The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-11-11

- smith.
"a Manhattan cocktail. Mr..
Smith" he said suavely. You VIII
,onrec;atc the American drink. am
sure, before dressing FOR dinner,
"Thauks." said Smtth. How d'd
,o,, ,.rr,,. | WAS from America"
Tho Rujah drew himself up
proudly. :,
L. too. have my secret service
he stated. and knew seFera'
weeks ago that C"l"n"l Marsoen
w,yld pay mo u visit. tho object OK
which was to buy my influence IN
favor ~ Eucland--not Ind'L o"'
Euglard when tlatters mo TO my
fac. and cllts me outcnSt behind my
bark II VAS hut an additional trIHr
IN learn th.tt colonel Marsden was
hr,ngin. with him a young Aherl-
AN who had recently Joined the
criminal Intelligence Department Oh
India" -.
Colonel Marsdcu drank his COCK
tail and set down the glass.
Your IUghncss." he said. i coN'u
not Get so good Il drink IN all inoi''
And YOU. Baron Stirenski' went
on the Rajah, represent ahotte'
mower or group OF powers. lou
come for the same purpose ana my
criticism applies also to you. very
well, gentlemen. it - to be q bargain
and after dinner we snail discuss
the terms. one thing l shall point
out now. / know much moro I'M"
Won think and the first one OF 20"
who attempts TO deceive me Will ale
as horrible n death IA my torturers
can invent. During dinner | shai'
arrange Il mild exhibition or their
art for your benefit"
1T would 10 dangerous 10 inJurc
one OF my rank" stated the baron
q little pcmpously.
"It IL dangerous 10 live in Buthat'
ret0rted the Rajah sharply.
Turning away from his guests ne
added:
dinner will be ready IN ono hour
You will pardon me for not drlnAhS
with YOU. gentlemen. My religion
torhids t."
Smith was already dressed and
curiuisly examining tho Oriental
furnishings Of his room when
CcADncl Marsden entered In mess
Jacket. his golden spurs Jingling as
he strobe across the floor.
Interesting thlngs." he exclaim-
,d standing In the center OF the
room. Look at that decoration on
the ceiling. 1t Is an ankh design.
Comes from Egypt. Everything
meets in this part OF the world"
AS Smith approached and looked
up. the colonel continued in a lower
voice:
Middle Of the room IS about the
only safe place to talk. You did the
right thing when you acknowledge
your nationality at once. l was
afraid that you were going to parry
the thrust"
How are things going?" asked
Smith.
Not badly" returned the colonel,
pursuing his lips. Pretty much as !!
expected except for the threat o:
sudden death"
Would he carry II ont
Without q doubt" was the en-
phatic reply. "You see the old boy
doesn't know which way TO jump. |
don't think he cares very much. lie
IS simply afraid Of the side he jumps
away from. II anything he leans TO
us since he was educated in Eng
land"
Then how can he como to a de-
cisiou?"
He may not come to any de-
cision," answered the colonel mus
ingly. IT he does come to de-
cis!on it might DO because one side
was able to diScrcdit the other in
some dramatic way, permitting him
to. appear shocked and angry"
There doesn't appear TO be much
for me to DO" commented Smith.
Yes there is" returned the Colo
mel quickly. Watch Stivenski. |
depend on you TO watch him. Let's
go down"
men sat looked over tho terrace
and beyond that over the great plain
banked on the far side by ponderous
mountains. Through the open win
duws Came the distant beating OF
tom toms accompanied by the mel
ancholr wailing OF some mantram-
chanting native. A blue sky hung
overhead. studded with huge stars
which seemed SO low as scarce TO
top the distant mountains. From
tho walled garden. above the ter
race. dr!ftcd the scent of flowers
Once Smith faucied he heard the
light tones OF feminine laughter
from over the wall.
Th" d!nlrg-rOom Itself was large
and bulCcd into q huge bay where
tho table was placed close to the
open windows. The walls were
heavily hung with rich embroideries
OF native work. Heads OF trophies
Of the chase and strange, ugly
weapons were suspended in wild
confusion. The floor was covered
with majestic skins-leapord. tiger
and lion.
All was ot the East with the cx-
Ception Of the table. which was
small and rested upon Il great, white
skin OF tho polar hear. There was
nothing Eastern about the table.
which cleaned whit" amid the
shadows Of the rather gloomy room.
The damask cover and sparkling
silver shouo startlinglv beneath tn"
glow OF soft, shaded candles. -Four
hixh-hackcd. ivory chairs museum
specimens stood at the four sides.
The Rajah OF Agh Buthal faced
the opcn windows across the table.
Upon his right was the Baron SIT
rcnski, wearing the blue band q.
some European order across his
white shirt front. Colonel Mars,l-u
sat upon the left OF his host, hts
scarlet mess jacket making an Cf-
fcrtivo splash Of color against tn"
ivory whit" Of his chair. Smith
rtCrd the Rajah with his back 10