The Ely miner., 1939-10-19
CHAPTER XVII

rest and of the convenient fact that
the State of Kadur had been quies-
cent for years, he had received con-
idential instructions from his State
Department to be very discreet in
his relations with the court of Kadur.
It was impossible to misinterpret
the order. 1t was plainly worded.
He was not to interfere, if it could
possibly be helped.
On the other hand, he had dis
covered, rather to his annoyance,
that Norwood was very hkeable
person, with an exceptionally good
service record. Even prejudice
couldn't make him believe that Nor
wood had accepted bribe. 1t might
be impossible to prove that Nor
wood hadn't accepted one, and there
might be a cloud over Norwood's
career forever after. But the Resi-
dent hadn't doubt that Rundhia, or
else perhaps the priests, or even
both of them in some nefarious Sc
cret alliance, had framed Norwood.
He was inclined to believe that the
priests agents had bought Rundhia,
with view to some political ad-
vantage after Rundhia should have
come to the throne. Rundhia, he
suspected, would do almost anything
for cash.
Not being a fool, nor even a very
unimaginative man, he suspected
that Norwood's interest in Lynn
Harding was something rather more
than platonic.
And one could believe almost any,
thing of Rundhia: even believe that
Rundhia might act honorably, if hon.
or and the circumstances didn't
clash with Rundhia's convenience
The Resident liked Rundhia. AL
most everyone did who knew him.
But it was a bit difficult to sepa-
rate Rundhia, from Rundhia's unre-
generate inclinations and his record.
So the Resident wrote a report,
marked secret" to the State De-
partment, in which he respectfully
urged His Majesty the Kings ad-
visers to oppose Prince Rundhia's
succession to the throne of Kadur
He had small doubt that his advice
would be found acceptable.
But that wasn't going to save Nor
wood. It was far more likely to
ruin Norwood, because Rundhia en-
ployed a secret agent in Delhi, who
would learn of the Indian Govern
ment's intentions about the veto in
next to no time. Rundhia, and Run
dhia's friends, would jump to the
conclusion that Norwood had been
using secret influence in order to
get back at Rundhia for the accusa-
ton Of bribery. Rundhia and his
friends would strike back, and there
would be so much purchased, per-
iured evidence produced, that Nor
wood would have no chance what
ever.
So the Resident decided to do
some private investigation on his
own account.
There was nothing for it but to
call on Mrs. Harding and to ask
her to summon Lynn to the guest
house for a confidential interview.
He detested Mrs. Harding. He knew
she was snob and he suspected her
OF being a title-huntress. He had
called on her once, and she had
been damned rude, because she
hadn't understood his position; she
had suspected him of being merely
one more penurious British officer
who wished to make Lynn's ac-
qualntance. But there are lots of
unpleasant tasks that a man feels
called on to undertake, in the course
of duty, so the Resident ordered his
car and set forth, calling en- route
at the Post Office to register his let
ter to the Department of State, so
that his Parsee secretary shouldn't
know about it and be tempted to
talk.
Aunty Harding's locked and la
belled trunks stood in a severe row
at one end of the veranda. Aunty
Harding reposed on pillows at the
other end, where she received the
Resident with hostile politeness. The
veranda faced away from the SUM-
set and the surrounding trees cast
a deep shadow, so the electric light
had been turned on in the living
room, and the only light there was
came through the living-room win
dow. Aunty Harding couldn't see
him very well, and she hadn't her
spectacles. But she remembered his
name, and she had learned, indi-
rectly, since their first interview,
that he was a parsonage. So she
bristled sef-defensively and patron
lied him.
''Mayn't offer you whiskey? You
English are such devotees of that
drink, aren't you. In the States, our
men drink Bourbon. Please smoke -
faT m foI MiSc
Harding
''Yeu will have to look for her
elsewhere"
"Oh, I know she's at the palace.
Isn't there telephone? Could you
ask her to come here a moment?
1t won't take long. l merely want
to ask her few questions"
81 can't do what you ask. I am
no longer responsible for Lynn. If
should summon her she wouldn't
obey me-"
"Oh? I hope nothing serious
has"
"a ploti Dishonorablei Contempt
ible! l won't bore you with my pri-
vate affairs. 1t is sufficient to say
that received an insolent communi-
cation from the Maharanee. She has
invited Lynn to stay with her-with-
out consulting me, mind you. And
have received an astonishing note
from my niece, addressed to me,
but intended for Captain Norwood,
of all impossible people! As if ]
were mail boxl And as if I didn't
know what is being said about Cap
tain Norwood! 1t was a deliberately