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Show THE BULLETIN Ruth Wth Spears 4 BY TALBOT MUNDY CHAPTER XXI Continued. Lynn felt in his pocket She laid an automatic on the table: IS "Rundhia." she said, "I didn't The Bengali backed away from think that of you." Norwood. He looked three ihadei said the Maharanee. "Rundhia!" The waa He paler. trembling. had She unveiled her face. the right hand seized Lynn spoke again: "Rundhia, you drumitick of the golden gong. He came to offer Captain Norwood raised it something else than that didn't you. "No," said Norwood. "Not yet. Where is it?" please, Your Highness." Rundhia snarled: "Tell him to put The Maharajah stared. He seemed his own pistol on the desk." uncertain whether to feel flattered "I haven't one," said Norwood. He or offended. He laid down the drum- reached for Rundhla's pistol. Jerked stick and resumed the tapping on it open and broke it the desk with his fingernails: There came a knock at the door. "I become nervous," he said, The Maharanee rearranged her veil. "without my tonic. This is very Norwood stepped aside, keeping bis bad for my nerves. Captain Nor- eyes on Rundhia, who was biting his wood, how did you know about lip. The Maharajah tapped the gong this?" with his fingers. The door opened. Norwood answered without look- The anteroom attendant spoke rap-Idl- y in his native tongue. The Maing at him. He was watching the servant: harajah looked like a frightened Bengali and the white-cla- d "I didn't know. I guessed it Both sheep. He nodded, speechless. The of you, go and stand over in that attendant bowed in the Resident and corner, with your backs to the closed the door behind him. Norwood, still holding the goblet in his wall!" The servant obeyed promptly. He left hand, reopened the door and went down on his knees in the cor- Jerked his head at the Bengali: "Get out!" he commanded. ner. He put his hands together and The Resident stared. He almost held them in front of his face. The Bengali backed away slowly, watch- forgot to bow to the Maharajah. He ing Norwood's eyes. He backed until he reached a bookcase. Suddenly he snatched a stamp album and hurled it at the goblet Norwood caught the album in his right hand. by one leaf of the cover. He set the goblet on the desk, without spill' lng more than two or three drops. Then he closed the album carefully and gave it to the Maharajah. The Maharajah petted It, stroked it: "My collection of Cape of Good Hopesl My triangular black!" He glared at the Bengali. "You vandal! Now I know you are guilty! Why did you throw it?" The Bengali had recovered some of his presence of mind: "It was at him I threw it By his touch he has defiled your drinking goblet! He if I suspect him of hava bribe-takeing tampered with your tonic. What has he put into it? I advise Your Highness not to taste It!" The door behind the screen opened, closed again, and the Maharanee appeared. Norwood bowed to her, but she took no notice of him. She went straight to the Maharajah, knelt beside his chair, and He grumbled at her, whispered. sotto voce. She continued whisper"I have never defiled myself ing. At last he nodded. She stroked with whiskey," said the Mahahis right hand, murmured traditional phrases of respect and left the rajah. f room. She didn't even glance at the watched the Bengali leave the room. Bengali. "I need my tonic," said the Ma- Then he looked at Norwood again and raised his eyebrows. harajah. "I am becoming more Norwood spoke sotto voce: "Did nervous each minute." man follow you?" my a should be soda and "Whiskey said the Resident "Yes." good prescription for that" "All right then. The doctor won't Norwood. "I'd have brought a flash if I had any sense. I didn't think get far." "You surprise us," said the Maof it" "We are overburdened harajah. with defiled "I have never myself with Joy by this visit But what does whiskey," said the Maharajah. Norwood kept his eye on the Ben- it mean?" The Resident looked comfortless: gali: "If you had never drunk any- '1 am at a loss for an answer! thing worse than a scotch and soda, Norwood sent me a sort of they wouldn't be betting in Kadur Captain SOS. He" midbazaar that you'll be dead by "May I speak?" asked Norwood. night Any money on it doctorf The Resident answered: "I think odds What did you get?" The door behind the screen opened you'd better, if His Highness" "Yes. please," said the Maharaagain. The Maharanee reappeared, veiled. She was followed by Lynn, jah. "Rundhia," said Norwood. He and then Rundhla. Rundhia looked startled. He shot one penetrating held up the blue goblet in his left almost as if he were going to glance at the Bengali, then at Nor- hand, acwood, then at the Maharajah. He drink a toast: "Let's hear your What cusation. have you against to obvious effort re made a very me?" cover Rundhia eyed him sullenly: "Captain Norwood," said the Ma "Nothing." he answered. "I don't to wish did see haranee. "why you know you." me?" Norwood smiled: "Very cautious "About this," said Norwood. He of you, Rundhia. I am really alive." hadn't time to reply decently. He The Resident also smiled. He star had noticed that Rundhia was trying to signal the Bengali through the tled everyone by saying: "Rundhia, there is a conversation opening under the desk, so he got in the way. As soon as Rundhia on record. Of course, only my verhad stood up again, Norwood spoke: sion of it But I refused, ycu re "Rundhia, here's something for member, to treat it as confidential. your bruised face. Come and drink I made a memorandum of it" Rundhia swallowed what was left it" Lynn stared with parted lips from of his dignity. He was looking beatone man to the other. Rundhia en. He spoke as if the insolence glanced at her; he looked stung. had all oozed out of him: Norwood hadn't scared, sullen. "I forget what I said. I with looked at Lynn once since she en- draw it anyhow. I have already tered the room. written this." The Maharajah pointed the gong He groped In his inside pocket drumstick at the Bengali: "Stand avoiding Lynn's eyes, although Lynn still," he commanded. "If you are looked sympathetic. He produced unable to stand, you may sit on the an envelope, strode past Lynn and