OCR Text |
Show 7 . ,r THE WEEKLY REFLEX. KAYSVILLE. UTAH ' r The enthusiasm of the secretary seemed equal to bis own; before he left he pronounced a malediction upon British rule and painted the prospects of a free India in such glowing j The League of Lost Causes .... y ' ' "3 ardor was They parted with a and in the understanding that they were to meet on the following night at the astrologer's again awakened. warm hand-clasp house, Paul was Admitted to the little Hinshanty by an doo, dressed in a dirty white loin cloth and turban of the same Indeter- The Misplaced Dream tents. two-stor- y evil-lookin- g minate hue. He followed the Hindoo Into an apartment on the ground floor and at stumbled into Almost complete obscur- the ity, except for the glow of a amall Jam's palace for that afternoon. Much brazier In one corner, in which- - - The ancient capital of the Moguls stretched away beneath him, mile after mile of mean and squalid' buildings, relieved here and there by the splendid orb of temple or marble But )t was not at the na minaret tire city Paul looked; rather at the mushroom town which had sprung up almost overnight, with Its acres of canvas and high scaffolding. King George and Queen Mary, were to be crowned in their magnificent pavilion en the third morning, when all the feudatory chiefs of would present themselves before them to pledge their loyalty. It was the first time that a reigning British sovereign had set foot within the boundaries of his Indian empire. And the cause of this long journey was known to every one. India was seething with disaffection, so that It required the presence of the to strike home into the Imagination of the natives something of the power of the British sway. Paul's mission had been suddenly determined on. The League of Lost Causes, as it was popularly termed, sitting at Its headquarters, had resolved that Englands prestige must be shattered in the East, that, out of her difficulties, something might be gained, The league spun webs within webs; no stroke was planned but had some bearing upon its ultimate ends: the restoration of the monarchical Ideal among the peoples and the overthrow of democracy. And England, as the leader of the democratic nations of Europe, was hated perhaps most bitterly by those who directed the league. Jean Rosny, , ifa secretary, had called on Paul In Paris and outlined the situation. Desperate as the chance appears," he said, it requires only determinato effect our tion and purpose. The British power is tottering; India will never willingly Bee a king from overseas crowned in tbe sacred capital of the Moguls. We have secured the adhesion of the most powerful of the feudatory princes the Jam of Nagshipur. He commands thirty millions of subjects as many as the population of all Italy, The native troops look to him as their er and will follow him. When he stands before King George and Queen Mary, then, instead of pledging his loyalty, he will address their native bodyguard, order them into arrest, and himself pluck the crown from the British sovereign's head and place it on his own, Delhi will acclaim him emperor, and all India will be ablaze with rebellion. "Now, my dear Paul," Rosny had the Jam, Continued, unfortunately who alone can (Commit this action with the certainly Of success Is vacillating. Educated at Oxford, he has something of an Englishman's loyalty to his emperor, or rather, let us say, . .he realises tho might -- of - England's power. But the thought of dominion has dazzled him., .He can be persuaded. You will go, then, to his palace at Delhi and communicate with him through his chief officer. Sing, our Indian representative. Together you will overcome the Jam's reluctance. And to' prevent all possibility of failure 1 may tell you that, out of the millions which yon have placed at the disposal of the league, we have devoted nearly $500,-0- 0 to this purpose. And now, Paul. 1 may speak upon a, subject more, to your heart than even this magnificent opportunity to overthrow the power of England la the East I will speak as man to man and not as the league's western secretary. I am not blind to the perception f your ultimate desires; yod lore Mademoiselle, as we have agreed to term her the mysterious, unknown woman who visited you in America and pledged you and your millions to our cause. Yon feel that we are king-emper- -- . Presently Paul's eye became accustomed to the darkness. He saw the dim figure of the old astrologer clearly outlined now, and the Jam, seated motionless in his chair, and Ramchundra at his side. The princes lethargy seemed to