Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, September 30, 1899, Page 6

( CHAPTER XVI. (Continued.) “Sir John Malcolm’s murderer?” re feated Lord Singleton. “You know jim?” George and Edward made a gesture of astonishment. “You. have discovered him ,Doorgal?’ questioned Djella, who appeared ex- a by most violent curiosity. “Yes.” “Speak quickly, then—speak quick- gr “The assassin!” cried Lord Singleton, “who is he?” “Doorgal lowered his eyes, and an- ewered: “St is the son of his victim! George Malcolm!” A simultaneous cry from George and Edward succeeded to this overwhelm- tag, unlooked-for aceisation. Djelia turned abruptly, with the air of a woman who feels the sudden sting et a serpent. Adeep frown gathered -@m her brow, and she murmured: “Ah, he was there!” Hut the frown, almost instantly, banished. Her features resumed thei aatural expression. “After all,” she said to herself, “what. maatters it?” The rajah, his head erect, in an atti- tude of defiance, locked steadily at George Malcolm. Edward, unable to repress his indig- mation, took two steps toward hiu exying: “What do you dare to affirm?” “It is folly,” stammered the governor. “ft is absurd,” added the French phy- sician. Djella was the last to speak. “Deorgal,” she said, “absolute con- wietion is necessary in an accusation so terrible. Do you fully realize what you are doing?” The lips of the rajah half-parted, George gave him no time to utter a aound. “Pardon, my lord governor! Pardon, sprincess!” he said, commanding silence by an imperious gesture. “It is I alone whom the prince aceuses. It is I afene, then, who must answer. You permit, my lord?” "be governor bowed assent. “Be seated, prince,” continued Sir Geergs, and in speaking, he thrust for- ward an easy chair. “It is only the ac- eesed who should stand.” r ed, beyond doubt, by these where the most powerful irony was masked under the most exquisite politeness, Doorgal, haughty and dis- dainfnl, passed before George Malcol sd himself in the chair thus It is !” cried Edward. “You cused!" said it, and repeat it,” an- ge, fixedly regarding Door- gal, “since the rajah accuses me!” Bella judged it suitable to interfere, and did so in this manner: “This absurd accusation—why dis- seuss it? Why remember it? You are got, and could not be guilty!” George bowed. “hanks, madame,” he said, “but I have already expressed the wish to be my own lawyer.” Then, to Doorgal: “You are of high rank, sir, and your mace is the old race of the masters of Asia. Your weight is not bowed be meath the weight of the heavy diadem cwhich your ancestors bore. I am but am obscure English subject. My father wea but a simple gentleman, who had cousecrated his life to great duties, which he fulfilled with ardent convic- tion. Between you and him, prince, difference of caste and inequality of foertune would appear to create an abyss. You have then known and feved him well, t6 have thus taken his revenge to heart, and so quickly to have discovered the guilty one.” “Yes,” Doorgal replied, firmly. “L Simew John Malcolm; I loved him, and wish to revenge him.” “And this is your sole motive?” “No, not so. I wish, besides, to prove ‘ty a new and irrefutable proof, that I ami the sincere and Joyal ally of the Kast India Company.” “And you prove it by aceusing me?” “f prove it by delivering to English fustice the assassin of an Englishman!” “And this assassin, it is I—it is I, George Malcolm. i “It is you.” “You are sure of it?” “ bave proof of it.” “Proof!” exclaimed Edward, Singleton, Dieudonne, and Djella. “My brother, my brother! Defend yourself!” cried Edward. George took his hand, saying: “In my father’s name, I command to keep silent. Prince, turning to rgai, “you pretend to have proof of my erime?” “Clear, terrible and overwhelming. ad “Witnesses, perhaps?” “Yes, witnesses.” Notwithstanding George Malcolm’s express and reiterated entreaty, Djella @zgain interrupted. “Take care, Doorgal, she said, almost supplicatingly. Do you not fear that he witnesses, so quickly evoked, either deceive themselves or you? Can you defy falsehood?” fhe rajah .steadily regarded the * princess, who not once lowered her -@yes, then he repeated: Lord “Falsehood! Why should they lie? They could not hate George Malcolm. ‘hey hardly knew him—” “But,” interrupted George, “semeone might be found to whose interest it might be made for them to lie.” Inveluntarily the