The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-11-02
east nnD WEsT
BY TALBOT MUNpY rauNDr-S
Q rAlsor MuNDY-wNU SERVICE

palace chamberlain approached
him, stared-stared harder-hesitat-
ed, and then:
Captain Norwood? We had heard
you are deadl"
Eyes. have been wondering who
is sorry I'm not dead. Has the Ma
harajah heard it?"
mo, / believe not. He is rather
inaccessible this evening. And it
was only rumor. unconfrmed yet.
It was thought best not to mention
it to him prematurely May l con-
graduate you on your escape. 1t
was said that criminals attacked
your camp. l am sincerely"
Thanks"
''Your business at the palace? l
think the Maharajah might be
pleased to see you. He has docu-
ment-''
81 have asked to see the Maha-
rance"
"Oh, impossible! Captain Nor
wood, please. We have been very
unconventional of late, but"
Here comes the servant" said
Norwood.
The servant delivered his mes
sage: the chamberlain accompanied
Norwood upstairs as far as the ante
room that led into the Maharajah's
study:
81 am sure His Highness viii be
glad to see you, because of that new
document he has discovered. The at
tendant in the anteroom will an
nounce you. Hee-heel You may be-
heve it or not, but ] wouldn't dare
to do it.
Don't mention my name," said
Norwood.
81 wouldn't think of it. The doc
tor and I are not cronies. I win
simply say someone went IN. / be-
lieve you will be admitted. His
Highness spoke of you. I think he
really wants to see you"
The chamberlain left him. Nor
wood was announced. The Punjabi
stamp salesman was dismissed,
smiling as if he had done good bust
ness. The door closed, and Nor
wood was alone with the Mahara-
jah.
At last the Maharajah spoke: 81
am pleased to receive you, Captain
Norwood, even though the hour is
unusual. You came to speak to me
about the-ah-boundary dispute? I
have news. Since I saw you, my
secretary has found a document
which seems to me to make the
priests case so ridiculous that"
'Oh, expect to find in the favor
of the priests, Your Highness. Those
documents may interest lawyers I
am only concerned with the bound
airy line. ! have been accused OF
accepting bride from the
priests"
"Ohl Captain Norwood, you aston
ish me- Who is your accuser?"
ST supposed you already knew. He
will tell you. As matter of fact, I
called on Her Highness the Mahara-
nee. want to speak to Miss Lynn
Harding. / have reason to believe
that without the Maharanee's advice
she might refuse to see me until
perhaps tomorrow. I need to see
her tonight. I hoped to persuade
the Maharanee to arrange the inter-
view, but she refused, so I came to
you instead"
'Is it urgent? Won't you please be
seated? Won't you read this docu-
ment?"
"Your Highness, do you think I
would disturb you at this time of
night if it wasn't Urgent"
"Oh, well, possibly an interview
can be arranged. / will enquire
presently. Won't you read that doc
unent?'
Norwood smiled agreeably: "I
will. AS you have reason to know,
sir, I'm a bit slow at reading this
ancient script"
SCI wouldn't care to let that out of
my possession" said the Mahara-
JAN.
"Suits me-" Norwood answered
81 ask nothing better than to sit
here for the time being. You will
learn why, later"
The Maharajah looked up sharply,
but Norwood raised the document
between them. He couldn't see Nor
woods face:
"You fatter me-" he said after a
moment
At last came a knock at the door
The Maharajah tapped the gong
with his fingers and the Bengali doc
tor entered, making his suavest pro-
fessional bow He was followed by
the Maharajah's personal attendant,
carrying big blue goblet on sill
yer tray. The Bengai eyed Nor
wood with horror.
"You are late" said the Mahara-
jan. "Why are you late?"
81 was delayed, your Highness
II
Norwood had laid down the docu
ment. He rose from his chair He
stepped behind the Bengal. He held
his right fist ready for emergency
and seized the goblet in his left hand
The Bengal stepped back, out Of
reach of the fist. The Maharajah
made a sudden exclamation, not UNI
like sleeps bleat The white-claG
servant backed away, showing the
whites of his eyes. Norwood held
the goblet toward the Bengali:
Drink i'll" he commanded.
The Bengali was speeches.. Il
was several seconds before he could
stammer: ''Sir, are you mad?"
The Maharajah, with his elbows
on the desk, and one hand within
! reach of the drumstick of the golden
gong, leaned forward, staring.
Norwood spoke again quite calm
Iy. But it was deadly calm. II
frightened the Bengali:
You are, aren't you, the doctor
who noisoned Mrs. Hardinasa