The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-01
.HIRA SINGH
-
BBS
MERRILL !
BY
TALBOT MUNDY

= No tell you what have
- fhou,- said Ranjoor Singh.
sa8ho ssopsd IN his inner pocket
Z $50, that he brought out
saatiy folded, sheltering 1t
~ rain under his cape.
"a he, "is signed by the
CAPTAIN and mate OF that
sfsemer. II IL . receipt for
~. 5s1S money, to be taken and d.
~ eouslly between you-men-
~ s. name-and them-men-
siso .by name, on condition
r. ~ ~ shiu be sunk and we be
~. y n YOU will sign the paper
III ztses-abo~e their signatures-it
2Ss sntitle you to one-thfrd OF all
~ money. They would neither.
" them dare to refuse to share
- you!"
mi il l refuse to sign" ask
IL furepdheim, making q great
ssass wrench to free his wrists.
RI fhilfng.
sfse suggestion is yours" said
.Sesoor Singh. "You have only
S own judgment for a guide
- I sign it, will you let me go!'
I'D said Ranjoor Singh. "but
3aill not burn you alive II you
6Sisa Here is a fountain-pen. Your
~ shall be loosed when you are
kesfy."
h T5rendheim nodded, so went
and cut his hands loose; and when
i INA chafed his wrists for min
nte 81 two he was able to write on
INV shoulder, bending forward
and Ranjoor Singh watching like
a hawk lest he tear the paper.
But he made no effort to play
tricks.
When Ranjoor Singh had folded
the paper again he said: Those
two Turks quite understood that
Won we're to be asked to sign as
well In fact, II there is any mis-
han they intend to lay all the
blame on you. But it is to their
interest as much as yours to keep
us from being captured
"You mean I'm to help you to
escape?" asked Tugendheim.
Exactly" said Ranjoor Singh.
"Now that you have signed, l am
willing to bargain with you. We
intend to find Wassmuss."
Tugendheim pricked up his ears
and began to look almost willing.
I'VE have heard of this Wass-
muss, and have taken quite a fan
\. CIV TO him. Your friends proposed
10 send us to the trenches, but we
I've already had too much of that
prk and we intend to find Wass-
Z t,uss and take part with him. Let
.ksour business be to obey me i'm
& clicitly and to help us reach Wass-
muss, and on the day we reach our
goal you shall 60 free with this
paper given back to you. Disobey
me, and you shall sample unheard-
Of methods of repentance! Do we
understand each Other?"
Il understand you!" said Tu-
gendheinl.
II, too, wish to understand" said
Ranjoor Singh.
1T is a bargain" said Tugend-
helm. But I noticed they did not
shake hands after European fash
ion, although l think Tugendheim
would have been willing. He was
hearty man in his way. given tc
bullying, but also to quick forget
fulness, and l will say this much
for him, that although he was ever
on the lookout for some way Of
u breaking his agreement. he kept il
loyalty enough while way was
n lacking. ] have met men / liked
Ness
II was growing by that time tc
e very nearly dawn. and the
n Gather did not improve. The rair
me down in squalls and sheets
~ I'd the wind screamed through it
and we were famished as we'll as
wet to the skin-all, that is to say
except Tugendheim, who had en-.
1oyed the shelter Of the hut. The
teeth Of many Of the men were
chattering. Yet we stood about fol
an hour or more, because it was
too dark and too dangerous tt
march over unknown ground.
suspect Ranjoor Singh did not dare
squander what little spirit the mer
had LETT; il they had suspected
him OF losing them in the darl
they might have lost heart alto.
gether.
But at last there grew q little
cold color in the sky and the sea
look on shade Of gray. Then Ran.
1oor singh told off the same foul
men who had first arrested him
10 guard our prisoner by day and
nignt, taking turns to pretend tc
De MS servant, with orders to give
instant alarm should his move
ments seem suspicious. After thai
Iugendheim was searched, but
nothing Of interest being found or
MN, MS money and various thing.
were given back.
Had he no pistol?" asked Ran.
5oor Singh.
i ies, said l, "but I took it wher
We pound and gagged him on the
steamer" And l drew it out ane
\ moved II, feeling proud, neve,
avlns had such a weapon-foi tn,
VI ss q British India is strict.
May did you not tell me?' HI
aso. and l was silent. Give i
~ said he, and l gave it up
g sxamined it, drew out the cart
h.;s and passed it to Tug.nd
EN-. It was three days before h,
Si 0Ae 10 Tugendheim and caused
thai % give me the pistol back.
.1A the men were impressed, ,nt
Rippl;n,