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

coming day and Of the disclosure that
had just been made to me. How diff
ferent is the aspect or things when
viewed Economically frem a distant out
look and when they are close at hand.
"Conspiracies are everyday affairs in
India continued Mangeshe Rao slowly
and almost absently. They are discov-
cred and frustrated. Even If they are
not discovered nothing happens. The
British officials must find some vent for
their energies. It is the same on u
side"
With a melancholy expression, he
turred to look forth into the night.
Outside the cicadas were singing. Two
or three bright stars were visible, SEEM
ingly poised in the fanlike crests OF the
papaws.
Unfortunately. I have a good ON
science" I said. +.
X X X X
HNEvER had this land seemed
L stranger and more alien to me.
Being well acquainted with the Brah-
Minis habitual reserve, I was sure that
what he had left unexpressed was more
momentous than what he had said.
Indeed, no words could la convinced
me of the seriousness of the affair so
effectually as did the mere fact of his
nocturnal visit.
What can I do?" I asked.
From the bosom Of his robe Mangeshe
Rao took some packets tied with string.
Their appearance suggested that they
contained letters or other documents.
will you hide these papers for us?"
he inquired calmly.
I aSsented without ref1ection-or
rather, concerned only to wonder which
| would be the best hiding place in house
OF garden. It never occurred to me for
a moment to think that there must have
been plenty of better hiding places in
Mangalore for q few discriminating docu-
ments. I was so profoundly impressed
by the character of the nan who asked
this service Of me that I had no
thought Of the possibility that I might
be made a tool Of.
Since that date 1t has frequently DC
Cured to me that young people who
make such resolves as the n I made
on this night are rarely actuated by any
thoughtless complaisance Of a moment
may have cost such as myself the loss
Of years of liberty and may have in
volved the entire sacrifice Of the most
active period of life.
I took the papers. Leave 1t to me-"
I said.
Then I recollected that my friend had
just told me I was to expect a domicil-
larry visit on the morrow. Naturally,
therefore, I asked for an explanation of
the apparent inconsistency.
IT want these documents to be found
here In your house." said Mangeshe
Rao.
He spoke in low tones, quite simply,
and manifeStly with no desire to en-
| velop his commission in mystery. Those
who are engaged on dangerous intrigues
in India are well aware, not only that
walls have ears, but that danger threat
ems everywhere-from the night, from a
mans wife, from his most intimate
friend. Understanding what the Brah-
min was afraid of, I said:
"Panya is trustworthy"
Mangeshe Rao shook his head.
HE is a child. Good feeling and
trustworthiness without discretion seem
no better than treachery to those who
know the enemies with whom they have
to deal. You come from a country
where frankness and strength are val
ued equally with boldness. Such quail
ties may become a free people. Our
race has almost forgotten its freedom"
A T these words 7 was seized with a
sense Of sadness in which for the
| first time I grew fully aware of the az
lection I felt for Mangeshe Rao. I
should have liked to urge him to with
draw from a fruitless and baleful strug-
gle. 1t was plain to me that, notwith-
standing the keenness of his intel
ligence, his opponents were too strong
for him. But I said nothing, being
| oyerpowered by my veneration for the
fire that burned in his breast.
Mangeshe Rao went n
Don't let the discovery be too easy,
but make sure that the papers are
found. Chance often takes a hand to
counteract the most ingenious designs.
Should the search party fail to happen
upon what you want them to find, you
can betray the documents by an appar-
emily maladroit attempt to conceal them
while the search Is actually in progress.
The papers are 'unimportant, and vet
they are of such a character that the
! government will believe itself to be on
! the track of a notable discovery. Sus-
| picion will be diverted. and the trail
will be confused. The documents will be
looked Upon as a prize, n from them
differences will be drawn as to the ex-
tent of the intrigue. Some Of our friends
ment will not be serious, and they are
willing to pay the price. Substantially,
the authorities will learn nothing more
than Is already known to them"
I inquired what / was to say II I were
asked how the papers had found their
way into my house.
Mention my NAME" said Mangeshe
Rao.
but what If you are p~rosecuted?"
= "They will not venture upon that.