The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1915-05-29


opportunity to get near him. But pa
tience,"
Let US return to father and Win
ME-" she said. Besides, perhaps l
ought not to have come out here at
ALL"
And Winnie! The change which
had taken place in the child was the
most remarkable of all to Kathlyn.
Winnie was a woman, quiet, brave. un-
murmuring. and Kathlyn now real
lied that the child had been Eighty |
simply because they had coddled her
and given way to her whims in the
old days. The old days. All. could
either of them ever go back to the |
placid. humdrum contentment Of home |
after all this strife?
During this talk in the garden Um-
balla had not been inactive. The
white people could not possibly have
left the city; they were still within
the walls. For all that he had rea-
soned shrewdly regarding the house
of Ramabai, he could not dismiss the
length he ordered his captain of the
guard, roughly and with curses-for
Umballa was not pleasant in his cups
Ito proceed at once to the house OF
Ramabai and learn if they were there,
or had been; to bastinado all the serv-
ants 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 cap
tain whom Umballa weeks before had
marked for death because Of his in
science. But the regent had found
him so necessary that he dared not
harm the man till real quiet was fully
restored in Alfalfa. And well the cap
tain knew this; knew that his master
was only biding his time and that once
Umballa had his desires his (the cap
tain's) throat would not be worth q
copper piece. But the captain was a
gambler, and Umballa's rupees were
as necessary to him as air and water.
Still, if Umballa 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 Umballa is merely
playing with us, cat and mouse WISE.
He might have had more at his
to utter it. The gate was flung oper
violently and the servant who hat
been watching the street burst in witt
the cry:
"Soldiers!"
The colonel, Winnie and Pundita ap
peared. For moment they believed
that Ramabai was going to guide then
to the secret gallery. But suddenl.
he raised his hand and stared boldl,
: at the gate. And by that sign Bruce
and the colonel understood; Ramaba
had taken up the dice to make hi
throw. The two men put their hand
to their revolvers and waited.
Soon the captain and his mel
came rushing in only to stop short a
sign from Ramabai.
Captain" he began, is Durga Rar
a good master? Does he keep hi
,, promises"
The captain turned and eyed hi
men.
Does he look out for your welfar
as an honest man should, or does b
simply use you as his tools and dupes
e For what does he want the soldiery
}, To guard the weak and the oppresse
/ from the strong, or to fortify himse
in such manner that it will be cas-
for him to take what money he wishe
and fee? Is he a good master VIII
persecutes for his own ends?"
"Ramabai," said the captain, "spea
out your thought frankly and clearly
Thus challenged, Ramabai sait
Join our side, and tomorrow at daw
we will strike blow for the bette
ment of Allaha"
"And what of the old man in Il
dungeon" dryly.
"Wait till we overthrow Umbal
| and the cowardly Council; then v
| shall speak of him. Well?" proud
| and fearlessly
| "Ramabai" replied the captain,
| too, will be frank. | will be loyal
| the hand that pays me best, for | a
| not an Allahan by birth. l am
| mercenary | have said it,"
| BE with me on the morrow and
promise out of my own chest will
| pay you your arrears and earne
money for the future. On the 9th
hand, what will you gain by taking
prisoners to Umballa?"
| my lords word Is known. | n
self will take charge Of the affairs
the palace and Umballa shall go
| the burning CHATS. will announce
him that l found you not. When y
| arrive at the palace you will fl
| everything in readiness. But till y
come l dare not lift hand"
i And at that moment he meant eve
II word he said Ramabai was the Ri
est man in Alfalfa He turned ag;
to his men, to find that they VIZ
ready to follow Ramabai anywht