indicate that the drug was beginning to take effect on.him. Presently the astrologer beckoned to the three men to draw up their chairs. They did so. Paul had expected that the old man would address them in his own language, of which he understood not a wordy instead,' he began speaking in excellent English, glancing at a glass crystal which he held in his hand. The heavens are favorable," he began, in a low, croaking "utterance. Your project is already assured of success. Look Into the crystal! He addressed himself to the Jam, who mumbled lethargically. Hls secretary took the glass and placed It in hls hand. It lay there for an Instant and then crashed down to the floor, rolling, with uncanny precision, directly to the feet of the astrologer, and remaining there. Sir! pleaded Ramchundra. Will you deign to look Into the crystal?" No answer came, except a stertorous snore. The Jam slept in his chair, hls eyes wide open, his hands limp at hls - side. Satisfied that his ruler wascom pletely under the Influence of the drug, Ramchundra leaped to his feet and hls face underwent a remarkable metamorphosis.- - Ha struck a match terms that Pauls own Being tie Reaunik A J rtalarts f Paul Lame. Amricu BiHiouin (Copyright, 191X bT W. O. Chapman.) A.UL LAKE stood on tbfe Jam has determined height above Delhi, look upon this throw.1 Paul had an appointment lng down upon a city ol! ' -- Ram-shund- H pro test ra remained to be done. The disbursement of the Immense sum of money which had been devoted to the enterprise lay In the hands of Ramchundra, but It was Lanes duty to supervise all the details of the scheme. He was especially perplexed because It was Impossible to witness a rehearsal of the Durbar, especially, of the Coronation ceremony. With one so vacillating as the Jam was known to be, there was always the fear that the psychological moment would , be allowed to paas, that the Indian prince, overawed by thejnagnlflcence of the scene, would faiT to strike," and bat the latent hostility of the crowd toward England would be converted Jnto a genuine enthusiasm for their foreign ruler. His visit to the Jam did not prove productive of much confidence. The prince was a fat man, approaching middle life, and evidently more adapted to the enjoyment of his placid and protected sovereignty than to heroic measures. For a long time only generalities were discussed; eaclf time that Paul approached the subject of his visit the Jam cast a terrified glance toward. Ramchundra as though to beseech him to change the topic of conversation. At last Paul left in despair; he came to the conclusion that the prinhe did not mean to keep his part in the bargain and could not be courses for - camels flags, roped-of- f and elephants, and its circles of seats for the spectators. The Jam, clad in the robes of empire, was at List resolved to make his coup at the psychological moment So much he had learned at an interview with Sing, a Sikh of high lineage, who, speaking in flawless English, dilated upon the possibilities of the scheme. Think of it, Mr. Lane," he said" as fcla eyes flashed, a continentof three hundred million souls . dominated by seventy thousand English troops! Why, we shall sweep them away as the wind sweeps the threshing floor. But first we need the man. "And the Ram-chund- ra - . white-bearde- d Ram-chnndr- figures of men riding, camels and elephants, and white forest of tents. He ottered an exclamation ofaazement, and the astrologers soothing tones fell on his eabT Have no fear," said the old, This is not magic, crooning voice. nor any device of the Evil One. It is nothing but a projection of your own thoughts, mirrored upon the glass, and is a trick well known in many western lands. Look, now! Look closely, before the prince awakes!" It is merely a series of mind images," eaid the secretary, watching Note them well, Mr. Paul curiously. to all intent, a drees this for Is, Lane, rehearsal of the ceremony." Paul leaned back in his chair-anstretched out his limbs luxuriously. All sense of strangeness had departed; he felt only a blissful ease, mingled with which was a sense of ntter petce, as though all his fears and indecisions had yielded to the knowledge of some secret power .within, him which made success & eefUlfiiy.II looked into the glass. He saw the white city of tents, the gathering spectators. How real they appeared! He could even distinguish d last moment,' he said. .He handed it. ... Ramchundra. You that,-wh- en tomaton. He is lilte he obeys all orders unquestioningly. For the inhibition of the processes of ratiocination leaves the mind in a