The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-31

tempe lamps Of brass emphasized the
darkness OF the room rather than dis
peeled it. A shadow occasionally flick
cred through the amber haze--an ex-
ploring bat. \ dozen or more priests
stood in one OF the dim corners, from
which their own especial idol winked
at them with eyes like Goals blown
upon-the Krishna Of the Ruby Eyes,
an idol known far and wide but seen
by few
In the temple itself there was a hand
full Of tardy worshippers. The heat Of
the candles, the smell of the eternal
lotus flower and smoking incense sticks
made even the huge vault sitting.
Many of the idols were bejewelled or
patched with beaten gold leaf, and many
had been coveted by wandering white
men, who, when their endeavor became
known, disappeared mysterlously and
we're never more known in the haunts
e men.
\ man In tatters appeared suddenly
n the great arched doorway. His tur-
han came down almost to his eyes and
n neckcloth covered his mouth. All
that could be seen Of him in the matter
e countenance was n pair OF brilliant
,'es and a predatory nose.
He threw quick. piercing glance
r1out, assured himself that such devo-
tees as he saw were harmless. then
rode boldly IL hurriedly toward the
rear chamber which he entered without
edo. Instantly the indignant priests
rushed toward him to expel him and
give him a tongue flashing for his i'm
pudence. when hand was thrust out
and they beheld upon finger a great
green stone They stopped as sud
denly as though they had met an cleo
tic current.
he curtain fell behind the man In
ta::ers. and he remained motionless for
n space. 4 low murmuring among the
p.ests ensued and presently one Of
their number--the youngest-passed
OF: and stationed himself before the
curtain. Not even a privileged dancing
girl might enter now
The man in tatters stepped forward.
He became the centre Of the group; his
gestures were quick. tense. authorita-
tive. At length priest turned to priest
and the wrinkled faces became more
wrinkled still-smiles.
"Highness," said the eldest, I'VE had
thought of this. but you did not make
us your confidants."
trrt, IL no.
CURED to me. Shall Ramabai then be-
come your master. to set forth the
propaganda Of the nfde.?'
"No." The word was not spoken
loudly hut sibillantly. with something
resembling a hiss. "No!"
"And shall a king who has no mind,
no will, no strength. resume his
authority? Perhaps to bring more white
people into Alfalfa, perhaps to give
Alfalfa eventually To the British raj?"
Again the negative.
But the method"
Umhalla smiled. What brings the
worshipper here with candles and
flowers and incense? Is it love or rever-
ence or superstition"
The bald yellow heads nodded like
porcelain mandarin .
Superstition" went on tmballa. 1.-THE
sword which bends the knees of the lay
man. has and always will through the
ages"
In the vault outside a bell tinkled a
gong doomed melodiously.
When | give the sign" continued the
schemer. declare the curse upon all
those who do not bend. word from
your lips and Ramabai's troops vanish,
reform and become yours and mine!'
while the king lives?" asked the
chief priest curiously.
"Ah." And Umhalla smiled again.
but you. Durga RAM"
There Is Ramahai, senile KING
and I. Which for your purpose will
YOU choose
There was a conference. The priests
drifted away from Umhalla. He did not
stir. His mien was proud and naughty,
hut for all that his knees shook and
his heart Numbered. He understood
that 1t was to be all or nothing, no
middle course no half methods. He
waited wetting his cracked and swollen
fps. When the priests returned to him
their heads bent before him little. II
represented a salaam as much as they
had ever given Ia the king himself. A
glow ran over rmhalla.
"Highness, We agree. There will be
terms
II will agree to them without ques-
ton"
Life and power again; real power
These doddering fools should serve him,
thinking the while that they served
themselves.
Half the treasury must be paid to
the temple"
agreed" Half for the temple and
half for himself and the adjustment
Of the seven leopards. with this
stipulation: Ramabai is yours, but the
white people are to he mine"
The priests signifed assent.
And Umballa smiled in secret. Rama
hal would he dead on the morrow.
There remains the king said the
chief priest,
I'mballa shrugged.
The chief priest stared soberly at the
lamp above his head. The king would
be, then, Umballa's affair.
He is ill?"
"He is morlbund Silence!'
warned Umballa.
The curtains became violently agitat-
ed. They heard the voice Of the young
priest outside raised In protest, to be