rajah started; but at once recovered himself, and asked, with hauteur: “What then?” Seeing him start, George smiled, and, saluting him with most cutting irony, he answered: “Reassureé yourself, prince. T accuse no one. I only ask to know the arges which, if you must be be- od, weigh upon and seem to crush cried Djella; for, doubtless, a single word from you will suffice to over: throw this monstrous accusation.” George saluted Djella as he had sa- luted Doorgal. “Madome,” h you defend me “Because,” she answered, with pas- sion—“because John Malcolm was the soul of honor, virtue and loyalty, and I cannot believe that his son should be a wretched assassin—an infamous parri- cide!” Feorge regarded the princess with involuntary defiance. He had fought against the suspicion which presented itself before him—a suspicion which now grew and assumed in his mind ev- lery aspect of certainty. At the end of a moment he replied: “Thanks, madame! You judge me rightly. The crime imputed to me is one which rarely, thank God, stains humanity!” Irrepressible tears suffocated him. He hid his face in his hands, murmur- : ing: *Parricide! I! Oh, my God!” The violent emotion completely dom- d, “why, then, do | “Ara you are right, Sir George!” | | inating him was of short duration. He ‘regained his entire self-control, and, turning toward Doorgal Sahib, he asked: “What impious motive would have induced me, according to you, to have committed this most execrable deed?” ir, I neither know nor desire to know. I might answer you that the depths of the human heart are impenetrable, that ambition leads to most cowardly actions, and that John Malcolm’s assassin may have been in haste to inherit his office and his wealth. But to what good? I am not a magistrate. I am an accuser. the crime, and it only, and I consider my duty as accomplished, my work as finished, when I have surrendered the guilty one!” George bowed. “Nothing more just,” he said. “Only permit me to ask you if it is a chance denunciation which unfolded to you the secret, or active research which has led you to the positive certainty which you affirm?” “I am the Rajah Doorgal Sahib,” re- plied the prince, with pride. “I admin- ister my domains and render jus L have the right and duty to know the crimes committed in my principality, and it is within its limits that Sir John Macolm’s blood has flowed.” “Prince.” said George, with sarcasm he took no pains to conceal, “the East India Company police assurediy would be unrivaled if the Rajah Doorgal Sa- hib would do it the honor te place it- self at their head.” The blow was rude. Doorgal did not receive it without a frown. He rose, and threatening, and cried et to whom you spe nswered, smiling: “On the contra I remember and admire!” Then, changing h’'s tone, he continued: “My father was bent upon jon at once ver and very erous—that of ¢ death suse of whe to you to attr ibute my father to revenge or terror, and to a his murder those unknown de e at England in the dark?” o—since I accuse you.” “And you, perhaps, even deny the ex- istence of this organization?” Deorgal, who had resumed his seat, agait. rose, and said, in a haughty tone: “I really believe, sir, that you ques ticn me!” George struck, with his closed fist the desk near which he stool. “Yes—by heaven! Yes! Sir, I ques tion you!” he cried. “What would you have?” “My life, my honor, are in peril! 1 defend the one, and I wish to save the other!” “Try!” replied Doorgal Sahib. CHAPTER XVIII. An expression of mournful perplexi- ty oyerspread the countenance of the princess. “What!” she exclaimed. “On both sides such an assurance! It is horrible —it is terrible! Where is the lie? where the error? My head reels! ‘This must be “finished, prince!” she added, addressing herself to Doorgal. “You spoke of witnesses. What are they?’ “They are here,” answered the rajah. “Ah, they are here!” cried George, in almost a fierce tone. “Well, I invoke them! Let them come! I await them!” “And you are right, Sir George,” re- sumed Djella. “Their voice will be your justification. I have a presenti- ment of it. The truth must be ours. I wish, I exact it, for I am also princess, and in this country my right is su preme. If the accusation is calumni- ous, I will be the first to demand just- ice ‘against whomsoever echoes it!” Doorgal turned toward Lord Single- ton. “My lord, you permit?” he asked. The governor assenting, he left his seat, crossed the full width of the room, and, lifting the portiere, made a sign to Djaal, murmuring: “Let them come in.” Then he returned to his place. George threw upon the rajah and the princess a searching look as he thought: I see | “Why does he accuse me? does she defend me?” Djaal then introduced two Hindoos, who advanced before Lord Singleton, and_stood in an attitude of profound humility. George instantly recognized them. They were the escort provided by Ka- zil for the excursion into the Cemetery of the Elephants. “Yes,” he said, “it is they. Night be- fore last, they left Benares with me, and we were not separated until my return. Listen to me, my men, and answer me according to your con- sciences. I am accused of an infamous crime, of which the thought fills me with horrcr. I am accused of murder- ing John Malcolm, my father, in the Cemetery of the Elephants. Tell them how one of you entered with me into this sinister place, and how we found the dead body of my poor father.” Why -op lasytodz .z tftshrdl rdirdlurdlu h Djella quickly continued his en- treaty. speaking with a singular in- tonation: “Tell it, my friends, and your words will suffice to lighten all regarding George Malcolm’s innocence and the rajal’s false accusations.” “Yes, speak!” commanded Lord Sin- gleon. “But first, and by the most re- | vered of your gods, take oath to speak | the truth and nothing but the truth.” “By the name of Siva and the veil of Bowhanie, I swear it, murmured the first Hindoo. . “And you?” asked Lord Singleton, of the other. “By the power of Vishnu and the ring of the goddess, I swear!” he an swered. “And now,” continued the governor, |“I await your testimony. You who have first sworn, first speak. A Ohediently, the man, in a low, tural voice, thus began: “On the night of the murder, the man we see here, who calls himself George Malcolm, wished to penetrate into the sacred precincts of the Ceme- tery of the Elephants, notwithstanding our opposition and our prayer—” “Liar!” cried George, indignantly. “We refused to follow the stranger,” said the second Hindoo, “for the idol \ of the god Siva inspires us with uncon qerable terror.” “My lord! my lord!” said our hero, who felt his pulse beat to madness and a veil gather over h's vision.’ In heay- en’s name, do not listen to these men! Do not believe them! they lie!” “Let them speak, Sir George.” replied the governor. “Your turn will come.” He motioned them to continue. “The stranger entered alone in the cemetery,” said one. “At the expira- tion of a moment we heard a cry of agony.” George wrung his hands, stammer- ing: “Ah, the infamous ones!” “Curiosity then*overcame our cow- ardice,” continued the Hindoo, with hypocritical assurance. “We wished to see, and entering in our turn the sa- cred valley, we found Sir George bend- ing over a person, still breathing, and drawing from a mortal wound a bloody dagger.” Edward hid his face in his hands. “It is horrible!” he thought—“it is herrible!’ but his dry lips could utter no sound. George, pale as death, turned toward the men. “The dagger which kiiled my fath- | er,” he said, an Indian dagger. You know it well, “Indian daggers are not rare in Be- * replied the accusing witness, ind-v Wwe had remarked this one during in the sttanger’s belt.” rlwind of rage passed over gut: | t is not true!” he cried cowards and you are lia “Why should these men tioned Doorgal. “My lord governor,” said the princ- “falsehood cannot prevail. The testimony of these men must. be strengthened, although they have ta en an oath no Hindoo ever violates. Question Kazil.. Kazil, the boy twice saved by John and George Malcolm. inly, will speak the truth.” sot for a minute, not a second, was he separated from me, and that he was the first to discover the dead.” Lord Singleton commanded Kazil' to be brought. “He is here, my lord,’ answered Djaal, introducing the child, in whose lear he whispered: “Bowmhanie commands. Remember silence or death!” “What torture!” murmured Edward. “It is beyond human endurance!” } “Kazil, my boy,” asked George, ab most entreatingly, “speak and defena me. When I entered the cemetery, did you not enter with me?’ Kazil had his head bowed. A sigh escaped his lipe. This sigh seemed to shape itself into the answer “No.” “What!” exclaimed the princess, in | surprise—‘what! yeu, also, accuse him?” Edward appeared converted into a statue. The fac? of the physician ex- pressed consternation. Lord Singleton alone remained impassive, at least in appearance. George wiped some drops of cold per- spiration from his brew as he contin- ued: “You have not understood my ques- ticn, child. Do you remember? You walked before. I did not leave you.” Two great tears hung on Kazil’s lashes and rolled down his cheeks. He regained control by a powerful effort, and answered in a dull voice: tenyit? At this moment speech returned to Edward. “My brother!” he sobbed, “what does he say? All—all accuse you!” Djella made a gesture of indigna- tien. “But it is infamous!” she cried. Our hero threw upon her a glance eold and cutting as the point of a sword, and answered: “Is it not, madame?" | “George Malcolm,” demanded Lord | yes,” assented George, eagerly. “Question Kazil, my lord. In him rj lave confidence. He will tell you that “The master was alone in the ceme- ' Singleton, “what have you to say in your defense?” “At this moment, my lord, not 2 word.” Before the surprise caused by these words had disappeared, Lord Singleton touched the bell -to summon Djaal, who instantly appeared, “Order Lieutenant Midley to report to me at once, with an escort of Sepoys for the prisoner!” he commanded. Djaal went out. Edward sprang toward the governor. “Midley! The Sepoys! The prison- er!” he replied. “My lord! .my lord! you believe my brother guilty, then?” By an imperious and eloquent gest- ure, the governor impcsed_ silence. Then, turning toward the rajah, he said: “Thanks for your revelations, prince. You have denounced a great culprit. It remains to me now to deliver him to English justice!” “English justice!” princess to herself, with a smile of irony. “You are wrong, my lord. It is to mine that you condemn him!” “My lord governor,” replied Doorgal, “when England needs my testimony, she will find me ready “Thanks, prince. I expected no less from you.” “Ah, Sir George! Sir George!” said Djella, in heartrending accents. “1, who believed in you! How you have deceived me!” At this instant the door opened, and Midley appeared with a detachment of Sepoys. “At your orders, my lord,” he said, saluting in military fashion. “Lieutenant Midley, Sir George Mal- colm is your prisoner!” Inexpressible surprise was depicted on the young officer’s face, but disci- pline commanded silence. Lord Singleton continued: “You will conduct Sir George Mal- colm to the fortress, where you will enroll him.” “Yes, my lord.” “On your head you answer to me for him.” “Yes, my lord.” “Your arm, Doorgal!” said the prine- murmured the | lead me to my palace.” “It is an. honor, princess.” George saluted the governor, passe‘! proudly before Djella and Doorgal, and, placing himself in the midst of the Sepoys, he said to them, in the tone of a chief who commanded an es- eort of honor: “March on, gentlemen.” The soldiers of the company massed themselves about the prisoner, and the little troop Ieft the palace of the Presi- dency. Edward and Dieudonne prepared to follow George, but Lord Singleton de- tained them. “Remain, gentlemen, I beg of you. I must speak with you.” CHAPTER XIX. Upon the Ianding of the. grand stair- case leading to the main entrance of the palace of the Presidency, three mem waited. They were Saugor, Hol- ear and the Fakir Souniancy. Djella amd Doorgal approached them. The princess whispered a few words to Saugor, and gave to Holear and the | fakir some mysterious instructions. A. fierce joy depicted itself on the countenanees of the three Hindoos, who separated, emel taking a different direction, while the princess and the rajah together entered the carriage whiely awa‘ted them. Djella’s: first words, on finding her- self alone with the prinee, were these: “Accept my congratulations, Door- gal. Yow have outdone yourself. I ex- pected’ no more: I searcely hoped as much: “So you are conte: nt with me?" (é Yow think r playe a my role well?” “{ believe that the comedians of the i theaters im Paris and Londen not lave surpassed you. Your assurance was superb, and your affirm- any Ss elothed themselves with such iv of authority that I absolutely asked myself if George Maleolm were not, indeed,. the: guilty one.” “And yet, princess, I swear to yov my purt was difficult to play. Wher George Malcolm’s eyes met mine, his gaze appeared to penetrate into my very soul. Superhuman effort was ne- cessary not to turn away my head, and T would a thousand times prefer to meet this mam pistol or dagger in hand.” “Against @ foe all is legitimate; and sinee George Malcolm is an English- man, he is our foe,” answered Djella. “It is not for this alone that 1 hate him,” murmured Doorgal Sahib. The princess regarded him with sur- prise, as she asked: “You have some personal hatred against him?” “Yes.” “What has he, then, done to you?” “Fate has plaeed him an obstacle in my path.” “I do not understand you. Between Doorgal Sahib, the rajah, and George Malcclm, what ean there possibly be in common? And how may he, an ob- scure foreigner, be an obstacle in the path of a prince?’ “George Malcolm is the betrothed of Agnes Burtell.” “Well, what matters this to you?” “T love her!” | A crimson flush colored Djella’s pale cheek, and her black eyes sparkled. “Ah!” she cried, “you love her?” “With madness, with frenzy! Judge, then; if to possess her there were no other ehoice but to make her my wife, I would not hesitate.” “Tt is folly.” “I know it; when one loves do they use reason? Before meeting this gir, I knew passion, but I knew not love? To-day, for one kiss from her lips, I would sacrifice all!” The princess, her eyes veiled, her gaze wandering into space, let Doorgal speak on, while she murmured to her- self: “It is Agnes Burtell who stole from me George Malcolm’s heart. Because | he loved her, he repulsed me—me, the | Princess Djella, who would stoop to offer him, with my heart, a throne? Ah, Kali and Bowhanie protect me! My vengeance will be more perfect, nore complete than I had yet dreamed possible!” ‘Then she said,-aloud: “T understand you, Doorgal; ana, since this is so, you have indeed right to hate George Malcolm.” An expression of ferocity overspread the countenance of the rajah, | ess to the rajah. “I depend upon you to { | “Yes, I hate him!” he crie*#—“T hate him with all my strength, with all the | Singleton is as power of my soul! I shali be able nei- ther to sleep, eat nor smile until he shall have ceased to live!” “Then be Lappy, Dcorgal, for Geetge Malcolm is about to die!” The rajah shook his head, “I coubt it,” he murmured. “Why? Have you net succeeded?” “Yes. But will the work complete itself? George Malcolm is in the hands of the English, and Lord Single- ton has declared that English justice should be dealt him. My accusation, falling like a thunderbolt, produced its effect; but can it sustain serious ex- amination? George Malcolm will dis- cuss our proofs before a jury of his own countrymen; he will defend him- self; he will exhausce eloquence in be- half of his innocence; his accents will be irresistible, and the edifice so labo- riously constructed will crumble about our heads.” “You believe this, Doorgal?” “Yes, I believe and fear it.” Djella burst into a fit of laughter, nervous, ringing and diabolical. The rajah looked at her wonderingly. Divining what passed in his mind, she shook her head and answered: “No, Doorgal, I have not lost my rea- son. It is you who fail to understand me, or that my plans are infallible, and I leave nothing to chance. Your ap- prekensicns would have good ground, if I had not fcreseen this case and ta} em my precautions. The English jury i will not try George Malcolm, ‘for George Malcolm is already cou demned—condemned by me, Doorgal, and my decree is without appeal. Within one hour Agnes Burtell’s be- trothed will be dead!” “Dead?” echoed Doorgal. “Yes” “Remember that he is in the midst of Sepoys, under the guard of an En- glish officer, who answers for him to the governor.” “What matters it? I have said that he dies, and he will die?” ; “Upom whom has the fatal blow de- “No one and every ome. It is the perple of Benares. who will exeeutée | Justice.” | “How?” “Listen. To-day they celebrate the feast of Jagernath. In a few minutes volved?” {the escort of the prisoner will eross the grand square and the bridge span- ning the Ganges: It will here meet the escort of our'ged. Saugor, Holear and the fakir have received my orders, and at this iistant they earry them out. Do yow understand, Doorgal? “I begin to: understand.” irom my" palace windows we shalt see this spectacie; and your heart will beat to intoxication, for Agnes Burtell will be a widow before she bas b&en a wife.” A smilé of cruel joy played about the vajah’s lips:. Just then thie-oarriage stopped. The | pair entered the*palace;, the great door closed