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

"let mo have your onsrs ana re-
quests. What do you want and what
have you to give In rsturnr
Seniority demands that Baron
Stivenski should speak frst" said
Colonel Marsden, leaning back and
putting comfortably at his cigar.
II would waive the privilege"
protested the Baron. and 1t was
plain that he was annoyed. What
l have to say Is confidential"
You must bid against each
other" grimly interposed the Rajah.
1T is my within for tonight that you
both speak openly. II at ALL"
In the silence which followed the
Baron, hesitatingly. drew out a
note book and consulted some
figures before tearing out . sheet
and writing something upon it
In the meantime Smith had
opened the cigarette case which had
lust been handed to him by his
servant. Very slowly he extracted
cigarette and tapped 1t lazily upon
the open case az II undecided about
smoking. Only one side Of the case
was filled and Smith stared blankly
at a note tucked into the opposite
side. 1t was crudely written in
Hindustani and, being translated,
! read:
THE drunken son Of an owl who
serves the Baron sahib boasts that
he stole the colonel sahib's mess
jacket this afternoon and put IL
back before dinner"
your Highness," said the Baron,
passing his memorandum across the
table, II offer you q loan for this
amount"
The Rajah took the bit Of paper
and. after glancing at 1t, tossed Il
over to the colonel, who turned it
face down without looking at II.
And In return. what am to DOT"
asked the Rajah.
"Fortify the southern passes lead.
ing into india" raped out the
Baron.
THAT Is all?"
THAT Is all, Your HighnA:s."
Again there was a period Of
silence. 1t was partly interrupted
by an action upon the part Of Smith.
who rose and bent over Colonel
Marsden in order to light his cigar
cite from the latter's cigar. In mess
uniform there are only three pocketk
There are two small ones in the
vest and a larger one inside the
jacket. The last is never used by
a smart officer since II would soon
bulge the jacket and destroy it,
close fitting appearance. II he Colo
nell felt his pocket picked, while
Smith fumbled for q light he gave
no indication OF II.
Colonel Marsden. It IL your
turn" said the Rajah.
Your Highness." replied the colo
mel, my terms are very simple.
offer friendship and ask friendship
in return"
The Rajah frowned and the Baron
smiled openly.
Unfortunately my country needs
money" returned the Rajah. and I
cannot carry out improvements with
kind words"
Colonel Marsden quietly tapped
the Baron's slip Of paper.
The figures here" he said pleas.
antly. probably represent crown1
rubles or marks. l offer the SAM
| number OF pounds sterling II you
accept my conditions OF friendship"
And how must show my friend
ship" asked the Rajah.
hrinoI1D
meet the team Of His Excellency the
Viceroy once q year at Simla and
by improving the trade routes to
the SOUTH"
That is all?"
THAT Is all. Your Highness"
His words are soft" spoke the
Baron with an ugly CLEAN. but his
claws are hidden"
People who talk Of claws seldom
have the courage to uncover Them"
remarked Smith Unexpectedly.
Il can do both" announced the
Baron arrogantly. 1T is my duty.
Your Htghness. to inform you that
Colonel Marsden has abused your
hospitality. During n ride this
morning he made a military sketch
OF the surrounding country and, no
doubt, noted the best positions for
guns that may be used against you
il you. do not do az he wishes"
MY dear chap. you are drunk or
dreaming" said the colonel.
Your proof" demanded the
'Rajah in a voice vibrant with anger.
Lies in the coloneIs breast
pocket" returned the Baron In
vicious tones. ''I am sure he carries
so dangerous paper on his person.
At any rate, Your Highness. I must
take the risk OF being wrong out Of
the real friendship which My coun-
try holds for you"
Colonel Marsden looked quisxical.
~ and with touch Of admiration at
Smith as he carelessly turned his
breast pocket inside out under the
eyes of the Rajah.
Your wine has been too much for
his head. Your Highness." was ths
coloners comment.
i think that you are wrong Colo
mel Marsden." interposed Smith.
The Baron merely wished to draw
suspicion away from himself.
fancy I saw a sketch fall from his
notebook a few minutes ago. Your
Highness will see it under the
Barons chair"
1t was very beautiful bit Of mill
tary topography that the Rajah
picked up--just about a long legs
length from where Smith sat. Even
the colonel showed establishment at
the denouement.
The Baron's face was CHASTITY AZ
he marched away to his room TO
prepare for midnight ride through
the mountain pass. Smith. alone
seemed unmoved. but he. perhapA
was the only one who entirely un-
derstood what had happened. As
for the Rajah OF Agh Buthal-that
"a -