. lack also OF
C,,idea have made your subjects suffering