The Ely miner., 1921-11-11

TWO
Laidley Towers was en- fete. The
duchess, determined that every. con-
| ceivable stunt should be carried out
which would make for the entertain
ment of her guests, had spared no
pains to make the evening success.
The duke, bored to extinction, had
been five times routed out of his study
by his indefatigable spouse, and was
now, at the moment Hugh first came
in sight of the house, engaged in shak-
ing hands with tall, aristocratic-
looking Indian.
'How d'y do" he murmured va
cantly. "What did you say the dam
fellah's name was, my dear?" he whis-
pered in hoarse undertone to the
duchess, who stood beside him well
coming the distinguished foreigner.
'We're so glad you could come, Mr..
Ram Dar," remarked the duchess af-
fably. Everyone is so looking for
ward to your wonderful entertain
ment." Round her neck were the his
toric pearls, and as the Indian bowed
low over her outstretched hand, his
eyes cleaned for second.
1t had been the marquis of Laidley
himself who had suggested getting
| hold of this most celebrated perform
er, who had apparently never been
in England before. And since the
marquis of Laidley's coming -of-age
was the cause of the whole evenings
entertainment, his suggestion had
been hailed with acclamation. How
he had heard about the Indian, and
from whom, were points about which
he was very vague; but since he was
very vague young man, the fact
ELECTED no comment. The main thing
was that here, in the flesh, was
dark, mysterious performer of the oc-
cult, and what more could house
party require? And in the general
excitement Hugh Drummond crept
closer to the open window. Suddenly
his jaw frightened; Irma Peterson had
entered the room with young Laidley.
''Do you want anything done. Mr..
Ram Dar?" asked the duchess-"the
lights down or the window shut?"
"No, thank you," returned the In
dian. 81 am ready. Who first will
learn of the things that are written on
the scroll of Fate?'
| And it was at that moment that the
| intent watcher outside the window
began to shake with silent mirth. For
the face was the face of the Indian,
Ram Oar, but the voice was the voice
| of Lakington. 1t struck him that
the next ten minutes or so might be
well worth while. The problem of re-
moving the pearls from the duchess
neck before such an assembly seemed
| to present a certain amount of diff
Guilty even to such an expert as Henry.
And Hugh crept a little nearer the
window. so as to miss nothing.
Evidently the scene was now set
the necessary props were in position
and Hugh waited with growing i'm
patience for the principal event. But
the principal performer seemed in no
hurry. In fact, in his dry way LAX
ington was thoroughly enjoying him.
self. An intimate inside knowledge
Of the skeletons that ratified their
bones in the cupboards of most of
| those present enabled the gods to
speak with disconcerting accuracy;
and as each victim insisted on some
body new facing the sands that came
from beyond the mountains, the per-
formance seemed likely to last indefi-
nitely.
] At last a sudden delighted burst of
applause came from the group, an
nouncing the discontinue of yet an
other guest. and with it Lakington
seemed to tire of the amusement. En-
crossed though he was in the anticipa-
ton of the main item which was still
to be staged, Drummond could not but
admire the extraordinary accuracy of
the character study Not a detail had
been overlooked; not single flaw in
Lakington's acting could he notice. 1t
was an Indian who stood there, and
when few days later Hugh returned
her pearls to the duchess, for a long
time neither she nor her husband
would believe that Ram Oar had been
an Englishman disguised. :. And this
was what happened as seen by the
fascinated onlooker crouching near the
| WINDOW outside.
Superbly disdainful, the Indian
after short, meaningless patter, to
hold the attention Of the audience,
stalked to the open window. With
arms outstretched he stared into the
darkness, seeming to gather strength
from the gods whom he served.
'sDo your ears not hear the whisper
ings of the nightY' he demanded. Life
rustling in the leaves; death moaning
through the grasses" And suddenly he
threw back his head and laughed,
fierce, mocking laugh; then he swung
round and faced the room. For while