The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-22
CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII
w YHEN Kathlyn returned 10 tn
M compound 1t was with tn
news that she had discovered

group OF men some twelNe
or fifteen miles to the west. They had
paused at what Appeared to he well
and with them was the sacred white
elephant. Bala Khan was for giving
orders at once to set out with his racing
camels to catch and cruelty every
mothers son of them on the city walls
But Ramabai interposed.
"As I came toward the compound
was given a message. The man who
gave Il to me was gone before ! could
get good look at his face. These men
who stole the sacred white elephant are
brave and desperate. At the first sign
OF pursuit they promise to kill the ele-
plant"
And by the beard Of the prophet"
cried Bala Khan, his face purplng with
passion. these men of the desert keep
their promises-and So do l. ] promise
later to nail each one Of them to the
walls to die hanging to nails"
But Just now" said Ramabal quietly.
"the main thing Is To rescue the ele-
plant. and I have "A plan"
Let me hear it,"
From what you told me last night"
went on Ramabai those nomads or
brigands are opium fiends.'
Bala Khan nodded.
Bruce Sahib here and ! will under
take to carry them doctored opium. ]
know something about the drug. ! be-
lieve that We saw the thieves last eve
ming as we came through the streets.
My plan IL this: We will take five rae
ing cameis. go north and turn. making
the well from the west That will not
look like pursuit"
But fve camels?" Bala Khan was
curious.
Yes In order to allay the suspicious
of the brigands Kathlyn Memsahib and
my wife must accompany us"
The Colonel objected. but Kathlyn
overruled his objections
But, Kit, they will recognize us.
They will not have forgotten me. They
will know that we have come from the
town. despite the fact that to all APP
pearances We come from the west"
Bruce also shook his head. 1T doesn't
look good. Ramabai. Why not We three
mem"
"They would he suspicious ar once.
They would reason III they saw kathlyn
Memsahib and my wife with us that we
were harmless. VIII you trust me?"
Anywhere" said the Colonel. "But
they will simply make MS prisoners
along with the elephant"
"Ah. but the Colonel Sahih forgets
the opium" Ramabai laid his hand
upon the Coloners arm. Let them
make prisoners of us, The very first
4. lao. L..
In quarter Of an hour they will lie
as dead. and We can return"
1T IL good plan" said Bala Khan,
when the conversation was fully trans
lated to him. "And once the elephant is
back In the compound I'll send a dozen
men back for the rogues. All, they will
play with me- they will steal into my
town, overcome my guards, take the
apple of my eye, i,amabai. thou art a
friend indeed Haste, and Allah fcnd for
thee tmballa may arrive with an
army, hut he shall not enter my gates"
Guided by servant Bruce and Rama
bal set on for the opium den. The pro-
prietor understood exactly what they
desired. There were times when men
entered his place who were in need of a
long sleep. having money tucked away
In the FANTASTIC cYmmerbunds.
So. mounted upon five swift came,s,
the party started off on wide circle.
Whether they caught the brigands at
the well or on the way to their noun
Tain homes was Of no great Importance.
Ramahai was quite certain that the re-