The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-10

| WOuQucu LuHC hight WAS lupOSSlDle.
| Mr.. CLARK hustled forward. In the
exuberance of his relief he forgot for
the moment that he knew or suspected
some dark and deadly things concern
| ing this very man. Just then he gave
heed only to the great outstanding
fact that Ali Singh's Intervention had
been simply providential. But for
him, but for the amazing influence
which he had exercised over the SEEM
ingly ungovernable multitude, every
man, woman and child in that small
community Of white people must have
| been massacred.
II want to thank you from the bot
tom of my heart in behalf Of the limo
cent people you have saved from a
cruel DEATH" he began, advancing
with outstretched hand and evidently
anxious to give the other every credit
for what he had done. 1--WE can talk
later about compensation and chat sort
of thing, and-er-you may be able to-
er-help in fxing-er-respo
The eonsufs gift Of glib speech fail
ed him when 1t became increasingly
manifest that he was being snubbed
decisively. Ali Singh ignored the prof
fered hand. He listened to Mr.. Clarks
eager words with an air of freezing in
difference. AS the last syllables died
away on the Americans Disconnected
lips Ali Singh drew himself up grand
ly, inclined his head in slight but
truly regal bow, turned on his heel and
strobe away as swiftly as he had
come.
"Well, now, what would you say to
that?' cried Mr.. Clark, in whose per-
picked mind anger was struggling with
gratitude. "Well, WELL" he continued,
trying to pass off an awkward situa-
ton, Eat any rate, that man saved our
lives! So now, boys, let's give him
three rousing cheers"
The response was well meant, though
hardly so vigorous in volume as would
have been the case were Ali Singh's
attitude less ungracious. Nevertheless
the men cheered, and the women join
ed in with more enthusiasm, since they
had necessarily missed some part of
the curious little episode which sue
ceeded the blare and thunder of the
battle.
ALI Singh must have heard the cheer
ing, but he did not look around. His
tall figure was already well on the way
toward the city. There was sinister
element in the infexible purpose be-
trayed by his every movement. Many
among the onlookers confessed after
ward that the mere sight Of a mans
swift, undertaking retreat after having
come so OPPORTUNITY to their help was
not the least disturbing feature of an
incident rife with strangely dramatic
suggestiveness. Indeed, curious ST.
lence fell on the little crowd, 81
lence which was broken only by the
groans of the wounded and the gesps
of the dying.
by Jove! Fancy thatv' muttered
Major Cameron, seemingly talking to
himself. And l nearly shot the
blighterv'
The Englishman's exclamation served
as comic relief The tension was dis
PEELED A food of excited talk broke
loose
"You can tell your people to go home
now" went on the major, patting the
consul reassr , ly on the back. Han
Iloi will rem. quiet for another TWEEN
ty years. If you like I'll get my Chinks
to round up a gang Of coolies and have
these swine buried A jerked thumb
indicated the dead men numbering the
lawn and roadside. They'll be glad
of the job and can pay themselves by
looting the dear departed. If you are
wise, Clark, you'll leave that young
assistant Of yours to look after mat
tiers here and come with me to the
club, where we can get a bath and q
snack. I'm feeling peckish. Haven't
had bite since early breakfast"
Mr.. Clark, who was old enough to
be conscious of reaction after the
terrific strain Of the last hour, Joined
his friend as soon as he had locked
up his desk.
Making his way with difficulty
through the crowd Of residents, many
Of whom wanted to wiring his hand
Ala thoAhAuiACSSy Willie OlucIS WcTc
anxious to discuss the days extraordi-
nary events, he entered the pleasant,
shady room which few short minutes
earlier he imagined he would never
see again. Its familiar contents look
cd strange In his eyes. 1t was as
though he had Come back home, safe
and sound. after a long journey
through savage lands.
There on the table lay the unfinished
letter to Enrol Manning!
Enrol Manning, confidential diplo-
matte agent In the service Of the Unit
ed States government, seemed to be
much intrigued by cablegram from
China, which had been forwarded by
Washington to his fat in New York.
It was fine morning. Air like cham
payne and sunlit sky invited him to
the links, but Manning was seated at
q spacious desk in his comfortable H.
brary, and he sighed at the bit Of bad
luck which had Just compelled him to
remove a bag Of clubs from the wait
ing car and tell the chauffeur that his
services would not be needed at pres
emit.
Human nature exists even in the oc-
cult circle Of the secret service, and a
young man Of athletic frame might be
well pardoned for a momentary railing
~ajns+ the fortrre which substituted
an important Official inquiry for a