Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-05-13
The Winds of the
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he was very sure Of YasmlnPs re-
source.
Again the German began to pace
the room. now with hts r-nds be
hind him. noY with folded arms
now with his chin down 10 mis-
breast, and now with a high chin
as he seemed on the verge Of reach
ing some determination. And then
Yasmini began 10 loose the food
Of her resources, that Ranjoor
Singh might make use Of what he
chose; she was satisfied to leave
the German in the Sikh's hands and
to squander aid at random.
Men began to come In, one at a
time. They would whisper to Ran
joor Singh, and hurry out again
Some Of them would whisper 10
Yasmini over in the window, and
she would give them mock messages
to carry, very seriously. Babu Sta
Ram was stirred out of a medita-
tive coma and sent hurrying away
to come back after a little while
and wiring his hands. He ran over
to Yasmini.
at is awful" he walled. Soon
there will be no troops left with
which to quell Mohammedan up
rising. All loyal troops are leav-
ing. and none but disloyal men are
left behind. The government is
mad and l am veree much afraid"
Yasmini quieted him, and Ran
joor Singh pretended to be busy
with other messengers, noted the
effect of the babu's wall on the
German. He judged the change Of
mind" had gone far enough.
I'VE should lose time by follow
ing my regiment" he said at last.
There are now FIVE more regl-
ments ready to mutiny. and they
will come to me whenever l send
for them"
The Germans blue eyes gazed
into the Sikh's brown ones very
shrewdly and very long. His hand
sought the neighborhood of his hip
and dwelt there a moment longer
than the Sikh thought necessary.
Il have decided we must hurry"
he said. II will show you what I
have to show. l will not be taking
chances. You must bring bring a
messenger. and he must go for
your mutineers while you stay
there with me. When We are there,
you will be in my power until the
regiment comes; and when they
come I will surrender to you. Do
you agree?"
Then choose your messenger.
Choose a man who will not try to
play tricks-a man who will not
warn the authorities, because II
there is any slip. any trickery. 1
will undo in one second all that
has been done!"
So Ranjoor Singh conferred with
Yasmini over the two great bowls
of flowers that always stand in her
big window; and she suppressed
squeal of excitement while she
watched the German resume his
pacing up and down.
Take Sta RAM" she advised.
Ranjoor Singh scowled at the
babu.
THAT fat bellyful of fear" he
growled. Il would rather take
pig"
AL the same, take Sta RAMS
she advised.
So the babu was reused again
Que of a comfortable snooze, and
Yasmini whispered 10 him some
thing that frightened him so much
that ha trembled like a man with
palsy.
Il am a married man with chill
dren." he expostulated.
Il will be kind to your widow"
purred Yasmini.
81 will not go!" cowed the babu.
Put him in the cobra room. ."
she commanded, and some maids
came closer to obey.
81 will go!" said Sta Ram. But
oh, my God, a man should receive
pecuniary recompense far greater
than legendary ransom, / shall
not come back alive! l know l
shall not come back alive!"
who cares, babuI?" asked Vas
mini
"True!" said Sta Ram. "This Is
land of Observation-Disclosures and
with my big stomach l am often
last. l am veree full of fear!"
I'VE shall need food" interposed
the German. Water Will be there,
but we had better have sufficient
food with us for two nights"
Yasmini gave a sharp order. and
several OF her maids ran out OF the
room. Ten minutes later they re-
turned with three baskets, and
gave one each TO the German, to
Ranjoor Singh, and to Sta Ram.
Sta Ram opened his and peered in.
The German opened his, looked
pleased and closed the lid again.
Ranjoor Singh accepted his nj its
fact value, and did not open IT.
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