Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-17

of agony was drawing near, and had
no special desire to see the celebration
in the streets. But, then, both Mas
casenhas and 1 were by this time
known characters to the inhabitants
of Macao. We were, of course, still in
the disguise of Arab traders, which we
had assumed for the sake of safety
several weeks before. and our Chinese
friends would have thought it strange
if We had not shown due curiosity
about the Hindoo/ festival.
had noticed that during the last few
days steady stream OF Indians mad
them were rajas of the greatest rank
and high-caste Brahmas; men who
were polluting their caste by crossing
the ocean, by going from India to
Macao.
Even if these men knew of the pro-
posed human sacrifice. l could not per-
suade myself that the slaughter of
Goanese half-caste. though they con-
sidered him q traitor to Doorgha. would
be sufficient reason to explain the ar
rival of these great dignitarles OF the.
Hindu church and state.
There was something else i'll the
wind. OF that was surei had become
doubly sure of it the night before. For
l had received a cipher cable from
headquarters which informed me of a
strange happening that had occurred
several weeks before. but had only Just
come to the ears of the British author-
ties.
According to this cable, native Mo-
hammedan ruler of one of the greatest
Indian states had disappeared. This
particular raja was known for his utter
loyalty to the British. He had been on
a shooting trip on the northeastern
border of India; had crossed the border
into the Chinese province of Annoy and
then had disappeared. Doubtless he
had been kidnapped and the secret serv-
ice had found out that the last person
II h hn hal ftn
Manchu Amban of Annoy. No further
trace had been discovered.
When | received the cable ! con-
WINGED myself that Yuan kee, the force
which constituted the connecting link
between the new oriental intrigue and
the God of the Invincible Strong Arms
whom had fought in former days, was
at the bottom of the kidnapping. l did
not then go so far as to believe that
the raj ia would be sacrificed on the altar
of Doorgha: that this was the real
reason for the presence of the many
Brahmans and high-castc Indian rulers
in Macao But something was in the
wind. And it was my duty to find out
what it was.
So the chief thing to do was to keep
a careful watch on the happenings in
the Hindoo uarter during the Doorgha-
Puja.
Thus. accompanied by the faithful
Mascasenhas. 1 followed the crowd 20
the Hindoo town. To the Chinese and
half-castes and Portuguese the occa-
sion was one of gay curiosity. They
thronged up to the Indian quarter,
laughing and chattering.
Mascasenhas and ] pushed along with
the crowd. We forced our way down
the Amirante road and were soon in the
heart of the Hindoo quarter. The scene
there was one OF jollity. Tents and am
bulant coffee-houseS were filled with
men and women in their holiday best.
Friend would meet friend and greet
each other with ali>the extravaganza of
the east. throwing themselves upon
each others breasts. at the same time
making the loud, smacking noise of
many kisses in the air.
Mild-manncred. suave and sleepy
eyed. they woulG burst into torrents of