Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-06-14

married Russian nobiewoman" Am.
/ Der hesitated imperceptibly--"that she
died soon after, that he chose TO i've
out OF India and TO die rather than
return to H."
"Iie was said Labertouche,
singular man. an exotic result OF the
unnatural conditions we English have
brought about In India. The word
renegade describes him aptly, think;
be was born and bred a Brahmin, a
Rajput. OF the hottest and hluest
blood In Rajputana; he died 10 all in
tents and purposes European--with
an English heart He is-was--by
rights Maharana of Khandawar. As
the young maharaj he was sent to
England TO be educated. I'm told his
( record at oxford was a brilliant one,
He became convert TO Christianity
that was predestined-wa admitted
10 the Church OF England, a eommuni.
/ cant. When his father died and he
was summoned to take his place. Hut
ton at FIRST refused. Pressure was
/ brought TO bear upon him by the Eng
fish government and he returned. was
enthroned. and for a little time ruled
+ Khandawar II was then that knew
him. He was continually dissatisfied,
f however, and after a year or two DIS
appeared. II was rumored that hed
struck a bargain with his prime min
4 lister. one Salig Singh, At all events
+ Salig Singh contrived 10 usurp the
i throne. government offering no objec-
/ ton. Rutton turned up eventually In
/ Russia and married woman there
/ who died in childbirth--twenty years
ago, perhaps. The child did not sur
+ vive its mother :" Labertouche
paused deliberately, his glance search
ing Amber's face. 80 the report ran,
at least" he concluded, quietly.
How do you know all this?' Am
Der countered, evasiveiy.
Government watches Its wards
very tenderly," said Labertouche with
grin. Besides, midas great
place for gossip. And then,
he pursued tenaciously. Il remem-
bered something else. recalled that
Rutton had one very close friend. an
/ Englishman named Farrell
I ooh, what's the use?" Amber cut in
nervously. You understand the alt
uation too we'll It's no good my try
ing to keep anything from you"
Such as the fact that Colonel Far
rell adopted Buttons daughter. who
as 1t happens, did survive her mother?
Yes; | knew that--or rather, part !
knew and part l guessed. But don't
worry, Mr.. Amber; I'll keep the Sc
cret."
For the girls sake" said Amber,
twisting his hands together,
For her sake. I pledge my word. '
Thank you"
"And now for what purpose
did Rutton ask you to come to India?
! Wasn't 1t to get Miss Farrell out Of
the country
a think you're the devil himself $
said Amber.
I'm not" confessed Labertouche;
"but l am member OF the Indian Sc
cret service--not officially connected
with the police, observe,--and know
q deal that you don't think, In
short, ! can place my finger on the
reason why Rutton was so concerned
to get his daughter out OF the coun-
try"
Amber looked his question.
you read the papers. don't you. in
( American"
Rather" Amber smiled.
You've surely not been so blind az
to miss the occasional reports that
/ leak out about native unrest in
India?"
T Surely you don't mean"
Il assuredly do mean that the Sec
ond Mutiny impends," declared Lab
ertouche, solemnly Such, at least
is my belief. and such is the belief OF
every thinking man In India who Ii
at all informed. The entire country Is
undermined with conspiracy and sedi.
ton; day after day a vast, silent, I'M
foreground movement goes on, foment
ing rebellion against the English rule
The worst of 1t is, there's no stopping
1t, no way of scotching the serpent:
its heads are myriad, seemingly. And
yeti don't know-since yesterday
have hoped that through you we might
eventually strike to the heart OF the
movement"
Through mel" cried Amber
startled
Labertouche nodded. Just so. The
information you have already brought
us is invaluable. Have you thought
of the significance Of Chatterjis Mes
sage of the Bell?"
Even now Amber quoted me
chanically, THE Gateway of Swords
yawns wide, that he who is without
fear may pass within; to the end that
the Body be purged Of the Scarlet
Evil" He shook his head mystified,
/ NO; l don't understand"
ITS so simple" urged Labertouche;
AL but the Gateway of Swords.
don't place that-yet But
the 'Body'-plainly that is India; the
Scarlet Evil-could anything more fit'
tingly describe English rule from the
native point of view7"