Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-10-23
THURMONT FREDERICK COUNTY, MD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER

looked down upon the Durbar city,
with tents and pavilions and flying
flags, ropedoff courses for camels
and elephants. and its circles of seats
for the spectators. The Jam, clad
in the robes of empire. was at last re-
solved to make his coup at the psyche.
logical moment. So much he had
learned at an interview with Ram
aehundra Sing, Sikh of high lineage.
who, speaking in fawless English, di.
lated upon the possibilities of the
scheme.
think Of it. Mr.. Lane" he said, as
his eyes flashed, "a continent of three
hundred million souls dominated by
seventy thousand English troops!
Why, we shall sweep them away as
the wind sweeps the threshing floor.
But first we need the man. And the
Jam mas determined to cast his all
upon this throw"
Paul had an appointment at the
Jams palace for that afternoon. Much
remained to be done. The disburse-
ment of the immense sum Of money
which had been devoted to the enter
prise lay in the hands of Ramchundra,
but it was Lanes duty to supervise all
the details of the scheme. He was
especially perplexed because 1t was
impossible to witness a rehearsal OF
the Durbar, especially of the corona
ton ceremony. With one so vacillat-
ing as the Jam was known to be,
., tho hot
psychological moment would be al
lowed to pass, that the Indian prince,
overawed by the magnificence of the
scene, would fail to strike, and that
the latent hostility Of the crowd to-
ward England would be converted into
genuine enthusiasm for their for
eign ruler.
His visit to the Jam did not prove
productive of much confidence. The
prince was fat man, approaching
middle life. and evidently more adapt
ed to the enjoyment Of his placid and
protected sovereignty than to heroic
measures. For a long time only gen.
eralities were discussed; each time
that Paul approached the subject OF
his visit the Jam cast terrified
glance toward Ramchundra as though
to beseech him to change the topic OF
conversation. At last Paul left In de-
spair; he came to the conclusion that
the prince did not mean to keep his
part in the bargain and could not be
trusted.
On the next morning, however, Paul
received visit from Ramchundra
which materially altered the situation
81 had talk last night with his
highness," began the secretary In
mellifluous English. 'He wants 10
consult his astrologer before finally
committing himself, You are to meet
us there" He gave Paul an address
in little blind alley leading out OF
the Grand Bazaar "As the astrologer
has been amply bribed," he continued
smiling, 81 do not doubt that he will
consider the omens favorable.
"Now, Mr.. Lane" he went on. ut is
understood that at the moment when
his highness approaches the dais to
make his obeisance you, who will be
watching from the top tier of seats i'm
mediately in front of the pavilion, will
drop your handkerchief. The signal
will be seen by the commander of the
Skhs and will indicate that all is in
readiness. AS his highness arrests the
king and queen the commander will
swiftly move his troops to encircle
them, cutting off all access on the part
of the natives. A revolt will break
out, his hghness will rule in Delhi,
and English rule Is shattered forever
throughout India
He stopped and looked craftily at
Paul.
"You are thinking, Suppose the
prince changes his mind again at the
last moment" he said.
"Well-yes." admitted Paul.
"Mr. Lane" said the secretary. In
an apparent spontaneous outburst OF
confidence, you have never fully
trusted me in this affair. Now don't
=, explain your position; a secretary to
a prince somehow gets into the habit
Of reading his fellowmen fairly, accu-
rately. Well, sir, let me tell you that
I, too, have a good deal at stake, fol
, l would assuredly rather be the prime
minister of an Indian empire than a
mere secretary to principality. So ]
have taken a certain step to clinch the
matter. | have seen the astrologer In
, private and have arranged that the
princes coffee shall be drugged when
we three meet there tomorrow night.
gins"
, "Drlgged!" exclaimed Paul Lane.
"But how can a drugged man play so
important part?"
"You have heard of hashish? p
asked Ramchundra Sing.
"Assuredly."
ut is very mysterious drug, espe-
cially when blended with certain other
r narcotics, the knowledge Of which Is
confined to some Of the Indian prac-
titioners. For half an hour after swal.
!. lowing it one feels no effects at all;
. after that. when given in certain guam
titles and combinations, it possesses
the peculiar property of destroying
the perception of time. For instance,
to the man under hashish, thousand
years may pass, or seem to pass, In
moment. and conversely also. This Is
by the way. The most important ef-
feet Of the drugs which. the astrologer
: is to administer is that one under
their effects Is able to 60 about his
business apparently in full possession
, of his senses. Actually, he is an au-
= tomaton. He is like one hypnotized; |;
he obeys all orders unquestioningly.
For the inhibition of the processes of