Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-11-08


there was always the fear that the
psychological moment would be al
lowed TO pass, that the Indian prince,
overawed by the magnifcence of the
scene. would fail to strike, and that
the latent hostility of the crowd to-
ward England would be converted into
a genuine enthusiasm for their for
eign ruler
His visit to the Jam did not prove
productive of much confidence. The
prince was a fat man, approaching
middle life. and evidently more adapt
ed to the enjoyment of his placid and
protected sovereignty than to heroic
measures. For long time only gen
eralities were discussed; each time
that Paul approached the subject of
his visit the Jam cast a 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 a visit from Ramchundra
which materially altered the situation.
Il had a talk last night with his
highness." began the secretary in
mellfluous 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. at 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
Sikhs 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, bis highness 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
prince somehow gets into the habit
of reading his fellowmen fairly accu-
rately. Well, sir, let me tell you that
/, too, have a good deal at stake, for
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,
! twelve hours before the Durbar be
gins"
"Drugged!" exclaimed Paul Lane.
But how can a drugged man play so
important a part?"
You have heard of hashish?''
asked Ramchundra Sing.
"Assuredly."
1T is a very mysterious drug, espe-
cially when blended with certain other
narcotics, the knowledge of which is
! confined to some of the Indian prac-
titioners. For half an hour after swal.
| lowing II 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 a
moment, and conversely also. This is
by the way The most important eff.
| feet of the drugs which the astrologer
is to administer is that one under
/
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
ratiocination leaves the mind in a
state to carry out the one idea which
has been placed in it. You understand
me? Good! Well, then, his highness
the Jam. when under the influence OF
this drug, will be told exactly what he
is to do and will set about to do it, He
will conquer an empire in a dream
and awake to find himself an EN-
peror."
Skeptical as he was by nature, Pau
was forced to admit to himself thai
the idea was not wholly impracticable
At any rate the apathy of the Jam haC
made desperate measures essential
The enthusiasm of the secretar!
seemed equal to his own; before hi
left he pronounced a malediction up
on British rule and painted the pros
poets of a free India in such CLOWN.
terms that Pauls own ardor wa.
again awakened. They parted with {
warm hand-clasp and in the under
standing that they were to meet OIL
the following night at the astrologert
house.
Paul was admitted to the little two
story shanty by an evil-looking Hin
doc. dressed in a dirty white loil