Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-10-15

them in the hollow of his haLu Dur
ing the weeks of his absence in Amer
lea his spies had hung about them like
bees about honey. They were the fowl
ers shared.
Umballa proceeded along the corri-
dor to a flight of stairs leading be-
meath the palace floor. Here the SOL
diers were agreeable enough; they
had reason to be. Umballa gave them
new minted rupees for their work.
many rupees. For they knew secrets.
Before the door of dungeon Umballa
paused and listened. There was no
sound. He returned upstairs and
sought chamber near the harem.
This he entered, and stood with folded
arms near the door.
"Ah. Colonel Sahib!"
"Umballa?" Colonel Hare. bearded.
unkempt, tried to stand erect and face
his enemy. You black scoundrel!'
"Durga Ram. sahte. Words. words;
the patter of rain on stone roofs. Our
king lives no more. alas!"
You liei"
He is dead. Dying, he left you this
throne-you, white man, knowing
it was legacy Of terror and confu'
sion. You knew. Why did you re-
turn? All. pearls and sapphires and
emeralds! What? offer you this
throne upon conditions"
"And those conditions I have re-
fused"
You have. yes, but now" umballa
smiled Then he suddenly blazed forth:
frl NJ,
this throne while live? 1t is mine.
was his heir
Then why didn't you save him from
the leopard? I'll tell you why. You
expected to inherit on the spot. and
spoiled the game. Is that not true?
And what If admit it?" trucu-
lently.
"Umballa. or Durga Ram. II you
wish. listen Take the throne. What's
to hinder you? You want it. Take 1t
and let me begone."
Yes. want 1t; and b. all the gods
OF Hind I'll have it-but safely. All!
1t would be fine to proclaim myself
when mutiny and rebellion stalk about.
Am / pig to play game like that!
Tch! Tch!" He clicked his tongue
against the roof of his mouth in de-
rision. No; l need buckler till all
this roily water subsidies and clears.
"And then, some fine night, Hare
Sahib's throat? l am not afraid OF
death. Umballa. have faced 1t too
many times. Make an end of me at
once or leave me to rot here. my an
swer will always be the same. will
not become a dishonorable tool You
tat1v 10
No; I repeat. I will free all slaves. abol-
/ Ish the harems, the buying and selling
OF flesh; | will make man of every
poor devil OF coolie who carries
stones from your quarries."
Umballa laughed. Then remain
here like dog while put your golden
| daughter on the throne and become
what the British Raj calls prince con
sort. She'll rebel. know; but have
way" He stepped outside and closed
| the door.
"Umballa?"
"Well?"
Kit. my daughter? Good God. what is
she doing here when | warned herr?
Hare tugged furiously at his chains.
"Durga Ram, you have beaten me.
State your terms and will accept
them to the letter Kit, my
beautiful Kit, In this hell hole!"
"Ah, but | don't want you to accept
now. was merely amusing myself"
The door shut and the bolt shot home.
Hare fell upon his knees. My head.
my head, Dear God. save me my rea'
SOM"
The moment Kathlyn arrived at the
animal cages OF her father she called
for Ahmed.
My father?"
"Ah. memsahlb. they say he Is dead,
know not. One night-the second
after we arrived-he was summoned
to the palace. He never came back"
They have killed HIM"
Perhaps. They watch me. too; but
/ act simple. We wait and see"
Kathlyn rushed across the ground
intervening between the animal cages
and the bungalow. There was no one
in sight. She ran up the steps =.
to be greeted inside by the suave Um
balla.
Your" her hand flying to her bosom
Il, Miss Hare" He salaamed. with
a sweeping gesture of his hands.
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