The Denison review., 1915-03-10

| I'avcrsham explained. IN the first
, place. you don't understand amy native
| tongue, and in the second place the
British government doesn't lool1' with
favor on strange and unattached En-
ropeans stumbling about among the
natives.
If you leave it to me l think
not only can ascertain the exact place
where this fellow comes from. but the
temple where the idol belongs
Several days passed. during which
Sir Donald was busy among old ac-
quaintances, leaving John and Ruth to
their own devices.
They occupied their time in sight
seeing. At last Faversliam came into
dinner one evening with 4 smile Oh his
face.
"l've found your man and learned
something of the history of the image"
he said.
And we can get it back:" Ruth in
CURED promptly.
Sir Donald shook his head gently.
Not so fast young lady"
"But that is what we came for" she
went On.
The fact of the matter is this" said
the baronet-"that image WAS stolen
truth 1t is the tutelary deity OF Il
small city on the river Bhala and it is
about us sacred an article as you could
pick up. The people of that city think
that since they have lost their image
the god is angry with them. and for
some years they have quietly conduct
ell Il search for it,
And this man viii take it to BhaIa?"
demanded Ruth.
He has already started. under
stand from some of the natives
know"
''Thcn what are we to do?' demand
ed John.
"Bha!a is some hundreds of miles up
country" Sir Donald continued. Part
Of the way we can so by rail, but pap
Of the read we must travel either on
foot or by itter-if we GO
"Of course we are going" said Ruth.
q most earnestly beg of you to stop
here said the baronet. "lou don't
know your India as do. and even il
we accomplished our purpose we should
run double risk in getting back
They argued the matter for some
time. but Ruth refused to consider re-
treat ut this stage. and John. Impress
ed though he was by the others evil
dent sincerity, could not help feeling
that as an outsider he did not under
stand the necessity Of the recovery Of
the plans.
When he and Sir Donald talked it
over alone the baronet was even more
insistent.
He characterized the whole cxpedi-
ton as rash and plainly stated that
should the British government get
wind of such :; search immediate steps
would be taken to see that the .Ameri
cans went no further.
Dorr was unconvinced and finally IN
timated that Favcrsha,n had not meant
what he said when he had volunteered
to help them
Sir Donald shrugged his shoulders
and admitted himself helpless in the
face of such arguments.
"At least can go along and do what
can 10 save the yeung woman trcIn
actual peril" he remarked. Il by no,
means promise to give you active as
sistance."
"lll be satisfied if You'll just tip me
off once in awhile" John responded.
They made the journey to Bhala
safely, Ruth and John viewing the
novel sights that met their eyes on
every hand, Sir Donald acting rs gen.
eral guide and instructor.
On their arrival at the teeining city
they were soon installed III an inn out
side the center and some distance up
the river.
Favcrsllam wasted no time in look
ing up certain people he knew among
the natives ana WAS iii Il position TO
inform them that he lad not only dis
covered the temple. but that he had
learned that the idol had been recov-
cred and would be restored to its prop
er shrine with due ceremony and great
festivity.
THAT will be just our chance" said
John. IN the crowds we ought to be
safe"
l'aversham tried to convince him
that this was not so, but Dorr insisted
so strongly that the Englishman yield
ed to his better Judgment.
IN try TO get you' within sight of
the Idol anyway" he consented But
must insist that you obey my. instruc-
tons implicitly. Otherwise we shall
all get into trouble and you will etfec-
tually kill any chance you may have
of attaining your purpose. y
The result of this was that Ruth
late that night was wakened by Sir
Dona!d's rapping on her door.
When she had flung on some clothes
and opened she saw from his manner
and his; disheveled dress that all mad
not gone well.
Its true" I'aversham tod her.
.'Dorr couldn't resist what lie thought |
was a chance to get hold of the idol. |
He was captured, but managed TO |
get away by my knowledge of the |
language and the help of some natives |
who are friendly to me-"
For the moment Ruth was speech |
less; then she inquired for the particu-
lars. and Sir Donald gave them briefly. |