The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-02-02

/ party requirei And IN the general
excitement Hugh DrummOnd crept
closer 70 the open window Suddenly
his jaw tightened; Irina Peterson had
entered the room with young Laidley.
"Do you want anything done, Mr.
Ram Dary asked the duchess-"the
lights down or the window shut7"
"No. thank you" returned the In.
dian. Il am ready Who first will
learn Of the things that are written on
the scroll Of FateT'
And IL 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 Dar. but the voice was the voice
OF Lakington. II struck him that
the next ten minutes or so might be
we'll worth while. The problem OF re-
moving the pearls from the duchess
neck before such an assembly seemed
20 present certain amount OF diff
Guilty even TO such an expert as Henry.
And Hugh crept little nearer the
window, so as to miss nothing.
Evidently the scene was now set
the necessary props we're In position
and Hugh waited with growing inn
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 disconcertlng 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 lndefi-
nltely.
At last a sudden delighted burst OF
applause came from the group. an
nouncing the discontinue OF yet an.
other guest. and with II Lakington
seemed TO tire OF the amusement. En-
crossed though he was in the anticipa-
tion OF the main item which was still
TO he staged, Drummond could not but
admire the extraordinary accuracy of
the character study. Not a detail had
been overlooked; not a single flaw In
Lakington's acting could he notice. II
was an Indian who stood there, and
when few days later Hugh returned
her pearls to the duchess. for 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
darkness, seeming to gather strength
from the gods whom he served
do your ears not hear the whisper
ings Of the night7" 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 aud faced the room. For a while
he stood motionless. and Hugh. from
the shelter OF the bushes. wondered
whether the two quick flashes that
had come from his robe as he spoke
flashes such as small electric torch
will give. and which were unseen by
anyone else--were signal to the de.
funct chauffeur.
Then 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 kingsT' He peered at II rever-
emily. and the duke coughed.
zone Of my ancestors picked u mp
somewhere" he answered apologeti-
cally.
Fashioned with the blood OF men,
guarded with their lives. and one OF
your ancestors picked II up" The
duke withered completely under the
biting scorn ~ 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 II supposed 10 dor she
yentured timIdly.
For centuries that box contained 4
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
q feeble. modern substitute"
From a cummerbund under his robe /
be drew piece OF shining material.
The appearance of Thieh was greeted /
with cries OF feminine delight
"Nou would not ask me 10 commit
sacrileEef' Quietly he replaced tie .
material 10 his beit and turned away.
and Hlzh's eyes gllstened az the ciev-
erue-s wlfh which she man was srt-
ing Whether they believed q ~ NOT.
there aus uot q soul u the oam hy
This ffrTss rthft ernN not fssrferfr-sssF .fffM