The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1939-12-08

oirs. Page one, I'll tell 'em the
Intelligence Is run by cheap 'uns.
They'd make Scotchman feel like
multiplying leaves and fishes, free
for nothing!"
Norwood rode alone along the riv-
er bank until the path grew narrow
near the waterfall and he could no
longer see the huge bulk of the tenn
pie, nor even the city wall that fol-
lowed the curve of the river beyond
the dam. He dismounted and hitched
his horse to a shrub. The water
tumbled innocently, lazily over the
dam; there was hardly hit behind
that beautiful curved translucent
screen there might be the mouth of
a tunnel. The river water was
vaguely blue.
There were four men seated near
the ledge on, which Norwood had
nearly lost his Life the night before.
They stood up, greeting him respect
fully. They were Brahmins but not
priests; they looked like RESPONSE
BILE men of affairs who might, per-
haps, be trusted with the financial
details Of some of the temple bust
ness. He plunged straight to his SUBJ
ject:
"One Of our Air Force pilots has
reported having glimpsed an open
opt surrounded by those outlying
buildings near the temple area. It's
an open secret that the priests have
been working a diamond mine for
centuries. We have heard the mine
is dangerous. want secret look
at it. Perhaps ! can advise you
how to make it safe. One other
thing: stop dumping clay in the riv-
er. Perhaps I can advise what to
do about that. AS for the dispute
about ownership, my party is rum
ming a survey line to establish facts.
I have seen nothing yet to suggest
that the priests are not the right
full owners. If you've any docu-
ments, I'd be glad to see them. My
report isn't the last word, but it's
likely to carry weight"
If Norwood hadn't been thinking
about Lynn and Rundhia, he might
have noticed that the Brahmins
looked a lot too pleased. One of
them, pushing past him, slipped a
tiny black paper envelope into Nor
woods left-hand tunic pocket. He
apologized for having brushed
against him. Norwood had hardly
noticed that he did.
The four held a whispered consul
tation. Then their spokesman said,
in excellent English, but with a
trace too much silk in his voice:
''We appreciate your honor's cour-
tesy. But we are Intermediates, on
whom it is incumbent to convey the
message to the proper quarter. It
shall doubtless have immediate con-
sideration." He paused, then added,
as if choosing an innocuous polite
phrase: sWe know well that your
honor's report will have great
weight. We hope that your honor's
judgment may not be influenced by
worthless arguments"
Back in camp, Norwood sat under
the tent awning to have his boots
polished by his servant, while he
gave orders for the day.
Sergeant Stoddart," he said sud-
denly. 'sThere's, a niddle-aged lady
in the Maharajah's guesthouse who
had a rather bad spill yesterday.
Bruises. Perhaps abrasions. Might
be complications if she isn't care
full. A Bengal doctor is attending
her, and you can't always depend
on those fellows to use fresh anti
septic" r
"I'd be awful sick, before I'd let
one Of 'em dose me, sir"
'Well, before you go down to the
river, take a look in my medicine
chest. You'll find new two-ounce
bottle Of iodine. think I'll take it
to her. Wrap it up so that it won't
break. I'm going to see the Resi-
dent" -,, =
sf'-AA (TO BE CONTINUEDJ