The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-10-12
CHAPTER XV-Continued

Time" said Moses. "Gulbaz
times it like a jockey. He's the
best judge O. pace in all India. He
times it to the minute If he
isn't ready, then he'll play for
time"
The truck halted in front of
house whose red front door was
bolted. barred, and scrawled in
chalk with infamous remarks anent
the virtue of its inmates There was
an alley, a yard wide. pitch dark at
the farther end. Into that alley vel.
low light streamed through a door
that was partly ajar There was a
faint staccato drumbeat, twang
of stringed music. the sickly wall of
flute, and a stencil in which sensu-
Gus perfume fought with the reek of
garbage. Moses spoke to the truck
driver, and the truck driver sounded
the horn-three times, then three
more, then once.
The dissolute and dirty looking
person in the big white turban, to
whom Moses gave a captured knife
In the bazaar, appeared suddenly,
apparently from nowhere.
What's that bloke up to? Where
did ne come from?" Stoddart de-
manded.
IF you'd looked under the truck
you'd know" said Moses. He amt
respectable, so he don't ride first
class like me and you"
Moses whispered to the man, who
walked down the alley and entered
the door.
rs this your harem? Aren't we
going in?" asked Stoddart.
mo. You'd break the ladies'
hearts. Well wait here and give
'em a chance. This is Gulbaz' tenn
porary field headquarters. I've sent
him a message. He'll come or he
won't. If he don't, Wen know the
answer"
what did you tell that bIoke to
say to hin?"
81 said that Sergeant Stoddart's
here with information that he'll sell
for a price and wants personal IN
terview, face to face, no go
betweens.
You've got your nerve" said
Stoddart. It'll be all over the
bloody bazaar that I'm telling Sc
crets. Why don't you use your own
name?"
We've hooked him. Here he
comes" said Moses. Keep your
hair on now and sit tight. Say moth
ing, and leave it to me-"
Through the door, down the alley
and straight to the truck, without
glancing aside, without moments
hesitation, came man Of medium
height and middle weight, who
walked like young god, though he
was middle-aged. He was dressed
IN tight-ftting turban. white singlet
and loin-cloth and a striped silk
Seni-European jacket. He came to
the tail of the truck, gave one glance
at Stoddart and stared straight at
Moses. His smile changed, outward
" only little, but something hap
pened at the corners of his lips It
had changed to a fighting smile,
merciless, malicious.
You're a dog" be remarked in
plain English.
Fancy you giving away secrets"
Moses answered. I'm here to sell
'ern for cash on the nose Me and
this Sergeant know something. It's
hot We're splitting ffty-ffty. How
much?"
Il will listen. You may tell your
secret"
Cash on the nose" said Moses.
Money down or nothing doing"
Gulbaz' smile changed again. 1t
conveyed suggestion of vanity be-
yond the utmost reach of ordinary
mortals. He glanced at Stoddart
then back at Moses.
Are you satisfed?" he asked.
You have recognized me? You can
truly report that you have seen me
N Kadur? You saw the door l came
from? Very well, you may watch me
return. After that, you may go to
the devil"
I'm staying here until my mes
senger comes out into the street
alive said Moses.
II viii send him to you," Gulbaz
answered. He is lucky. Luckier
than you are Wait and see."
Gulbaz strobe back down the alley
and entered the door. A moment
later the messenger came out, look
ing scared, as if he felt murder be-
hind him. He ran and crawled in
under the truck. Moses spoke to
the driver. The truck started, for
ward, because the street was too
narrow to turn around In.
Where now" asked Stoddart.
Back to camp" said Moses.
well, you drew blank that time.
II you feel as foolish as you look
you'll think twice before you call me
a fathead again. You've spent a
rupee eight annas for nothing. and
you're not cent the wiser"
PLUS having learned that you're
stupider than any other blasted Brit
isher ! ever met" said Moses, 1--WE
learned all came for. Gulbaz isn't
as smart as he thinks. In some
ways he's near as stupid as you,
all along of his pride"
''Oh. that's easy to say but it's
Just talk" said Stoddart. IF you
ask me, you're liar. You haven't
learned anything. To the extent
that white man can condescend to
a half breed without losing caste,
we've been fair to middling friends,
you and l. But if you use my name
again promiscuous like that, III
knock your block of"
'fFathead," said Moses. He
knows me. He doesn't know you.
He came out because he was GU
rious."
And he told you to go to the
devil. That's al you learned"
''Fathead! You mean that's all
you learned. I learned that he's