behind’ them: When, from ttie vestibule of the pal- ace of the Presidéncy,. Stop beheld his master pass out! im tte midst of am es- cort of armed’ Sépoys; led By Lieuten- ant Midley, drawm sword im hamd, le own senses, and stammering, “Sir George a prisoner!” le started forward to approach: him; but! as George, with an imperious gesture, put lis firger to pelled to obey, lowered head, tachment. Some seconds later; tle mysterious interview took place:at the head of the staircase between Djella and Holcar, Saugor and the fakir.. But to th ;terview had been an unseen wit corcealed behind a column, nelmed By grief and yemorse, Was enabled to see all) although he could not hearva single word.* But his used, and when the with swelling heart and to the place, determiting the three Hindoos, ly in the diftection ing the Ganges.. carriage, he left his hiding nct to lose sight of who w ed rapid- of. the bridge cross- 'The Ganges divides im two almost equal parts the city of Benares. The lace of ‘the: Presidency and. the fort- are located at the city’s two ex- nes. Consequentiy,. to go from one to the other it is absolutelely neces- sary to cross tlie river. ‘The escort: off the pris leading: to the: grand square. A great crowd surged. in the same direction, drawn as by an irresistible attractiom toward’ one off tlie poimts where the magnificent processiom of Jagernath would pass. The joyous: and noisy crowd viewed the prisoner witih # ¢uriosity which had in it nothing: inimical A few im terchanged some rapid words in Hin- doo with the Sepoys (who are native soldiers), then, completely careless to all’ outward appearances, passed on. After havihg tnaversed half the dis- tance which. separated the palace from the bridge, Lieutenant Midley left the liead of his: command and walked back to, the prisoner:. “Sir George,” he murmured, “believe me, I most deeply regret to have been chosen for the painful duty I at this moment perform.” “Regret nothing, lieutenant,” replied the civiliam’s son; “you but do your duty, and' perform it with the courtesy of a true gentleman.” “May F be permitted, Sir George, to ask you: @ question?” “Certainly, lieutenant; an@ whatso- ever its: mature, I promise to reply.” “Why, then, has Lord Singleton put you under arrest and commanded me to conduet you to the fortress?” “Beeause the rajah, Doorgal Sahib, has niade against me a most horrible accusation. He denounces me to the justice of my country as being the naurderer of my father.” “You a parricide!” cried Midley, in- dignantly. “The wretch has_ lied!” Here is my hand, Sir George. Permit me to press yours, and thus prove to you that so odious and infamous a car umny can in nowise alter the high es- teem in which I have ever held you.” George took the young officer’s hana and pressed it warmly, as he an- swered simply: “Thanks, lievtenant—thanks, with all my heart.” “But how is it possible,” said Mid- ley, “that Lord Singleton, who has given so many proofs cf his intelli- gence am? clearhoadedness, could have placed faith in this monstrous and ab- {surd accusation?” his lips to command’ silence, Stop, com- | followed after the de- | nd the rajah had stepped in- } ner marched } through: the narrow,, windimg streets [ “Unless I ant greatly deceived, Lord foundly assured of my innoegence as Of his own.” “Bur why, then—” Midley hesitated. “Wiry should he have had me arrest- ed?” finished George. “Yes.” “He alone might answer properly to this question. But I may tell you this —he did not order my arrest of him- self. I asked him to do so.” * The Heutenznt saw that some mys- tery lay in these latter words, and asked no mere. * For several minutes the escort, im- peded by the crowd, had moyed more slowly, until it had now ceased to ad- vance. Midley left his prisoner and ad- vanced to the head of the column, to learn the cause of the delay. Its cause was very simple. During his conversation with the prisoner, the crowd had become more and more dense, and now it so ob- structed the street that to proceed at all was difficult and almost impossible. A singular circumstance was that the crowd had cased to surge towara the square, where curfosity should hav e impel'ed them, bat remained sta- and the people who composed pered to each other, appearing to designate George Malcolm. There was neither elamor nor threats. The multitude seemed e¢alm; but it was one of the class whieh