state to carry out the one idea which has been placed in it: You understand me? Good! Well, then, his highness the Jam, when under the influence of this drug, will be told exactly what he is to do and will set about to do it He will conquer an emplrein a dream &ndiwa'ke to find himself an em- peror." Skeptical as he was by nature, Paul was forced to admit to himself that the Idea was not wholly impracticable, At any rate the apathy of the Jam had made desperate measures essential . Suddenly, out of the crowd, a face burned itself into Pauls heart like a live ember a beautiful, imperious face, a woman's face, set sternly In unutterable contempt as the eyes met hls. It was the face of the beautiful unknown, whom he had so dramatically met in America and who had sent him upon his quest. '"She stared up at him from among the distinguished guests assembled under the royal canopy; and as he met those eyes Paul flung up his arms and cried. And the moving picture quivered and vanished out of the crystal. Paul opened hls eyes. . It was evening and the sun hung, s ball of fire, low down In the west The tamarisks quivered in the evening breeze. Somewhere a nightingale was slnging.jyh.q astrologer ..the secretary, the sleeping prince were gone. He was lying under a bench on the top tier of the deserted amphitheater. Opposite him wars-bar- e" stretch of ground, where formerly the, royal tent had been. And everywhere tents were being packed, wagons loaded, troops' deploying over the ground. The city of tents was gone. Paul stumbled down the almost endless stairs toward the city street His head ached and his limbs would hardly respond to the promptings of hir wilL. When at last he reached the level of the street he noticed that his clothes were damp, as though after a rain, and that he was dishevelled as a tramp. A passing policeman eyed him suspiciously, and then, seeing that he apthe expressions of amazed reverence peared to be a gentleman, admonished and excitement as the elephants slow- him: Youd better go home, my man. ly lumbered past, .each with HU maWTiat are yon doing here the day after and hout, each clothed In trapping of the show, anyway? Where did you silk and gold, with silver tips upon come from? iU massive tusks. The show? Faul cried. The coroas one of the procession now nation? When Is it to be? . and following among the long line of Tb other laughed." Yesterday," he watchers. A company of soldiers said curtly. Of course there may be flashed into sight; Sikhs, with curled beards, spotlessly another one in thirty years or so, hut my advice to you is, go home! clad", holding their rifles suddenly to the attention as a mounted general Paul stood still, staring into he po licemans face. Then, thrusting his rode past. He bore some message, hands through his hair, he set off evidently, for a thrill seemed to pass through the crowd, and then then, in wildly toward his quarters. He saw all clearly now. Hls a cloud of dust, preceded by mounted dragged as well as the cup Jams. It was men and followed by a whole coterie real, then, all that he had seen, and of attendants. King George and Queen Mary passed in ytheir carriage, while in his stupor he had attended the Durdeafening acclamations rent the air. bar and sat in his appointed place, while the Sikh officer waited in vain Darkness! The scene had changed for the signal that did not come. Ram As in the picture show, when a new chnndra Sing had outwitted both his film passes before the rays, so this masters and pocketed their money. new scene flashed into clear But the face of the girl had that precision before Pauls eyes. He was as been more than a dream? If she were .eated, he had arranged to sit, upon the in Delhi, how should he face her, how most tier of the great amphitheater top- confess of the reason for hie missions wooden benches that rose from the failure? ground opposite the pavilion in which he flung himself upIhe coronatiori was to occur. Around onDisconsolately his bed. All was lost, all that ha him were thousands upon thousands, had hoped and dreamed. He had been 'waiting in deep silence for the hoodwinked and had displayed his incfinal act of the great ceremony. The had .He lost wealth and apability. king waa crowned, with his consort, honor, and hfir of Winning the hopes and they awaited the approach of the one whom more. than. alL he prized, feudal pieces to pledge their loyalty. else la the worlds ' Important a part! have heard of hashish?'' asked Ramchundra Sing. Assuredly. It Is a very mysterious drug, especially when blended with certain other narcotics, the