Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-05-01
The Winds OF the World

splintered. He dropped it, and the
torch-light ceased, leaving him
dazed, but not so dazed that he
did not hear a man sneak up and
carry the splintered club away. He
followed after the man, for he
knew now that he was in a mar
row passage and no man could gel
by him to attack from behind.
But again the torch-light sought
him out. Halfway to the foot of
steep stairs that he could dimly
outline he helated, for advance
against hidden pistol-fire and daz-
zling light was futile.
Look" said the same soft,
woman's voice. Look, sahibl See,
Ranjoor Singh! the hooded death!
See the hooded death behind you'll"
1t was not her command that
made him look. He knew better
than to turn his head at an unseen
woman's bidding in the dark. But
he heard them hiss, Ind he turned
to see four cobras come toward
him, with the front third of bodies
raised from the floor and their
! hoods extended. He saw that a
panel in the wooden wall had slid,
and the last snakes tail was yet
inside the gap. There was not need
of a man to slip between him and
the door,
There are more in the wall. Ran
joor Singh! Will they follow thee
upstairs? See, they come! Step
swiftly. for the hooded death is
swift
The light went out again, and his
ears were all he had to warn him
of the snakes approach-ears and
Imagination. Swift as we'll
launched charge of light cavalry,
he leaped for the stairs and took
them four at a time. He reached
the top one sooner than he knew
it. The torch flashed in his eyes,
and he saw a pistol-mouth just be-
yond armreach.
Stand, Ranjoor Singh" said a
voice that he felt sure he recog-
nized. His eyes began to search
beyond the light for glimpses of
him outline.
Back, Ranjoor Singh, Back to
the right-toward that door, In,
through tHdl QOOT-SO!
He obeyed, since he knew now
with whom he had to deal. There
was no sense at all in taking liber-
ties with Yasmini. He stepped into
a bare, dark, teak-walled room, and
she followed him and she had
scarcely closed the door at her
back before another door opened
atthe farther end, and two of her
maids appeared, carrying candle
lamps
What do you want with me?"
demanded Ranjor Singh.
Nay Did | invite the sahib? -"
Il came about a murderer who
entered by that door through which
l came"
ITO pay him the reward, per-
haps?" she asked impudently.
us this thy house," asked Ran
joor Singh
This is the House-of-the- Eight
Half-brothers, sahib."
This is a hole where murderers
hide! A man of mine was slain in
the street below. and the murderer
came in here. Where is he now? p"
He and the bigger fool who fol
lowed him." said Yasmini. posing
herself like nodding blossom and
smiling like the promise OF new
love. as she paused 10 be insolent
and let the insolence sink home.
ARE at my mercy"
RanjoOr Singh did not answer.
but she could draw no amusement
from his silence, for his eve was
unafraid
II am from the north, where the
quality OF mercy is through weak
ness" she smiled sweetIy.
Who asks mercy? ! was seen
and heard to enter There will he
"a hundred seeking me within an
houri"
"Sahib. within two hours there
will be five thousand around this
house, yet none will seek TO enter,
And they will find no murdere