The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1940-02-22

ognize as trouble. On horseback,
followed by a mounted native order
". he was entering the ancient gate
Of Kadur City. A good-looking fell
low. young to be Captain of Royal
Engineers. He looked more like
cavaIryman. Inside the city gates.
there was sinking herd of loaded
camels. They blocked the street.
Norwood's horse that wasn't used
to camels went into panic. When
he had Gained the horse he dis
mounted, gave the reins to the or
derlv. and told him to LET the horse
get used to the smell of camels and
follow as soon as the camels were
out of the way. He wanted to
stretch his legs anyhow. It was only
a mile walk to the Residency, on the
far side of the city. The swarming
streets were interesting, Just before
sunset, with the night life just be-
ginning.
The Residency stood in a vast
compound amid neem trees. Guard
neutrality-suspicious. Jack. The
Residency guard of native Indian in
fantry was turning out to pay the
customary honors to the flag at sun
set. The Resident was on the front
steps, middle-aged and military
looking. Norwood had to wait until
the brief ceremony was over. His
reception was not cordial. The in
vitation to dinner was perfunctory,
so phrased that it was easy to re-
fuse.
"I'm tired, sir. Long march. I
would like to turn in early"
every well, Captain Norwood.
Don't let me inconvenience you. l
was informed, of course, that you
were coming. Can't say that ! ap-
prove of this survey of the Kadur
River. The priests viii resent it bit
terly. There may be trouble enough
as it is over the temple boundary
dispute. The Maharajah claims own
ership of certain buildings, beneath
which it has been an open secret for
centuries that the priests have dia-
mond mine
That's why I'm here, sir. / was
told that Prince Rundhia started
the argument"
eyes, he's heir to the throne. He
had to start it in the Maharajah's S
name, but it was Rundhias idea.
The Maharajah is quiet old gen.
tleman, thank heaven. No initia-
tive. Satisfied to let things take
their course. / believe the quarrel
would settle itself, if we would let
it alone. The diamond mine is one
of those open secrets that do no
harm until they're aired by busy
bodies. The arrangement has
worked perfectly well all these
years. The priests don't win many
diamonds from the mine. Sometimes
years go by without their finding any
stones worth putting on the market.
But they make an occasional find.
They turn over certain percentage
to the Maharajah, and sell the re-
mainder for temple revenue.
Eyes. There's rumor the mine
is dangerous.
Good God, mani They don't lei
anyone near the mine-not even the
Maharajah!"
Provision has been made fo,
that, sir"
The Resident squirmed. "Well
take care that your" he selected
word; he used it tartly: "-spie.
| don't make trouble"
Norwood returned to the city. The
new street lights had been turned
on. There was a swarm of hominl
traffic - bullock carts, camels
droves of pedestrians, scandalousl,
noisy and decrepit autos. NORWOOD
stood on sort of traffic island il
mid-street-an oasis of palms witt
an ancient fountain and one big glar
ing arc-light. He could see the or
/ derly bringing the horses; he Nigh
just as well wait for them.
Threading its way through tht
traffic in the direction of the palace
there came one of those old-fash
ioned carriages in which zenana la
dies take the air. 1t was magnifi
Gently horsed. Two mounted mer
rode ahead to clear the way, anc
they were followed by two runner.
armed with sticks. Two men il
splendid livery on the box. Two
footmen on platform behind the
carriage. Two more horsemer
bringing up the rear.
AS the carriage drew near Nor
wood, a terrifically noisy truck
frightened the horses. Almost a
the same moment, two elephant;
loomed into view from side street
The horses plunged. The driver hac
hard work to control them. The car
riage swayed violently. The right
front wheel struck the curb, close
to Norwood. The shock jerked oper
the door. The electric arc-ligh'
shone in, revealing the occupants
The coachman reined the horses tt
standstill, shouting to the footmer
to seize their heads.
| Diamonds, pearls, zephyry silker
saris of the hue of Himalayan dawn
Two women. The older, stout one
| raised a fan to hide her face. L
was the other who held Norwood
| spellbound.
She was young. She was full o.
laughter. She had mocking, excita
BILE, generous eyes that looked wilc
to lose their innocence and revel II
what shouldn't be, but is, and is