knowledge of which is confined to some of the Indian practitioners. For half an hour after swallowing it one feels no effects at all; g -- You are thinking, 'Suppose the prince changes his mind again at the "Drugged! exclaimed Paul - Lane But how can a drugged man play so d the monarchs robe Paul. gins." And slowly up the dusty carpet-deckeroad w hich led to the royal dais there came, one by one, the feudal princelings, and one by one they bowed low before these rulers of alien race and. placing their hands upon their hearts ' theyjrowed submission. Suddenly Paul became aware that be held a handkerchief in his hand His mind rushed back through a fog of bewildering dreams. V.hat d;d this portend? This handkerchief did not an empire hang upon the fall, of it He looked down. There, far under him, he saw the commander of the Sikh troops, seated upon his horse at the head of his men. As he looked the face of the man projected itself cleanly upon his perceptions. He was look-inupward, straining hig eyes to cateh the flutter of white. , And all at once the voice of the astrologer seemed to break the silence. You must not drop that handkerchief, he croaked, or the whole pic ture will fade away. Remember, this is nothing bat a vision. The reality comes tomorrow." Ptul crumpled up the handkerchief and hid it in his sleeve Far beneath him he stiH saw the Sikh officer look upward; he fancied that he detected an appearance of uneasiness on the part of the man. His horse and, in checking it, he pulled the reins so taut that it was flung back on its haunches. Why was he" attempting to attract Pauls attention? A eep, indrawn exclamation answered the question. As every head craned forward and every heart beat hard Paul, instinctively followingThe gaze of the crowd, perceived the Jam' of Nagshipur advance slowly in his turn toward the royal dais. Though chief of all the princes, he had been held almost to the last before being permitted to pledge his allegiance; it was a subtle slight devised by the minds of the rulers of the country .in return for the Jams supposed proclivities. The people, per fectly aware of the meaning of this maneuver, watched him, with, ..bated breath. Upon his action depended the fate of the empire. Would he pledge himself or would he fling defiance into the faces of his English rulers? - The Jam advanced uneasily; evidently almost overcome by nervousness. and glancing as he advanced toward the Sikh officer, who, with his back turned to him as he sat hls horse, could see nothing, but kept his gaze fixed steadfastly upon the top tier of the amphitheater. Suddenly a sigh ran through the assembled multitudes." They quivered, as wheat quivers in a summer breeze. For with a gesture which might have been either of despair or the Jam had thrown himself into the dust before the dais and kissed antt-Englis- h received a visit from Ramchundra Which materially altered the situation. I had a talk last night with his highness," began the secretary in mellifluous English. He wants to consult his astrologer before finally committing himself. You are to meet us there." He gave Paul an address In a little blind alley leading out of the Grand Bazar. As the astrologer has been amply bribed," he continued, smiling, I do not doubt that he will consider the omens favorable. Now, Mr. Lane," he went on. "It is understood that at the moment when his highness approaches the dais to make his obeisance you, who will be watching from the top tier of seats Immediately in front of the pavilion, fill drop your handkerchief. The signal will be seen by the commander of the Sikhs and will indicate that all is in readiness. As his highness arrests the king and queen the .commander will swiftly move hls troops to encircle them, cutting off all access on the part of the natives. A revolt will break out, bis highness will rule in Delhi,, and English rule is shattered forever throughout India. - He stopped and looked 'Craftily at Well yeB, admitted Paul. Mr,. Lane," said the secretary,, in an apparent spontaneous outburst of confidence, you have" never fully trusted me in this affair. Now don't o explain your 'position f "a feecrof ary-ta prince somehow gets into the habit of reading hls fellow-mefairly, accume tell let Well, sir, you that rately. I, too, have a good deal at stake, for 1 would assuredly rather be the prime minister of an Indian empire than a mere secretary to a prlncIpalityT So I have taken a certain step to clinch the matter. I have seen the astrologer in private and have arranged that the prince's coffee shall be drugged when we three meet there