Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-05-08
CHAPTER XII.
(Continued.l

lCOntinued.1
Ihave seen all these BEFORE" he
said. "They are men of the north
and good enough fighters, / have
no doubt. But they are not what
asked for. How many of these are
trained soldiers7 Which of these
could swing the allegiance Of a sin
gle native regiment. 1t is time now
for proofs and deeds. The hour OF
talk is gone. Bring me a soldier!
These also say it is all talk, sa-
hfb-words, words, words! They
say they will wait until the feet
that has been spoke of comes TO
lombard the coast For the pres
ent there are none to rally round.
yet you limited at soldiers!"
said the German. "You limited at a
regiment ready to revolt"
AYE, sahib! 1 have repeated
what these say. When the soldier
comes there shall be other talk
See yonder smoke, bahadur?"
Now, then, 1t was time to notice
things, and the German gazed over
garden and Delhi walls and roofs
at what looked very much more
important than it really was. 1t
looked as II at least q street must
be on fire.
He made that holocaust, did the
soldier!"
Yasmini's manner was of blend
ed awe and admiration.
HE was suspected of disloyalty.
He entered that house to make ar
rangments for the mutiny of a
whole regiment of Sikhs, who are
not willing to be sent to fight
across the seas. He was followed
to the house, and SO, since he would
not be taken, he burned all the
houses. Such a man is he who
comes presently. Did the sahib
hear the mob roar when the flames
burst out at evening? No? A pity!
There were many soldiers in the
mob, and many thousand discon-
tented people!"
She went close to the window, to
be between the German and the
| light, and let him see her silhouet-
ted in an attitude of hope awaken
ing. She gazed at the billowing
smoke as If the hope of India were
embodied in 1t.
cit was thus in 'fifty-seven," she
said darkly. Men began with
| balrnings!"
Brown eyes, behind the German,
exchanged glances, for the east is
chary of words when 1t does not IN
derstand. The German nodded, for
he had studied history and was
sure he understood.
"Sahib hail" said a sudden wom-
ans voice, and Yasmini started as
| If taken by surprise. There were
those in the room who knew that
when taken by surprise she never
started; but they were not Ger
man.
HE is here!" she whispered; and
! the German showed that he felt q
| crisis had arrived. He settled down
to meet it like soldier and man
"Salaam!" purred Yasmini in her
silveriest voice, as Ranjoor Singh
strobe down the middle of the room
with the dignity the west may soma
day learn.
"See!" whispered Yasmini. HE
trusts nobody. He brings his own
guard with him!"
BY the door at which he had en-
| tered stood a trooper of d. Squad
ron, Outram's Own, no longer In
uniform, but dressed as a Sikh ser
want. The mans arms were fold
ed on his breast. The rigidity,
straight stature, and attitude ap-
pealed to the German as the sight
of sea did to the ancient Greeks.
"Salaami" said Ranioor Singh.
The German noticed that his eyes
glowed, but the rest of him was all
calm dignity.
I'VE have met before" said the
German, rising. you are the Sikh
with whom l spoke the other night
the Sikh officer-the squadron
leader!"
"Ja!" said Ranjoor Singh; and
the one word startled the German
so that he caught his breath,
Isle sperchen Deutsch?"
ga wohlr
The German muttered something
half under his breath that may
have been meant for compliment to
Ranjoor Singh, but the risaldar-
major missed it, for he had stepped
up to the nearest of the northern
gentlemen and confronted him.
There was a great show of looking
in each others eyes and muttering
under the breath some word and
counter-word. Each made sign
with his right hand, then with his
left. that the German could not see,
and then Ranjoor Singh stepped
sidewise to the next man.
Man by man, slowly and with
care, he looked each man present in
the eyes and tested him for the