Gilpin observer., 1912-01-04

Came Toward Them Leading Three
household guard OF Khandawar, while
the iC-ses seemed to be stalliors he
had seen in the palace yard, with an
other but little their inferior in mettle
or beauty.
Now" announced the woman in
tones OF deep contentment, I'VE will
ri5e."
She turned to Amber, who took her
up in his arms and set her in the sad
die of one of the stations
Fhe sowar surrendered to Amber
the reins of the other stallion ard
stspred hastily aside The Virginian
took the saddle with a flying leap, and
q thought later was digging his kness
into the brute's sleek fianks and saw
ing on the bits, while the Path flowed
beneath him, dappled with moonlight
and shadow. like a ribbon of gray
green silk, and trees and shrubbery
streaked back on either hand in =
rush Of melting blacks and grays.
Swerving acutely the path ran into
TIE dusty high road Amber heard n
rush Of hoofs behind him. and then
slowly the gauze-wrapped figure OF the
queen drew alongside.
Marc, Let hin. run. my kingi
The way is not far for such as he.
Have no fear lest he tire!"
But Amber set his teeth and
wrought with the reins until his
mount comprehended the fact that he
had met a master and, moderating his
first furious burst of speed, settled
down into a league-devouring stride,
crest low. limbs gathering and stretch
ing. with the elegant precision of
clockwork His rider, regaining his
poise. found time TO look about him
and began TO enjoy, for all his cares,
this wild race through the bluewhita
night.
They circled finally great. round.
grassless hillside and pulled rein in
the notch of gigantic V formed By
two long. prow-like spurs running out
upon a plain whose sole. vague bound
ary was the vast arc Of the horizon.
Before them loomed dead Kathiapur.
an island of stone girdled by the shall
low silver river. Like the rugged
pedestal of some mammoth column. its
cliffs rose sheer threescore feet from
the waters edge to the foot OF the
outerinost OF its triple walls. From
the notch in the hills a great store
causeway climbed with q long and
easy grade TO the level of the first
great gate. spanning the chasm over
the river by means of crazy woeden
bridge
40 av,1 o.,
oath from the sowar startled Amber
out OF somber apprehensions into
which he had been plurged by contem-
platiou of this inpregnable fortress
! of desolation. Gone was his lust fer
peril, gone his high. needless JOY c.
adventure. gone the intoxication which
| had been his who had drunk deep OF
the cup of romance; there remained
| only the Knowledge that he alone and
| single.handed. was to pit his wits
| against the invisible and mighty
| forces that lurked in hiding within
| those walls. to seem TO submit TO
their designs and so find his way to
the woman o. his love. tear her from
the grasp of tie unseen. and with her
escape.
Naraini had. indeed. no need to cry
aloud or clutch his hand in order to
apprise him that the Eye was vigilant
He himself had seen It break forth, a
lurid star of emerald light suspended
high above the dark heart of the city.
Slowly. while they watched the
star descended. foot by foot. dropping
until the topmost pinnacle Of a hidden
temple semed to support It: and
there 1t rested. throbbing with light,
now bright. now dull.
Amber shook himself impatiently
SILLY charlantry!" he muttered, irri
tated by his own susceptibility to its
sinister suggestion. I'D like
to know how they manage It. though ;
the light itself's comprehensive
enough. but their control Of It.
If there we're enough wind, I'd suspect
kite. -
Thou art not dismayed. my king
He laughed, not quite a. successful
ly as he could have wished. and. "No'
l. Naraini." he returned in English; 9
tongue which seemed somehow better
suited for service In combating the es
oteric influences at work upon his
mind. Whats the next turn on the
program?"
II like not that tone. nor yet that
tongue" The Woman shiversd. Ever
- the Eye sssth. my lord. 20 dotl