The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1912-01-25
ByDOUIS JOSEPH VA
lOR OF THE BRASS BOWk ETC.


THAT my lord doth know"
"You think SO? Well, have it your
own way. But suppose decline the
invitation
Salig Singh looked bored. "Since
thou hast come 50 far" he said, thou
wilt go farther, hazoor."
"Meaning-by force?"
'Of thine own will. Those whom
the Voice calleth are not led to the
Gateway by their noses"
But" Amber persisted. suppose
they won't got"
Then, hazoor, doth the Council Of
the Hand sit in judgment upon them"
The significance was savagely obvi-
GUS, but Amber merely laughed. And
the Hand strikes, presumed" salig
Singh nodded. BLESS your heart, I'm
not afraid of your Hand! But am I
to understand that compulsion IL net
to be used in order to get me to the
Gateway-wherever that isl I mean,
I'm free to exercise my judgment,
whether or not shall go-free to
leave this place and return to my
hotel?"
Gravely the Rajput inclined his
head. Even So" he assented. Il
caused thee to DO brought thither sole
ly to make certain what thou hast out
OF thine own mouth CONFERENCE.-The
report that thou hadst become alto
gether traitor to the Bell. So be 1t.
There remains but the warning that
for four days more. and four days
only, the Gateway remains open to
those summoned. On the nth It
closes"
"And to those who remain In the
outer darkness ON the nth day, Salig
Singh"
God is merciful," said the Rajput
piously.
VERY well. II that Is Ill. think
I will now leave you. Salig Singh"
said Amber. fondling his pistol mean
ingly:
"One word more" Sally Singh in
terposed, very much alive to Amber's
attitude: II were unfaithful to the
trust thou didst once repose In mo
we're l not to warn thee that whittier
thou goest, the Mind will know; what
thou dost, the Eye will see; the words
thou shalt utter. the Ear will hear.
To all things there is an end, also
even to the patience Of tho Body,
Shabash!"
Thank you most to death. Sally
Singh. Now will you be good enough
to order a ghari to take me back to
the CrAaf Eaatorn4"
my lords will Is his servants"
Salig Singh started for the door the
least trace too eagerly.
"One moment" said Amber sharply.
mot SO fast, my friend" He tapped
his palm with the barrel of the pistol
to add weight to his peremptory man
ner. Il think If you will lift your
I've taken q great fancy to you. II
you don't know 1t, and don't pur'
pose letting you out Of my sight until
I'm safely out Of this house"
With sullen air tho Rajput yield
ed. From his expression Amber
would have wagered much that there
was . bad quarter Of an hour In store
for those who had neglected to disarm
him when the opportunity was theirs
"As you will" conceded salig Singh
and he clapped his hands smartly
crying: "Ohe. Moto!"
Almost instantly the iron dool
swung open and the lamp-bearer ap
peared. salaaming.
'"rell him." ordered Amber. IT
| 80
too conspicuous. I've no fancy tt
kick up a scandal at the hotel by re
turning with these duds visible. You
can charge 1t up to profit and loss
II 1t hadn't been for the tender treat
mont your assassins gave me, I'd b.
less disreputable."
A faint smile flickered In Salt
Singh's eyes-a look that was no
J wholly devoid of admiration for tn
man who had turned the tables OF
him with such ease. Indeed" h
said, II was lacking In courtesy dit
refuse thee that" And turning II
tho servant he issued instructions II
accordance with Amber's demands
, adding gratuitously an order that tn
| way VI CA1I 6uOOAu OO ACPe SAV0A.
: As the man bowed and withdrew
Amber grinned cheerfully. 1T WASH
bad afterthought, Salig Singh" b.
J observed; precautions like that re
| lieve the mind wonderfully some
times"
But the humor of the situation
, seemed to be lost upon the Rajput.
Without undue delay the servan
returned with a light cloak and tn
/ announcement that the ghari was Il
, waiting
His offer to help the American do
the garment was graciously declined
, I've a fancy to have my arms fire
t for the present" Amber explained
/ Il can get it on by myself in tn
ghari." He took the cloak over hi
: left arm. I'm ready; lead on!" h
said, and with graceful wave of tn
pistol bowed Salig Singh out of tn
\ | roI1or