The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-12-01

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 indef-
nitely.
At laST sudden delighted burst of
applause came from the group. an
nOuncing the discontinue of yet an
other guest and with ii darlington
seemed Go tire of the amusement. En-
crossed though he was in the anticipa-
ton 81 the main Item which was still
10 be staged. DrummOnd could not but
admire the extraordinary accuracy of
the character study. Not "A detail had
been overlooked: not "A single flaw in
Lakingron'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 10y the
fascinated OnlOOker crouching near the
window outside.
lf-yI,f,.f,,I indian
after a short. meaningless patter. tO
hold the attention of the audience,
Stalked tu the open window. With
arms outStretched he stared into the
darkness. seeming To gather strength
from the gods whom he served
do your ears not hear the whisper
ing> of the uighr:' he demanded. Life
rustlin. in the leaves; death moaning
through the GRASSES" And suddenly he
threw back his head and laughed, a
fierce, hooking laugh; then he swung
round and faced the room. For while
he stood mOtiOnleSS and Hugh. from
the shelter of me bushes. wondered
whether the two quick flashes that
had come from his robe as he spoke
flashes such as a small electric torch
y
anyone else-were a signal to the de-
funct chauffeur.
Then a peculiar look came over the
Indians face. as his eyes fell on a
Chinese cabinet.
''Where did the Protector of the
Poor obtain the sacred cabinet of the
Chow kings?'' He peered at 1t rever-
emily, and the duke coughed.
Zone Of my ancestors picked it up
somewhere" he answered APOLOGIZE
cally.
Fashioned with the blood of men,
guarded with their lives, and one of
your ancestors picked it up" The
duke withered completely under the
biting scOrn OF the words, and seemed
about to say something. but the Indian
had turned away. and his long, delicate
fingers were lowering over the box.
With cleaning eyes he stared in
front of him. and a woman shuddered
audibly.
what is it supposed TO do?" she
ventured timidly.
For centuries that box contained
the jewelS-preclOus beyond words
of the reigning queens of the Chow
dynasty. They were wrapped in sill
yer and gold tissue-of which this is
a feeble, modern substitute"
From a cummerbund under his robe
ne drew a piece of shining material.
the appearance OF which was greeted
with cries of feminine delight.
you would not ask me to commit
sacrilege?" Quietly he replaced the
material in his belt and turned away,
and Hugh's eyes glistened at the clev-
erness with which the man was act
ing. Whether they believed 1t or not,
there was not a soul in the room by
this time who was not consumed with
eagerness to put the Chinese cabinet
10 the test.
"Supposlng you took my pearls, Mr..
Ram OAR" said the duchess difhdent-
ly. II know that compared to such
historic jewels they are poor, but per
haps it would not be sacrilege."
Not q muscle on Lakington's face
twitched, though it was the thing he
had been playing for. Instead he
seemed to be sunk In thought, while
the duchess continued pleading. and
the rest OF the party added their en-
treaties. Then, as If he had decided
suddenly, he swung round.
at viii try" he announced briefly,
and the duchess headed the chorus OF
delight. "Wm the Presences stand
back, and you, your Grace, take that2"
He handed her the piece OF material.
mo hand but yours must touch the
pearls. Wrap them up inside the sill
yer and gold" Aloohy he watched
the process. 'Now advance alone, and
open the box. Place the pearls in
side. Now shut and lock IT. Obedi-
emily the duchess did as she was bid !;
then she stood waiting for further in
str1ctions.