The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1940-06-06

.~-s .t---s ~---- ---- ------. ..--y ~..s.
you sign that retraction? didn't ask
you for it. Who did?"
Rundhia was silent.
speak" said the Maharanee.
She had unveiled her face. She was
looking at Lynn.
Rundhia glanced at Lynn. Lynn
looked suddenly straight at Nor
wood and spoke with such con-
strained emotion that her voice
sounded fiercely angry:
Captain Norwood, asked Run
dhia to write that. If it isn't what
you wanted, you may blame me-"
Norwood's lips moved toward a
smile, but he saw her embarrass-
ment, so he checked it. He looked
straight in her eyes for several Sec
onds before he looked at Rundhia
again:
Substitute question, Rundhial
You didn't answer that one. How
much did you charge for this re-
traction of your accusation against
ne?"
The Maharanee caught her breath
sharply. The Maharajah suddenly
noticed that the Resident hadn't
chair. He commanded the white
robed kneeling servant to draw up
the only unoccupied chair. The Res
ident sat down and blew his nose
again:
Careful, Norwood CAREFUL"
Rundhia had had time to consid-
er. He sneered: 81 wrote that as
an act of magnani1nity. Was it
wasted on your"
Norwood glanced quickly at Lynn.
mo, no, Rundhia, it wasn't wasted.
But tell us all what is in this goblet.
could have it analyzed. Perhaps
you would prefer to consult that
Bengali doctor before you answer?
Question bit awkward? Your trou-
bic is that you can't guess how much
know, can you? Can you guess
why let the Bengai leave the
room? Any chance that he betrayed
you? Rather drop the question?
Very well, answer the other: how
much or what did you charge, and
to whom, for the magnanimous re-
traction of your accusation against
me? insist on an answer"
Rundhia spoke sullenly: Nothing.
No one. I don't even know what
you mean"
Norwood looked at Lynn. Her lips
moved. He was in time to check
her:
please say nothing! I want Run
dhia to tell it-Rundhia, choose.
won't wait all night. Account for
the contents of this goblet-or else
answer: what promise have you ex-
acted-from whom?"
The Maharanee spoke in a
strained voice: Answer him, Run
dhia."
Rundhia was silent. Lynn stared.
He avoided her eyes.
IF should have to mention this
goblet again." said Norwood, ST will
ask His Highness the Maharajah to
summon the guard. What promise
have you exacted from whom as
the price of your signing that re-
traction?"
There was no price"
The Maharanee was looking a,
Lynn. She spoke suddenly: "Run.
dhia, speak like a man! There was
promisel"
Rundhia stared at his feet. He
had the grace to speak as if he were
ashamed. He almost mumbled: 81
release her from the promise"
Norwood looked at Lynn steadily:
''Do you accept that?"
'sNo I refuse. Is this your ven.
geance? It's cruel. Doesn't the re-
traction satisfy your"
Norwood smiled at Lynn anc
made reassuring gesture. Run
dhia stared; he looked astonished
The Maharanee stood up. Norwood
spoke:
Lynn, did Rundhia tell you that
I tore up your letter? He lied. Your
aunt gave it to me less than an hour
ago. 1t reached her by mistake in
the wrong envelope"
II confirm that" said the Resi-
| dent.
Lynn stood up and waited for Run
dhia to speak. He didn't.
"Rundhia," she said, Ibid you
hear that?" Then, turning: THANK
you, Captain Norwood"
| "Just misunderstanding" Nor
wood answered. Il will explain il
| later"
Lynn shook her head. Her eyes
met his but she made no reply. She
left the room by the door behind
the screen. The Maharanee followed
her. Silence.
The Resident wiped his face with
the handkerchief: STEADY, Nor
wood" he said. STEADY" He spoke
aloud to the Maharajah:
"Does Your Highess wish"
81 wish for tranquility! do not
care to know any morel"
Garry on!" said the Resident.
Careful"
Norwood raised the goblet, this
time in his right hand: "You don't
deserve this, Rundhia. You're q
blackguard." He glanced at the Res
ident: "You agree, sir?"
The Resident nodded. The Ma
| harajah stared, fascinated. Norwood
spilled the contents of the goblet
on the floor.
"Have you spoiled the rug?"
asked the Maharajah. "That is a
very good rug"