The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1914-07-31

things. We shall make 1t to morrow
It's but two hours ride. but there's ns
hurry. and besides there's a herd Of
elephants behind US somewhere
They've come up far for this time o.
year"
Yes. sahib."
Any news worth while?"
All made a gesture. It signified Z
great many things.
Bruce Sahib viii not believe"
Believe whats' said Bruce. empty
ing his pipe against his heel.
There is a white queen In the CITY,
What! What bally nonsense 1.
!, thisg"
1t is only what I've been told sahib
Hare Sahib is dead"
Bruce let his pipe slip through his
fingers, Hare! Good Lord"
Yes. sahib. But that Ia not all. II
seems the king went mad after We
went to Africa. You remember how
Hare Sahib saved him from the ieop
ard9 Well, he made Hare Sahib his
heir. He had that right; the law 81
the childless king has always read sc
in Alfalfa, The white queen Is Hare
sahib's daughter"
Bruce leaned against a tent pole
Am dreaming or are your" he
gasped.
1T is what they tell me. sahib. !
know 1t not as a fact"
The king dead, Hare dead, and his
daughter on the throne! How did she
get here? And what the devil Is a
chap to do% Bruce stopped and re.
covered his pipe and swore softly. "AH,
II this is true, then it's some devil
work; and I'll wager my shooting
eye that that sleek scoundrel Umballa,
as they call him. is at the bottom OF
1t. A white woman, good old Hare's
daughter. I'll look into this"
The native who had spread this as.
founding news in Bruce's camp was al
ready Fastening back to the city,
some IA miles away. He had been a
bhisti (water carrier) to the house
of Ramabai up to the young bankers
Incarceration. To him. then, he car.
r1ed the news that a white hunter had
arrived outside the city--"Bruce Sahib
has returned" -
Ramabai lost no time in taking this
news to Kathlyn..
"Ramabai, ! have saved your life;
save mine. Go at once to him and tell
him that l am a prisoner but am called
a queen; tell him l am Colonel Hare's
daughter, she VINO Travelled with him
on the same ship from Hongkong to
Singapore. Go! Tell him all, the
death of my father and Umballa's
~treachery. Hasten!"
Bruce was eating his simple evening
meal when Ramabai arrived.
Bruce Sahib?"
Eyes. Your face is familiar"
you have been twice to my bank.
| am Ramahai."
u remember. But what are you do
ing here?"
Il have come for aid. sahib, aid for
a young woman, white like Yourself"
Then 1t is true? Go ahead and let
me have all the facts. She Is Hare
Sahib's daughter; Ali told me that.
Precious ~rigamarole Of some sort. The
facts!"
She Ia also the young lady who
travelled in the same boat from Hong.
kong to Singapore" Ramabai paused
to see the effect Of this information.
Bruce lowered his fork slowly. The
din about him dwindled away into
nothing. He was again leaning over
the rail, watching the phosphorescence
trail away. a shoulder barely touching
his: one of the few wome who had
ever stirred him after the first glance.
In Gods name. why hadn't she said
something?
Il shall enter the city as soon as
can settle my bungalow. This rather
me out"
mo. sahib; don't wait; come back
with mel" Quickly he outlined the des-
straits in which Kathlyn stood.
Tomorrow may be too late"
'Ali!" called Bruce. rising.
Yes, sahib."
The pasta. No questions. Give
him water. Use the hunting howdah.
Both guns and plenty Of cartridges.
all"
There will be many pitfalls. sahib."
said Ramabai.
Indeed"
II have some influence with the
populace, but Umballa has the army,
paid for. The priests and the Council
ire back of him. And, after all, the
are most to be feared. They
IAN always sway the people through
Bruce laughed again. Either Kath.
yn Hare will be free tomorrow or UNI
oalla and the Council meat for the
ackals . or l shall be-" he
Idded, In afterthought. mo. do not
peak till l speak. ! wish to think, for
We got to act quickly; | can't make
ny mistakes when ] get there"
Far away a brown figure In clout
nd turban watched the young man.
he saw the elephant with the
howdah he knew that he had