tomorrow night, twelve hours before the Durbar be- a, hand-Then- trusted. On the next morning, however, Paul after given-Icertain quin-- ' tllizing your services and your mil- titles and combinations, it possesses lions without the intention to admit the peculiar property of destroying you into our councils. Rest assured the perception of time. For instance, that Mademoiselle has followed each to the man under hashish, a thousand effort of yours with interest and ap- years may pass, or seem to pass. In a preciation, and that, if you succeed in moment,, and conversely also.. Tbla is this endeavor,' you shall at least learn by the way. The most important efher identity. That much I guarantee, fect of the drugs which the astrologer and the rest shall come after. Is to administer is that one under This much Paul recalled as he their effects is able to go about hls hoked down upon the Durbar cltv. business apparently in full possession with tents and pavilions and flying bf his senses. Actually, he is. an aui wss burning. Somebody came forward and grasped hls hand. It was Ramchundra, and he led Paul to a large, ornate chair, beneath the email aperture high In the w all which nerved for a window. In the chair sat a fat man in a long cloak, now thrown open carelessly. This was the Jam of Nagshipur, and beneath hls outer garment Paul could see the brilliant uniform of hls order, which his religion forbade him to cast aside when he left the enclosure of the palace. The Jam grunted and, paying Paul no further attention, fixed ..hls , gaze yp?a - the brazier. And now", behind the tiny, leaping flame, Paul saw, with startling suddenness, the head and shoulders of a old man emerge from It will appear, during the hundredth part of a second?" Time is not measured by moments. answered the astrologer and stooped and picked up the crystal. He handed it to . whoplaeed it in Pauls to Pauls utter astonishment, out of the clear glass flashed forth the obscurity. It was the astrologer, whom, hidden as he was in the shadows, Paul had not at first seen He was incredibly old, and his aspect was incredibly eviL In the deep furrows stamped into his face one might hav read the story of a life giveu.up low ickedness. Paul shuddered at the sight of the man, but could not turn his eyes from this hideous apparition. Evidently there was more than incense in" the bowl, for the smell of fragrant coffee now assailed Paul's nostnlsi - and - the secretary, -- stepping toward the Jam, proffered him a tiny cup of the liquid. The prince grunted and began sipping noisily. The other cup Ramchundra handed to Paul; in the darkness Paul could make out'a meaning look upon the secretarys face. The roan's hand, too, shook as he handed it to him. Despite their understanding Paul seemed to sense treachery in the air. But there was nothing to be done now, nor any going baclO-Hhad trusted himself to Ramchundra and must follow the path on which he had entered. He tasted the coffee cautiously; there was no flavor or odor cf any foreign drug, and hashish,, he had understood, was intensely bitter. Smiling at his fears, he set the empty cup upon an Inlaid table, and saw Ramchundra obsequiously take the other empty cup from the Jam. And now there remained nothing but to wait until the drug took effect on the unstable ruler. g and lit a small silver lamp upon the table, .then turned to Paul . "The first part of our task is accomplished. he said briskly. Now, my friends, we have no time to lose. In a few moments the immediate the drug-wi- ll wear off. It will be your task to instil into our sovereign's empty unusually empty mind the understanding of what his duty is tomorrow. Address feim in as peremptory a fashion as you please and have no .fear;, though he will seem to be a man in full possession of his senses, be will in reality be nothing more than an automaton. Paul nodded vaguely. The dimness, the scent of the incense, the. uncanniness of his surroundings had reduced him, also, to a lethargic condition. He could summon no resolution to his aid. He heard the astrologer's voice from afar off. Our friend is somewhat wearied," he said. Perhaps, if I w ere to phow him the events of the Durbar, as they will actually occur, photographed upon the crystal by the projective power of thought, he will be able to concen- of trate better. "A good Idea!" exclaimed the secreHis highness, my beloved mas- tary. ter, will not awake for a. little while, And I believe," he .added to the astrol oger, that yon can show our friend a complete panorama of the Durbar, as - white-turbane- d had-bee- n - i |