The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1915-04-30

of the way we can go by rail, but part
Of the road we must travel either on
foot or by litter If we CO."
"Of course we are going" said Ruth.
Il most earnestly beg of you to stop
here" said the baronet. "YOu don't
know your India as do, and even if
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 at 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 expedi-
ton as rash and plainly stated that
should the British government get
wind of such a search immediate steps
would be taken to see that the Ameri-
cans Went no Turtnef.
Dorr was unconvinced and finally in
timated that Faversham 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
I can to save the young woman from
actual peril" he remarked. Il by no
means promise to give you active as
sistance.'
'1'll 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 as gen
eral guide and Instructor.
On their arrival at the tecming city
they were soon installed'in an inn out
side the center and some distance up
the river.
Faversham wasted no time in look
ing up certain people he knew among
the natives and was in a position to
inform them that he had 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. "1n the crowds we ought to be
SAFE"
Faversham tried to convince him
that this was not so, but Dorr insisted
SO strongly that the Englishman yield.
ed to his better judgment.
"I'u try to get you within sight of
the idol anyway" he consented. But
must insist that you obey my fnstruc-
tons implicitly. Otherwise we shall
all get into trouble and you will effec-
tually kill any chance you may have
of attaining your purpose ~:
The result of this was that Ruth
late that night was wakened by Sir
Donald'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 had
not gone we'll. -.
"It's true" Faversham told her.
"Dorr couldn't resist what he thought
was q chance to get hold of the idol
He was captured, but l 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.
At the conclusion he remarked, ''They
won't harm him, but If it gets out that
he really intended to steal that image
we shall have trouble"
"But he is prisonerv she cried.
"True," said Faversham wearily. II
didn't dare stay. If they had got me,
too, you wouldn't have known anything
about what had happened for days
possibly"
"But you will save himY' she pleaded.
In her appealing beauty Ruth stirred
Sir Donald to the depths. He knew
now that he loved her. s....
For love Of her he would do what he
knew might mean his own death, but
he was helpless in the grip Of this
sweet passion.
Yet he would not go without at least
a word of hope and promise.
"I'll get him." he told her. 1T will
be hard job, but III save him for
your sake, Ruth, and when I come
back with HIM
She leaned forward, gloriously con-
tent that John was to be brought back
to her.
She did not read Alright the express
sion in the mans eyes. She threw out
her little hands to him joyously.
"I'll always love you If you will.''
she whispered.
He stared dizzily, and she withdrew
before he could put out his hands or
say word. Five minutes later he
was hastily making his way back to-
ward the temple.
To his dying day Sir Donald was
never able to explain just how he found
John Dorr nor how he extricated him
from the bowling mob who yelled for
the life Of the impious man who had
laid foul hands on their god.
His own recollection was of desper-
ately using his tongue. his muscles and
his knowledge Of the usual intric6cies
of native city.
John himself could give no clear de-
scription. but confessed that he had
given up hope of rescue when Sir Don
aid appeared as by magic.
1t was dawn when they reached the
hotel. and Ruth was on the balcony