Gilpin observer., 1912-01-18

Ighness?"
"Thatll do. Put down those guns.
and call your commanding oficer. III
explain to him. Where Is he? What
troops are you? When did you ar
rive?"
Whats this?" A sharp voice CUT
the comments Of the Tommies, ant
they were smitten silent by It. An Of
f1cer, with jingling spurs and SWORD
in hand, elbowed through the heart
Of the press. Stop that row instantly
What's this? Who are you, sir?"
Il sent the message from KathiapuE,
and I'm uncommonly happy to meet
you. whoever you may be, sir. TeE
your men to fall back, please, and IN
introduce myself properly"
Two words secured the secret agent
the privacy he desired; the officer Of
fered him an ungloved hand as the
troopers withdrew out of hearing
Happy, indeed" he said cheerfully.
'I'm Rowan. captain, Fourteenth p!o-
neers"
I'm Labertouche, l. s. 8. This is
Miss Farrell, daughter Of Colonel Far
rell, and this Mr.. Amber of New York.
We've just escaped from that rock
over there and-if you'll pardon-rd
suggest you set a strong guard over
the ford behind those tamarisks.''
"One moment. please" The oficer
strode Off to issue instructions in no
cordance with Labertouche's advice
I'VE got here only quarter of an hour
ago." he apologized. swinging back an
the men deployed into the thicket-
land haven't had time to nose out the
lay of the land thoroughly"
From the ford an abrupt clamor Of
voices interrupted. The officer hook
ed up his scabbard. Sounds as II my
men had gathered in somebody else
he said hastily. "If you'll excuse me.
I'll have q look" He trotted OF into
the shade of the tamarisks.
AS he disappeared the disturbance
abated somewhat. False ALARM" An
ber guessed.
"I fancy not" said Labertouche. "If
I'm not mistaken our friend Narainx
left for the special purpose of raising
the hue and cry. This should be the
vanguard of the pursuit"
Amber looked upward. Overhead
the soulless city slumbered in still
ness apparently unbroken, yet he wis
saw its profile rugged against the
stars, could fancy what CONSERVATION
was then. or presently would be, run
ming riot through its haunted ways
How many Of 'em are there, do you
reckon?" he asked.
Three or four hundred" replied
the secret agent absently; 1.-The pick
and flower of Indian unrest. My word.
but this will kick up row! Think OF
1t, man! three hundred and fifty-odd
lords and princes bagged all at once
in the act of plotting the Second Mu-
tiny! What a change it will work on
the political face of the land!
And the best Of it is, they simply
can't get away"
Amber was thinking with vindictive
relish of what fate he would mete out
to the manipulation of the Bell, were
1t left to him to pass sentence. But
he broke of as n body of soldiery
burst from the tamarisks. and, headed
sy young Rowan, hurried toward the
three. bringing with them a silent and
unresisting prisoner.
II say" the officer called excitedly
in advance, here's something uncom-
mon rum. It's a woman. you knew"
"Aha!" said Labertouche, and "Ah!"
said Amber, with a click of his teeth.
while the woman on his arm ciuDS
to him the closer.
II thought we'd better bring her to
you, for she said :" Rowan
paused, embarrassed. and took fresh
start. my men got to the ford just
as she was coming ashore with three
other men. and the whole pack took
to cover on this side. Two of the men
are still missing, but we routed out
the other just now with this-ah-
lady. He showed fight and got bay
onetted. But the woman-excuse me,
Mr.. Amber-she protests-by George.
it's too ridiculous!-"
Il have claimed naught that is not
true!" an unforgettably sweet voice
interrupted from the center of the
group. 1t opened out, disclosing Ma
raini between two guards in that mo-
ment Of passion and fear perhaps
more incomparably beautiful than any
save her who held to Amber's arm.
a-quiver with womanly sympathy and
compassion.
Aye, have claimed" she stormed-
II have claimed justice and the rights
OF wifehood. the protection OF him
whose wife am; or, II he deny me,
claim that he must suffer with me-
he who hath played the traitors part
tonight, betraying his Cause and his
wife alike to their downfall!
claim" she insisted. lifting. in spite
Of the soldiers restraining hands, one
small Quivering arm to single Amber
out and point him to scorn. that this
is tho man who welded to me by
solemn right and the custom Of the
land, hath deserted and abandoned
me hath danied mo even ma he deniea