The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-07-24
klNG-g1fe kdYBER RIFLES
! TAorraroe gr&h@ezave ,
sA1 TALBOT nUNDY

Darya Khan did not go so fast. As
he forced his way forward a man
passed him up the wooden box that
King had used to stand on; he seized
1t In both hands with grin and jest
and went to stand behind King and
lsmail, in line with the lashless null
lab, facing Yasmini Yasmini smiled
at them all as II they were actors in
her comedy. and she well pleased with
them.
Look ye!" howled the mullah.
Look We and look well, for this is
to be one of u.s."
King felt ten thousand eyes burn
holes In his back, but the one pair of
eyes that Knocked him from the bridge
was more disconcerting.
Turn, Kurram Khan! Turn that
all may see!"
Feeling like man on a spit, he re-
volved slowly. BY the time he had
turned once completely around, be-
sides knowing positively that one of
the two bracelets on her right arm
was the one he had worn, or else it's
extra copy, he knew that he was not
meant to die yet; for his eyes could
work much more swiftly than the
horn-rimmed spectacles made believe.
He decided that Yasmini meant he
should be frightened, but not much
hurt just yet.
So he ceased altogether to feel
frightened and took care to look more
scared than ever.
who paid the price of thy admis-
sion?" the mullah howled, and King
cleared his throat, for he was not
quite sure yet what that might mean.
Speak, Kurram Khan" Yasmini
purred, smiling her loveliest. Tell
them whom you slew"
King turned and faced the crowd,
raising himself on the balls of his
feet to shout, like man facing thou
sands Of troops on parade. He nearly
gave himself away, for habit had him
unawares. A native hakim, given the
stoutest lungs in all India, would not
have shouted in that way.
"Cappitin Attleystan King!" he
roared. And he nearly jumped out of
his skin when his own voice came
rafting back at him from the roof
overhead.
Yasmini chuckled as little rill will
was devilish. It seemed to say there
were traps not far ahead.
Where was he slain?" asked the
mullah
I'm the Khyber Pass" said King.
I'm the Khyber Pass" the roof
whispered hoarsely, as If aghast at
such d-bloodedness.
Nov give proof" said the mullah.
Words at the gate-proof in the cav
ern! Without good proof, there is
only one way out of here!"
Proof" the crowd thundered ''The
proof"
Proof! Proof! Proof" the roof
echoed.
There was no need for Darya Khan
to whisper. Kings hands were be-
hind him, and he had seen what he
had seen and guessed what he had
guessed while he was turning to let
the crowd look at him. His fingers
closed on human hair.
Nay, it is short!" Kissed Darya
Khan. Take the two ears. or hold
it by the jawbone! Hold it high in
both hands!"
King obeyed, without looking at the
thing. and Ismail. turning to face the
crowd, rose on tiptoe and filed his
lungs for the effore Of his life.
"The head Of Cappitin Attleystan
King-inf1del-k arrfcer!
he howled.
"Good!" the crowd beloved. Good.
Throw Il"
The crowds roar and the roofs
echoes combined in pandemonium.
Throw it to them, Kurram Khan"
Yasmini purred from the bridge end,
speaking as softly and as sweetly as
If she coaxed child. Yet her voice |
carried. He lowered the head, but in
stead Of looking at 1t he looked upl
at her. He thought she, was enjoying
herself and his predicament as he had
never seen any one enjoy anything.
Throw it to them, Kurram Khan"
she Durred cit is the cusfonoi"