Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1940-01-18
cast ann We5T.
BY TALBOT MuNDY
Q TALBOT MUkDY-WNU SERVICE

might have looked equally comfort
less. Perhaps he dreaded Aunty
Harding's temper. perhaps some
thing else.
Rundhia, moment or two later,
climbed into the new Rolls-Royce
and laid his head back on the cush-
ions, to prevent the nose-bleed from
recurring. He was still bleeding
slightly. He kept dabbing with q
handkerchief.
''The British Residency!"
The Russian chauffeur drove like
fury, but Rundhia made him slow
down near the Residency gate.
Though he affected to despise all
ceremonial, Rundhia took cynical
pleasure in making sure they should
turn out the guard. He had phoned
to say he was coming, so he was
shown into the dim library, where
the shades were drawn against the
brazen sunlight, and the Resident
didn't keep him waiting more than a
couple of minutes.
'How are you, Rundhia. How is
the new Rolls-Royce behaving?"
Rundhia dabbed at his nose with
the handkerchief. "The car is quite
well, thank you. How are your"
They sat in armchairs cycling each
other in comfortless silence for near
ly minute. The Resident, who was
feeling drowsy, tried to look firm,
but fatherly and cordial. Rundhia
was very good indeed at looking in
solent without giving actual grounds
for offense. He did his best, until
the Resident decided to take hatred
by the horns:
"Of course, I've no inkling of the
reason for this unexpected visit,
Rundhia. However, I'm glad you
came. There are no witnesses, and,
of course, this is off the record.
am taking the opportunity to re-
mind you, once more, privately, that
our treaty with this otherwise in
dependent State of Kadur gives to
His Majesty's Indian Government
the right to veto the succession to
the throne of any heir in whom His
British Majesty's advisers may lack
sufficient confidence"
IT have always been civil to you.
But you couldn't like me, even if
you tried, could you'll" Rundhia re-
torted.
81 take exception to that" said
the Resident. II have my duty to
consider, not my personal likes and
dislikes. AS a matter of actual fact.
l could easily like you, if you would
give me the opportunity. When you
choose, you can be charming, and
you are very intelligent. But on
several occasions I have deplored
your conduct and have had to speak
to you about it. You have recently
returned from Delhi. Rumors
reached me. Without revealing con-
fidences, l may say they were more
than rumors. There are limits be-
yond which an heir to a throne
should not trespass in quest of
amusement-or for any other rea-
son. I remind you that your cousin
Jodha comes of age this week."
"Jodha is such crock he couldn't
cut up if he tried" said Rundhia.
zone leg in the grave. The others
rotten. Why drag him in? He'll be
dead SOON"
Failing acceptable heirs, the
throne of Kadur can be escheated.
I am warning you, Rundhia."
Thanks! have heard you. Now
it's my turn and I'll warn you. It's
what l came for. Who is this Cap
tain Norwood? l notice you didn't
present him at the palace. He came
alone. Why? Are you keeping your
hands off? Why does he carry dia-
monds in his tunic pocket? Why is
he nervous when someone happens
to see them? Is he one of your Brit
ish gentlemen who never-never I'M
der any circumstances, never take
bride? From priest, for instance
to report, according to his honor
able conscience, in the priests IA
vor!"
(TO BE CONTINUED)