The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1919-09-19


his presence, Ram looked up ut the
ceiling just as the leaves of trap
through which the body of Davis had
been dragged fell back into place
He bowed low to the image Of silva.
$50 perish the offenders Of the
gods"
From behind their grille where they
had been watching 1t all. the Hawk
and Spider grfnned at each other ap-
provingly. Then Morgan laughed,
9TH be cursed if he didn't put it
over" Selling the grating with his
hands he began shaking it, but it re-
sisted all his efforts. His voice arose
in anger, as he drew his revolver.
.Let Us out Of here quick, you old
fraud or Eli let daylight out of you. =
Carefully keeping 10 the side Of
the wall and beyond the range of the
others gun, Ram Chunder made his
reply.
The god has not yet directed your
release oh worthy protector of the
poor" Stadium stepped into the room.
''The Mena Sahib you called last
night, Master, has come again" he
announced The fakir again addressed
Morgan.
you little know the power of the
gods, oh foreign born The maiden
is here also. silva called" Cursing,
the Hawk cried.
Il don't know anything about your
r. Il hi huf
girl or the whole bunch of you will
have to reckon with me. You can do
what you like with the man. but"
Bring her in" commanded the
falir
We left Ethel and Ioost Singh go
ing down the street together. Ar
rived at the outer door the Hindu
knocked. whereupon Shallum opened
it, expressing his satisfaction as he
admitted them. Rainfaee, coming up
on run, found himself locked ont
and cast his eyes about as he mentally
decided upon his plan. Seeing build
ing close at hand in course of con-
struction with seaffolding surrounding
It and NJ one at Work, he at once
decided that hy means of the seat
folding he could get upon the roof Of
the next building. and from thence to
the top of the place inhabited by the
Hindu. off he went as fast as his
legs could take him to carry out his
plan.
Within his room. Ram Ghunder
bowed to the girl as she came in.
"You seek the aid and counsel of
Holy silva. maiden. pearl of beauty"
Straight up to him Ethel walked.
Il want Mr. John Davis. Is he
here?"
With nod Ram threw another
handful of incense into the brazier.
aud once more tire back of the room
became elouded with smoke. Three
times he struck a gong and from the
ceiling Il gigantic image of silva, the
lower part of which was carved to
represent drapery, slowly descended
through the smoke. Down upon a
dais Mt the end of the room II settled.
while Stadium running to 1t began
making mystic motions, while Ram
stepped to the wall opposite the graf
ing.
Before him was a graduated quad
rant of metal marked in places and
with a perpendicular reversible arm
which could be swung along the are
to points on either side. The skinny,
bonv hand of the fakir seized the ar
mature and began to move it. while
the other hand pointed at the idol.
.'BEHOLDw he cried
Slowly, silently the front of the
figure opened and John stood revealed
within. He was fastened to the back
of the image by an iron collar about
his neck, while iron bands bound his
waist, arms and legs; holding him
erect, rigid and motionless. His mouth
was still covered by the cloth. His
eyes were open, and he was appar-
emily conscious Of all that was taking
place. The voice of the girl arose in
great distress.
"John! Mereiful heaven What
have they doneY" She sprang toward
him, but Ram Selling her with a
strength that was astonishing in one
of his age, held her back.
@Yait He has not suffered yet.
silva is sometimes merciful. Per-
haps-a
Shallum. approaching. bowed low
"Oh, reverend and beloved Master
Your elixir of life lacks but one thing"
"Continup" commanded the fattir
rs the other paused. Stadium lifted
Il curious drinking cup.
"Thls. filed with blood from the
heart, drawn from beneath the left
breast Of a pure maiden and mixed
with the other ingredients will give
back your youth If holy silva Wills. -
Turning upon the girl, Ram pointed
10 her heart with a long finger
"Dost hear" he said Here's life
for my youth through thy blood -
Appalled,. she sarank back.
II cannot be.
For a moment he looked at her with
an evil smile then swung the arm
Of the quadrant and pressed # into
slot A. he did SO from eaeh door
of tire idol rows OF spikes which had
been lying fiat sprang out at right
angles to the door, pointing inward.
Should the front Of the idol now he
thor soon afterwards was found dead
upon her grave.