The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1915-05-29
my friend Ahmed is bitter" said


] am indeed bitter"
But who will suggest this animal
scheme to Umballa?" inquired Bruce.
T." Ramabai salaamed.
You will walk into the lions dem"
THE jackal's," Ramabai corrected.
God help me. If only had few
men," groaned the colonel, raising his
hands to heaven.
You will be throwing away your
life uselessly. Ramabai," said Kath-
Ign.
No. Umballa and will understand
each other completely"
"Ramabai," put in Ahmed, with his
singular smile, do you want a crime p"
For myself? No again. For nv
wife? That is a different matter"
And the man in the dungeon p"
ironically.
Ramabai suddenly faced the moon
and stared long and silently at the
brilliant planet. In his mind there was
conflict, war between right and ambi-
ton. He seemed to have forgotten
those about him, waiting anxiously for
him to speak.
"Ramabai," said Ahmed craftily, "at
word from you a thousand armed
men will spring into existence and
within twelve hours set Pundita on
yonder throne. Why do you hesitate
to give the sign?"
| Ramabai wheeled quickly.
Ahmed, silence! am yet an hon.
orable man. You know and / know
how far ! may go. Trifle with me no
more"
Ahmed salaamed deeply.
Think not badly of ME. Ramabai;
/ but am man of action, and it gals
me to wait"
Are you wholly unselfish?"
1t was Ahmed's turn to address mute
inquiries to the moon.
What is all this palaver about?"
Bruce came in between the two men
impatiently
God knows" murmured the colo
mel. "One thing l know. if we stand
here much longer Wen all spend the
rest of the night in prison."
! There was wisdom in this They
marched away at once, following the
path of the elephant and the loyal
| keepers. There was no pursuit. Sol
diers with purses filled with promises
are not overeager to face skilled
marksmen. The colonel and his fol-
lowers, not being aware of this indie
cision, proposed camping in the first
spot which afforded protection from
the chill of night, not daring to make
for the bungalow. certain that it was
being watched In this they were wise,
for a Gordon of soldiers with some
thing besides promises in their purses)
surrounded the camp on the chance
that its owner might hazard return
Now, Ramabai, what is your plan?"
asked the colonel, as he wrapped Kath
Ign in the howdah blanket I'VE are
to pose as animal trainers. Good
What next?"
"A trap and tunnel"
"Ah!"
There used to be one. A part of it
caved in four or five years ago. 1t
can be re-excavated in night The
men who do that shall be my own
Your animals will be used. To Kath
lyn Memsahib your pet leopards will
be as play fellows. She has the eye,
and the voice, and the touch. She
shall be yelled to her eyes, with bit
Of ochre on her forehead. Who will
recognize herr"
THE sight of you, Ramabai, will
cause him to suspect"
THAT remains in the air. There
must be luck in it"
If Umballa can be lured to drink
his pegs" Then, with an impatient
gesture, Ahmed added: Folly! What!
Umballa and the Council will not rec
ognize the Colonel Sahibs hair. the
memsahib's golden head?"
I'm the go-down of Lal Singh, the
cobbler, there are many things, even
wigs and false Boards" retorted Ra.
mabai slyly.
| Ahmed started, then laughed
you are right, Ramabai. So then
we have wigs and boards. Go on"
He was sitting cross-legged and rock.
ing back and forth.
AFTER the tricks are done Kathlyn
Memsahib will throw aside her veil
and stand revealed, to Umballa, to the
Council, to the populace."
Bruce jumped to his feet.
BE patient. Bruce Sahib," reproved
Ramabai. Il am not yet done"
Bruce sat down again, and Kathlyn
stole glance at his lean, unhappy
face. How she longed to touch it. to
smooth away the lines of care! The
old camaraderie was gone; there
seemed to be some invisible barrier
between them now.
"She will discover herself, then"
proceeded Ramabai. "Umballa will
at once start to order her capture,
when she shall stay him by crying
that she is willing to face the arena
lions. Remember, there will be trap
and a tunnel"
"And outsider" said Ahmed. still
! doubling.