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

| pleased 10 see you. he has docu-
ment-"
81 have asked to see the Maha-
rance"
"Oh, impossiblel Captain Nor
wood, please. We have been very
unconventional of late, but
Here comes the servant" said
Norwood.
The servant delivered his mes
sage: the chamberlain accompanied
Norwood upstairs as far as the ante
room that led into the Maharajah's
| study:
81 am sure His Highncss will be
| glad to see you, because of that new
document he has discovered. The at
tendant in the anteroom viii an
nounce you. Hee-heel You may be-
lieve it or not, but / wouldn't dare
| to do it.
Don't mention my name," said
| Norwood. =
81 wouldn't think of it. The doc
tor and I are not cronies. / win
| simply say someone went in. I be-
lieve you will be admitted. His
Highness spoke of you. I think he
really wants to see you"
The chamberlain left him. Nor
wood was announced. The Punjabi
stamp salesman was dismissed,
smiling as if he had done good busi-
ness. The door closed, and Nor
wood was alone with the Mahara-
| jah.
AT last the Maharajah spoke: ST
am pleased to receive you, Captain
| Norwood, even though the hour is
unusual. You came to speak to me
about the-ah-boundary dispute? I
have news. Since / saw you, my
secretary has found a document
which seems to me to make the
priests case SO ridiculous that"
"Oh, expect to find in the favor
of the priests, Your Highness. Those
documents may interest lawyers. !
am only concerned with the bound
ary line. I have been accused of
accepting bribe from the
| priests"
"Oh! Captain Norwood, you aston
ish me. Who is your accuser?"
ST supposed you already knew. He
will tell you AS a matter of fact, I
called on Her Highness the Mahara-
nee. want to speak to Miss Lynn
Harding. / have reason to believe
that without the Maharanee's advice
she might refuse to see me until
perhaps tomorrow. I need to see
her tonight. I hoped to persuade
the Maharanee to arrange the inter-
view, but she refused, so I came tc
you instead"
"Is it urgent? Won't you please be
seated? Won't you read this docu-
ment?"
"Your Highness, do you think I
would disturb you at this time of
night if it wasn't urgent!"
"Oh, well, possibly an interview
can be arranged. I will enquire
presently. Won't you read that doc
| ument?"
Norwood smiled agreeably: 'I
will. AS you have reason to know,
sir, I'm bit slow at reading this
ancient script"
81 wouldn't care to let that out of
my possession" said the Mahara-
jah.
| "Suits me-" Norwood answered.
ST ask nothing better than to sit
here for the time being. You viii
learn why, later"
The Maharajah looked up sharply,
but Norwood raised the document
between them. He couldn't see Nor
woods face:
"You flatter me-" he said after a
moment.
At last came knock at the door.
The Maharajah tapped the gong
with his fingers and the Bengali doc
tor entered, making his suavest pro-
the Maharaiah's personal attendant,
carrying big blue goblet on a sill
yer tray. The Bengali eyed Nor
! wood with horror.
"You are late" said the Mahara-
| jah. "Why are you late?"
''I was delayed, your Highness.
t"
Norwood had laid down the docu-
ment. He rose from his chair. He
stepped behind the Bengali. He held
his right fist ready for emergency
and seized the goblet in his left hand.
The Bengai stepped back, out of
reach of the fist. The Maharajah
made a sudden exclamation, not un-
like sleeps bleat. The white-clad
servant backed away. showing the
whites of his eyes. Norwood held
the goblet toward the Bengali:
Drink i'll" he commanded.
The Bengali was speechless. 1t
was several seconds before he could
stammer: "Sir, are you mad?"
The Maharajah, with his elbows
on the desk, and one hand within
reach of the drumstick of the golden
gong, leaned forward, staring.
Norwood spoke again quite calm
ly. But it was a deadly calm. It
frightened the Bengali:
"You are, aren't you, the doctor
who poisoned Mrs. Harding's
toast?"
"Sir, beware whom you slanderl"
The Bengali appealed to the Maha-
rajah: "Is Your Highness pleased
to hear me slandered by a mad
man who is known to have been
bribed by"
Norwood interrupted: "Cut thatl
You heard me. Drink it!'
/ ssrrb az sc J;c IJ;obpoccs tonic