The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1914-10-30


thoroughness. They examined the
elephants, but we're baffled there. oW-
ing 10 Ahmed's foresight. They en-
tered the native quarters. looked un-
der the canvases into the empty
cages, from cellar TO roof in the bunga-
low. when suddenly the captain
missed Ahmed.
Where is the Colonel Sahibs mani"
he asked. brusquely.
Possibly he is going the rounds OF
the animal cages" said Bruce. out
wardly calm. but shaking within.
And thou. Ramabai. beware!"
"Of what, captain?" coolly.
Thou. too. hast meddled; and med
dlers burn their fingers"
Il am innocent OF any crime" said
Ramabai 81 am watched. know; but
there is still some justice In Allaha."
Bully for you!" said Bruce in Eng
llsh.
The captain eyed him maleyolently.
Search the animal cages" he or
dered.
Bruce, Ramabai, and Pundita fol-
lowed the captain. He peered into
the cages, one by one. and at length
came to the leopard's cage. And
there was the crafty Ahmed, calmly
stroking the leopard, which snarled
suddenly. Ahmed stood up with a
fine imitation of surprise. The cap
tain, greatly mystified, turned about;
he was partially convinced that he
had had his work for nothing. Still
he had his tongue.
Thou, Ramabai, hast broken thy
parole. Thou vert not to leave thy
house. It shall be reported" Then he
took a shot at Bruce: And thou wilt
enter the city on the pain Of death"
With this he ordered the soldiers
right about and proceeded the way he
had come.
Ahmed, where is she?" cried Bruce,
who was as mystlfied as the captain.
Smiling. Ahmed raised one of the
broad teak boards, and the golden
head of Kathlyn appeared.
Ahmed" said Bruce. delighted,
hereafter you shall be chief of this
expedition. Now, what next?"
Secure files and return for my mas
ter"
Wait" interposed Kathlyn, emerg-
ing. 81 have a plan. 1t will be use
less 10 return tonight. He will be too
we'll guarded. Are you brave. Pun
dita?"
81 would die for the memsahib."
And l, too" added Ramabai.
Ahmed and Bruce gazed at each
other.
What is your plan, memsahib?"
and helping Kathlyn out Of the cage,
the door of which he closed quickly,
as the leopard was evincing a temper
at all this nocturnal disturbance.
'It is a trap for Umballa."
HE is as wise as the cobra and as
suspicious as the jackal," said Ahmed,
doubtfully.
Reason forbids that we return To-
night. Umballa will wait, knowing
me. Listen. Pundita, you shall re-
turn to the city. Two men will &C
company you to the gate. You will
enter alone in the early morning"
Pundita drew close to her husband.
"You will seek Umballa and play
traitor. You will pretend to betray
me-"
mo no, memsahib!"
Listen. You will demand to see
him alone. You will say that you are
Jealous of me. You will tell him that
you are ready to lead him to my hiding
place"
mo, Miss Kathlyn; that will not do
at ALL" declared Bruce emphatically.
To this Ahmed agreed with a shake
Of the head.
Let me finish" said Kathlyn. you
will tell him, Pundita, that he must
come alone. He will promise, but by
some sign or other he will signify to
his men to follow Well, the guard
may follow Once Umballa steps In
side the bungalow we will seize and
bind him. His life will depend upon
his writing a note to the Council to
liberate my father. II he refuses, the
leopard"
"The leopard?"
Yes; why not? A leopard was the
basic cause OF all this misery and
treachery. Let US give Umballa a
taste of it. Am I cruel? Well, yes;
all that was gentle and tender in me
seems either to have vanished or
hardened. He has put terror into my
heart; let me put it into his"
1T is all impractical" demurred /,
Bruce.
He will never follow Pundita," said |
Ahmed.
Then shall we all sit down and
waltz" Kathlyn asked bitterly. "At |
least let me try. He will not harm |
Pundita, since 1t is he wants"
she is right" averred Pundita. "A
woman can do more at this moment
than hundred men. will go. mem
sahib; and, more, I will bring him
back"
But If he should hold you as host
age?" suggested the harried Ahmed.
What then?"
What will be will be" answered
Pundita with oriental philosophy.
you shall go, Pundita," said Ra-
mabai; "and Durga Ram shall choke
these two hands if he harms
q hair of your head"
And now to bed" said Ahmed.
Well for Kathlyn that she had not
the gift of clairvoyance. At the pre-
else moment she put her head upon the
pillow her father was writhing under