The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-10-23
in London. If my death occurs before
You reach that city turn about and "a

In London. If my death occurs before
you reach that city turn about and e.
to your home and keep the crystal
Things We're beginning to sound pref.
ty grewsome to Barclay by this time
and he began to wish he were well
out of the palace. However. to all
outward appearances he was still as
calm and unneryed as if he were talk
ing to an ordinary companion in his
club in New York, and his answer was
made in perfectly cool, calm voice
Yes, your highness. And the mis-.
sion | am to fulfiu?"
Simply deliver this to the high Off.
cial. He will understand. 1t benrs n
message, a last appeal. Take it."
The rance thrust the tiny box into
Barclays hand and he turned to 60.
Hide it, she Kissed sharply. and
his fingers tucked it into his waist
coat pocket and fumbled there, finally
bringing forth cigarette box and
some matches.
The rance shot swift glance Of ap-
proval at this maneuver on Barclays
part. for the roof was filing now with
a gay company of guests and attend
ants.
Farewell, stranger" smiled the ra-
nee YEARLY
"The name, highness-you forgot the
name of the official in London" re-
minded Barclay in an undertone.
The rance leaned forward and beck
oned him nearer
Let me Whisper she murmered.
Barclay inclined his head to listen to
a name that caused his eyes to fash
excitement and incredulity.
"As your highness dictates" he said
when she had finished.
Many curious eyes regarded the
handsome face and well knit form of
the American who had just received
a confidence from a noble rance of
India.
John Barclay salaamed once more
and turned to leave the roof. AS he
looked around for the Hindu guide
who had conducted him from Temple
Hill to the roof he heard sounds of
confusion. There was a stifed shrek
from the RANGES silken canopy, and
even as Barclay gazed doubtfully In
the direction of the commotion dark
hands drew the silken curtains close
~ about the divan where the rance
had been sitting.
Then for moment Barclay felt that
bis fears were TO be realized and that
be was caught In q most dangerous
trap. The feeling passed in a moment.
however, for Barclay was a man of
iron nerve and, moreover, realized that
he was too important an American
citizen to make 1t safe for them to
endanger his life. In an instant he
was his cool, calm SELF
He glanced around on the gayly
dressed men and women who had en-
tered but few minutes previous and
at the obsequious attendants. All stood
mute and impassive as statues.
What has happenedF" asked Bar
clay of sharp featured Brahmin.
Our rance is Dead" said the man
suavely.
Il must see. Let me pass. am
agent for the rance"
Barclay stopped suddenly at the look
In the mans face, a look Of malig-
nant hatred and bitter suspicion.
murderous look that brought the Amer
leans hand to his hip pocket
LET me passI must be convincedr
commanded Barclay, and his revolver
cleared the way for him.
He dashed through the silken cur
tains Of the RANGES canopy and stop
ped short at what he saw.
The form Of the beautiful woman
was stretched on the ground before her
divan. Her dark eyes stared sightless
" upward, and from the pale silks of
her bosom there shone the jeweled
handle of dagger.
Barclay stood with barred head for a
moment, and then without interference
from the silent gathering on the roof
he found the narrow stairway that led
to the deserted garden and so finally
came to Temple Hill and the road to
Bombay.
When he reached London be found
that the high official to whom the
rance had directed him had been foul
ly murdered at the very hour in which
the rance had met her death.
Now the ranee's crystal belonged to
Barclay, and when he had 1t appraised
he learned that it was diamond of
the purest water.