pre- cedes the storm. Midley ordered the wer officer of the Sepoys to divide, gently but per- sistently, the massed’ people, and to render a free passage possible. The officer obeyed. He pronouneed, in guttural tones, a sort off harangue, utterly unintelligible to: the two Eu- ropeans, and the crowd’ divided itself into two living walls,. between whieh the escort passed; but’ at tlie end of twenty-five or thirty steps a halt was again necessary. Midley, greatly impatient. begam to be uneasy at these delays: Tt ssemed to him the attitude of the Hindoos, at first indifferent, had graduaily become hostile, and*that the eyes fixed upom the prisoner were fierce and angry. He would have given much to have found himself, with George Maicolm, safe behind the solid iron gates of the fortress. Happily, he thought he could rely upon his men. Consequently, he reissued’ his: orders to his officer, who recommenced’ his harangue, and the crowd opened # passage, as it had before done,.to close a moment after. One would have said that’ all’ the men obeyed a signal, and that‘ this sig- nal meant to retard the arrival’ of the escort on the square until a:given mo- ment. George himself paid no attention’ to what was passing about him. He thought but of, his murdered fatter; and the revenge he would draw down upon the assassins. Suddenly a cannon-shot sounded afar off, and a hundred thousand voices rose in a clamor. ‘The salute imdi¢ated the moment when the procession of Jagernath entered the Temple off Kail, and, commencing its march, announced) the beginning of the fete. One of the balconies of the princess; at first doubted the evidence of his | superbly festooned in purple ‘silk, em- broidered in gold, attracted every eye. The salute had scarcely sounded, when the princess and the rajah appearedion: the baleony. “The moment mured Djella. “The minutes to me seem hours,” an- swered Poorgal. Meantime, in the square, Kazil, lost in the erowd, fcllowed in the steps of those dedicated to the service of the prineess.. He lost sight of Saugory only to draw near to Holear. His* susp cions and terrors increased, but’ up to: s instant he could know: nething: inly. “T have seen Saugor whisper-to many ef the brothers of the sacred work,” said the child to himself. “I have heard Holear pronounce George Mal- eolm’s name. What do they plot?’ How may I find out?’ Hardly had he put to himself’ this question when he was jostled against by s# native, dressed in rage. He turned and recognized the: fakit, ae- costing & tall Hindoo. Souninancy had failed to see the child who, crouched behind him, heard this terrible dia logue: “Well?” asked the fakir. “Tt is done, answered the other.’” “Have our brothers rendered! the passage impracticable?” P¥ess “Fhey ‘have not forgotten) tite sige nal?” “No.” “It is well. The escort and ‘the pris- oner will reach the square when it fs given, and will have no time tnengage in a combat on the bridge.’ “It is here, then, that the: Hngiish- man must die?” “Yes—under the gaze of those whe have commanded his death.’ “An!” murmured Kazil, trembling im every limb. ‘If the Sepoys make resistanece?* questioned the fellah. “They will not resist, exeept im ap- pearance,” answered the fella “They are forewarned, tlen?* “Yes. At the word ‘Bowhanie” whis- pered in their ear, they will lower their weapons and let the justice of the people take its course.” “But the English officer—he may re- sist.” “His resistance would), be met by death.” “It is well." “I will give the signal’by ome word— ‘Siva!’ And now go. Svatter through. out the crowrd, and yepeat these com- mands.” The Hindoo made a gesture of sub- mission amd disappeared in the thick- est of the group. “No,” answered Kazil, “% cannot let him die. But what shall F do to save him? How reach him. Hew forewaru the officer? And, besides, the Sepoys are treacherous. Yet, after condemn- ing him, I must rescue him. I must save him or myself die.” He tried to glide in the direction of the prisoner’s guard, but was violently repulsed, as the salutes from the can. non were fired again and again, and approaches!" mur ready a living mass of beings. “The retinue of the god!” thundered every volee. “Jagernath! Jagernath?* Saugor, Holcar, the fakir and the int. tiated, passed and repassed among the several groups, muttering: “Your hands on your daggers, Be maces f Ale ie a the crowd pressed upon the street, ale