Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-10-12
To his surprise the rance spoke in

81
"Thank you for coming, stranger
she said In a rich, musical voice.
Il am at your highness' service" said
Barclay clumsily.
you know who | amp"
"The of Obdurah. She is said
to be the most beautiful as well as the
wisest among the women rulers of In
dia,' was Barclays quick response.
The shrugged her shapely
shoulders.
And the most miserable, they might
have added" she said bitterly.
Il am at your SERVICE" reminded
John Barclay.
THANK you"
The rance took from her girdle a
tiny box, a half inch square, of ivory.
From this she extracted something pale
and cleaning and held 1t toward him.
What Is this, stranger?" she asked.
John Barclay examined 1t. "a bit of
polished rock crystal" he announced.
Right" she murmured complacent-
ly. "Your errand for me is to take
this to a very high official in London.
You will be amply paid for the service.
If l should die before you reach your
destination you need go no farther.
Turn about and go home and keep the
crystal In memory of a most unhappy
ruler" The rance closed her eyes and
shuddered.
Il trust your fears are g%roundless,"
sad Barclay cheerfully.
tsDa,l,,ra nba iv,,axro xas x.ar
bring me luck" muttered the woman.
NOW, will you do this errand for me?"
Il will" said Barclay. without hest
tation.
"Goodl The reward for your accom-
pl'shment of this mission will be paid
In London. If my death occurs before
you reach that city turn about and go
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
club in New York, and his answer was
made In a perfectly cool, calm voice.
Yes, your highness. And the mis-
sion l am to fulfll?"
Simply deliver this to the high Off
cial. He will understand. 1t bears a
message. a last appeal. Take It."
The rance thrust the tiny box into
Barclays hand, aud he turned to go.
Hide it," she Kissed sharply, and
his fingers tucked 1t into his waist
coat pocket and fumbled there, finally
bringing forth a cigarette box and
some matches.
The rance shot a swift glance Of ap-
prevail ~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 flash
excitement and in%credulity.
"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 ranee's silken canopy, and
ever 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 a moment Barclay felt that
his fears were to be realized and that
he was caught in a 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 it 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 a few minutes previous and
at the obsequious attendants! All stood
mute and impassive as statues.
"What has h~appened?' asked Bar
clay of a sharp featured Brahmin.
''Our rance is dead" said the mar
suavely.
~ 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, a
murderous look that brought the Amer
leans hand to his hip pocket.
AT II SO