The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-05-30

inactive. The white people could not possibly have left
the city; they were still within the walls. For all that
he had reasoned shrewdly regarding the house Of Ramabai,
he could not dismiss the possibility from his mind. So
at length he ordered his captain of the guard, roughly
and with curses-for Umballah was not pleasant In his
cups-to proceed at once to the house OF Ramabai and
learn if they were there, or had been; to bastinado every
servant in the house till the truth was dragged from
their lips. Dead or alive!
The captain salaamed and departed with his men. He
was the same captain whom Umballah weeks before had
marked for death because of his insolence. But the regent
had found him SO necessary that he dared not harm the
man till real quiet was fully restored in Alfalfa. And
we'll the captain knew this knew that his master was
only biding his time and that once Umballah had his de-
sires his (the captain's) throat would not be worth q
copper piece. But the captain was a gambler, and Um-
ballah's rupees were as necessary to him as air and water.
Still, if Umballah had hidden fangs, SO had he. Let the
regent strike.
AS Bruce and Kathlyn reached the door leading into
the house they were met by Ramabai, whose face was
grave.
"Ah, Memsahib, you ought not to have come out here.
You might be seen. Perhaps UmbaIai is merely playing
with US, cat and mouse wise"
He might have had more at his tongues end, but he
was destined not to utter 1t. The gate was flung open
violently and the servant who had been watching the
street burst in with the cry:
"Solders!"
The colonel, Winnie, and Pundita appeared. For a
moment they believed that Ramabai was going to guide
them to the secret gallery. But suddenly he raised his
head and stared boldly at the gate. And by that sign
Bruce and the colonel understood; Ramabai had taken up
the dice to make his throw. The two men put their
bands to their revolvers and waited.
Soon the captain and his men came rushing IN, only to
stop short at a sign from Ramabai.
Captain he began, " is Durga Ram. q good master7
Does he keep his promisesT
The captain turned and eyed his mem
Does he look out for your welfare as an honest man
should, or does he simply ure you as his tools and dupes?
For what does he want the soldiery? IT, guard the weak
and the oppressed from the strong, or to fortify himself
in such manner that it will be easy for him to take what
money he wishes and dses Is he a good. master who per-
secutes for his own ends?"
"Ramabai," said he 'aptain, "speak 1t your thought
frankly and clearly"
Thus challenged, Ramabai said: "Join our side, and
tomorrow at dawn we will strike a blow for the better.
ment of Alaha !" -~ "r
And what Of the old man In the dungeon? p dryly. re-
wait till We o7erthrow Umballah and the eowardly
council; then -e rhaI speak Of him. Well?" proudly
and iearlessy.
"Ramabai," replied the captain, " too. will be frank.
I Will be loyal to the hand that pays me best, for I am
not an AIlahan BY birth. I am a mercenary. I have
said it"
"Bs with me on the morrow and I promise out Of my
own chest viii L pay you your arrears and earnest money
for the future. On the other hand, what viii you gain
by taking us prisoners to Umballah?'
my lords word is known. I myself will take charge
Of the affairs at the palace and Umba1lah shall go to the
burning CHATS. I will announce to him that I found you
not. When you arrive at the palace you viii find every
thing In readiness But till you come I dare not lift a
hand"
And at that moment he meant every word he said.
Ramabai was the richest man In Alfalfa. He turned
again to his men, to find that they were really to follow
Ramabai anywhere and &c any time.
Ahmed, who knew the Agiatic heart thoroughly, could
scarcely repgess a smile. No matter. If they proved loyal
to Ramabai on the morrow much would be forgiven.
The captain and his men departed, while .Ranabai and
bis friends resntsred the house to find the imperturbable
Lal Singh decked out in his lawful fnery. He was Ram.
ahais right hand, and the British Raj vanished into
nothingness.
An is ready" he announced.
Dawn replied Ramabai.
This servant goes forth for the h-patties"
Dawn. Tfe garden was filing with silent armed men