Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-11-30


words at the gate-proof in the cav
ern! Without good proof, there is
only one way out of herer'
proof !" the crowd thundered.
proof !" the roof echoed.
There was no need for Darya Khan
to whisper. Kings hands were behind
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!' hissed Darya
Khan. "Take the two ears, or hold it
by the jawbone! Hold it high in both
| handSr"
King obeyed, without looking at the
crowd, rose on tiptoe and filled his
lungs for the effort of his life.
''The head of Cappitin Attleystan
King-infidel - kaf1ir British arrf-
J" he howled.
Good !" the crowd beloved. Good!
Throw itr'
The crowds roar and the roofs
Throw it to them, Kurram Khan"
Yasnini purred from the bridge end,
speaking as softly and as sweetly as
if she coaxed a child. ''It is the Gus
tom I"
Throw it! Throw itr the crowd
thundered.
Ho turned the ghastly thing until it
lay face-upward in his hands, and so
at last he saw it. He caught his breath,
and only the horn-rimmed spectacles,
that he had cursed twice that night,
saved him from self-betrayal. The
cavern seemed to sway as he looked
into the dead face of his brother
Charles.
If Yasmini detected his nervousness
she gave no sign.
'Throw it Throw it! Throw it!
The crowd was growing impatient.
Many men were standing, waving their
arms to draw attention to themselves.
Catching Yasmini's eyes, he knew it
had not entered her head that he might
disobey.
He looked past her toward the river.
There were no guards near enough to
prevent what he intended; but he had
to bear in mind that the guards had
rifles, and if he acted too suddenly one
of them might shoot at him unbidden.
Holding the head before him with both
hands, he began to walk toward the
river, edging all the while little TO-
ward the crowd as if meaning to get
nearer before he threw. He reached the
river and stood there.
His next move made every savage
who watched him gasp because of its
= very uneXpectedness. He held the
head in both hands, threw it far out
' into the river and stood to watch Il
: sink. Then, without visible emotion Of
D any kind, he walked back stolidly tt
: face Yasmini at the bridge end, witt
j shoulders a little more stubborn nov
: than they ought to be- and chin a shade
= too high, for there never was a maj
d who could act quite perfectly.
j "Thou fool! Yasmini whispere,
y through lips that did not move. Sh,
betrayed a flash of temper like
s trapped she-tiger's, but followed it in
- stantly with her loveliest smile.
: "Slay him |" yelled lone voice, tina
: was greeted by an approving murmur.
d "This is a darbar!" Yasmini an
b nounced in a rising, ringing voice. "M
e darbar, for 1 summoned it! Did
l. invite any man to speak?"
There was silence, as whipped ur
t willing pack is silent.
e "Speak, thou Kurram Khani Tel
l, them why!'' she said, smiling. No ma
IS could have guessed by the tone of he
s voice whether she was for him O
IL against him, and the crowd, beginnin
r, again to whisper. watched to see whlc
n way the cat would jump.
d He bowed low to her three times
l. very low indeed and very slowly, for h
had to think. Then he turned his bac
n and repeated the obeisance to th
crowd.
n "My brothers." he said and his voic
h became that of man whose advic
n has been asked, and who gives 1t fre,
70 ly. "Ye saw this night how one ma
Is entered here on the strength of an oat
10 and a promise. All he lacked we
10 proof. And had proof. Ye saw! Ho
q easy would it not have been, had
thrown that head to you, for traitt
to catch it and hide it in his clothe
and make away with it! He coul
have used it to admit to these caves
n why-even an Englishman, my brot
n ers! If that had happened, ye wou
m have blamed me"
as Yasmini smiled. Taking its cue fro
bit her, the crowd murmured, scarcely a
sent, but rather recognition of the h
d kim's adroitness. The game was n
o. won; there lacked touch to tip Il
ct scales in his favor, and Yasmini su
,e- piled it with ready genius.
ry ''The hakim speaks the truth! !" 81
a laughed.
King turned about instantly to ia
her. but he salaamed so low that 81
could not have seen his expression hi
So she tried.
ed 'If ye wish it, 1 will order hi
or tossed into Earth's Drink after tho
at other three"
ar Muhammad Amin rose, stroking
beard and rocking where he stood.
Ike "It is, the law!' he growled, a
'se King shuddered.
Ne sit is the law" Yasmini answered
ng' voice that rang with pride and
ne science, "that none interrupt me VIII
'eu I speak, For such ill-mannered or
au Earth's Drink hungers! Will you t.
'tn my authority, Muhammad Amin? Thi
7nC We! If that head had only fallen IL
III Muhammad Anim's lap, the null
ing might have smuggled in another m
al with it!'
uy' A roar of laughter greeted Il
thrust. Many men who had not laugh
ah. at tbe mulIab's first discomfit,
TO joined in now. Muhammad Amin
and fidgeted, meeting nobody's eye a
urn answering nothing.
of "So a coonos 70 mo uood" yoSn,