Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-13
BY wALDEMAR BoNsELs!

ME news ran tI1TOugn MdIlSdioIc
that political passion was great
ming a draft of British troops
had arrived. Ostensibly they
were sent for maneuvers and to attend
an official inspection Of the province.
But no one believed this innocent ex-
PLANTATION.
The most conflicting rumors were
current. Knots of persons engaged in
eager talk were to be seen in the bazaar
and other public places. The unthink-
ing mob, however, continued to go
about its concerns as usual, regardless
of the rights and duties of the govern
ment. AS for the traders in the bazaar,
these congratulated themselves at sight
of the military uniforms.
The soldiers, in accordance with the
regulations of that date, always went
about in companies of four. With nom
chalant mien, they stared open-mouth-
ed at the incomprehensible p~eculiarities
Of the native city, amused themselves in
careless fashion, and were so obviously
at their ease that I was not inclined to
pay serious heed to the alarfnist reports.
Mangeshe Rao had not been to see me
since our return. I had been greatly
astonished, a few days earlier, when I
caught sight of him riding with the
English colonel. His features on that
occasion had worn their usual impassiv-
ity. The British officer, in whose car
riage the two were seated, was talking
eagerly and g~esticulating a good deal,
but quite amicably. There was nothing
to suggest that their comradeship and
an. special significance. .
had been uneasy, although On the face
of the matter what I had seen ought to
have treasured me- amazed.
An impression Of furtivenes Is aroused
by the life of Hindustan, and this is
eminently likely to cause disquietude
and a n of uncertainty. 1t seemed
to me of a sudden as If all the things
and persons around me were showing
false colors.
I longed to escape from the entangle-
ments of a life that I was unable to
understand and in which I had never
theless become involved by my affection
for Mangeshe Rao.
X X Il X
TN the end, I hailed with delight the
l. strange opportunity that was offered
me, and rocked little Of the dangers into
which I was being led, for I enjoyed
the profound relief that come to us
when, after long hesitation, we make a
| decision.
On a moonless night, toward 2 In
the morning. Panya came to my bed
| side and awakened me. It was SO dark
| the dusky, triangular opening in the
white mosquito curtains. I could see
no
why don't you get a light" I asked,
supposing Panya to be there. What on
! earth do you want?"
IT may not get a light. Sahib. You
must get up, please. A stranger wants
to speak to you. He says that Mango
she Rao. the Brahmin, sent him."
1t was Mangeshe Rao himself. The
Brahmin wore an unfamiliar dress. At
his request I dismissed Panya.
We sat facing n another, with a
| faint starlight coming through the win
| dow. I was just able to discern Man
! geshe RAGS features. I fancied that
his face was drawn and pale, but per-
haps I was misled by the obscurity. II
| seemed to me that he was wrestling in
wardly, half resolved upon an avowal,
half DESTROYS of saying a word concern
ing the anxieties of the last few days:
but he did not refer to these things
After a period of silence, he said tran
quillv .
Tomorrow the British soldiers will
visit your house in search of evidence
relating to a conspiracy that Is sup
posed to be widespread and to have
supporters IN Mangalore. AS you know
/ am a suspect, am believed to be Of
like way Of thinking with the malcon'
tents. Since I have been a frequsn'
visitor here, 1t Is thought that you may
be involved in the affair"
"A conspiracy" I said. startled.
Mangeshe Rao waited to see If I hat
anything more to say. For the mo
ment, I was dumbfounded. I was con,
fused and excited simultaneously b,
. this nocturnal visit, by thoughts Of thl