floor where you are." offered it to Norwood. Norwood "Rundhia," said Norwood, "how waved it aside and jerked us head about a trial by ordeal? You have toward the Resident accused me, behind my back. I acThe Resident accepted the enve cuse you, to your face, of an atand bowed to the Maharajah: lope, tempt to poison His Highness. What You permit me?" do you say? Shall we share this "By all means. I am fascinated." drink together? You drink hall I'U was watching the Resident Lynn drink what's left" He had opened the envelope. He "You are the last man I would read the letter. He passed It to drink with," Rundhia retorted. Norwood: Norwood laughed. He thrust his "Is this satisfactory to you, Nor right hand Into his tunic. "Steady, wood?" Rundhia! Keep your hand away "It's entirely up to you. sir. I from your pocket I have you cov- accept it if you da" ered. Lynn! Reach into Rundhla's The Resident stepped forward and and put his pistol on the laid the letter in front of the Mahadesk!" rajah: "Will your Highness please Lynn stared resentful, alarmed; read that and, if you see fit witpuzzled. Parted lips. Wide blue ness it? I have a gallant officer here eyes. Frowning. in need of a rebuttal of some stcret Norwood repeated the order: accusations that might ruin his "Lynn, do as I tell you!" career." r! iid n. hip-pock- et OTAUOT The Maharajah read, stared at the Resident stared at Rundhia, stared at Norwood, reached for his fountain pen and signed. Rundhia recovered a bit of his insolence. "Are you satisfied?" he demanded. "No," said Norwood. "Not yet" He reached for the goblet raised it sniffed it smiled at Rundhia. Then he looked straight at Lynn. Lynn was watching the Maharanee, but she seemed conscious of Norwood's stare. Rundhia whispered to her, but she took no notice. "Rundhia," said Norwood, "I will ask you two questions. Answer whichever you please. What is in this goblet?" The Maharanee pulled herself to her feet picked up her cushion and went and knelt at the Maharajah's left hand, so that she could watch Rundhia: "Rundhia," she said, "answer!" Rundhia said nothing; he glared at Norwood. Lynn turned in her chair to watch Rundhla's face. Nor wood spoke again: "You don't answer the first one? Very well, here's the other: why did you sign that retraction? I 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 Norwood and spoke with such constrained emotion that her voice sounded fiercely angry: "Captain Norwood, I asked 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 m he checked it He looked straight In her eyes for several sec onds before he looked at Rundhia again: "Substitute question, Rundhia! You didn't answer that one. How much did you charge for this retraction of your accusation against me?" Rundhia had had time to consider. He sneered: "I wrote that as an act of magnanimity. Was it wasted on you?" Norwood glanced quickly at Lynn. "No, no, Rundhia, it wasn't wasted. But ten us all what Is in this goblet I could have it analyzed. Perhaps you would prefer to consult that Bengali doctor before you answer? Question a bit awkward? Your trouble is that you can't guess how much I know, can you? Can you guess why I let the Bengali 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 retraction of your accusation against me? I 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 Rundhia to tell it Rundhia, choose. X won't wait all night Account for the contents of this goblet or else answer: what promise have you exactedfrom whom?" The Maharanee spoke in a strained voice: "Answer him, Rundhia." Rundhia was silent Lynn stared. He avoided her eyes. "If I should have to mention this goblet again." said Norwood. "I will ask His Highness the Maharajah to summon the guard. What promise have you exacted from whom as the price of your signing that retraction?" "There was no price." The Maharanee was looking at Lynn. She spoke suddenly: "Run MUNDY as desired. A Jscrcw DMPfm " Krl hooks or lc-Eg- 1 by strip ch of wood nailed next to the ceiling of the bay and extending 6 inches over the walls at the sides as 11 lustrated will solve the problem. The cranes for the side drapes may be screwed to this strip, and the rods for the pinch pleated WNU SERVICE dhia, speak like a man! There was a promise!" Rundhia stared at his feet He had the grace to speak as if he were ashamed. He almost mumbled: "I release her from the promise." Norwood looked at Lynn steadily: "Do you accept that?" "No I refuse. Is this your vengeance? It's cruel Doesn't the re traction satisfy you?" Norwood smiled at Lynn and made a reassuring gesture. Rundhia 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. It reached her by mistake in the wrong envelope." "I confirm thaV said the Resi- eJ? r valance fastened to it NOTE: Readers who are now using Sewing Books No. 1, 2 and 3 will be happy to learn that No. 4 is ready for mailing; as well as the 10 cent editions of No. 1, 2 and S. Mrs. Spears has just made quilt block patterns for three designs selected from her favorite-EarlAmerican quilts. You may have these patterns FREE with your order for four books. Price of books 10 cents each postpaid. Set of three quilt block patterns without books 10 cents. Send orders to Mrs. Spears, Drawer 10, 7 ITH the holidays almost at hand everyone seems to be giving curtains a thought. An enthusiastic reader of Sewing Book No. 3 writes, "I have a bay window in my dining room that has always been a problem to curtain. Right now I would like to make pinch pleated drapes of figured Bedford Hills, New York. damask to hang from cranes to TV the floor. I would also like a valance." The sketch at the lower right dent reveals The space CLOTHESPIN the Km Lynn stood up and waited for Run- between the difficulty. mm top of the windows dhia to speak. He didn't KM and the top of the bay made it NOSE "Rundhia," she said, "did you impossible to hang the draperies hear that?" Then, turning: "Thank eeUi Saaartkaal asfra MP -- with Lufaa-t- i ThM from you. Captain Norwood." cough drop, sat omly klp "Just a misunderstanding," Nor- Given Took the Words soottK ttirnaf. but hInn wood answered. '1 will explain it with manthol later." wntf braath, feaq Right Out of His Mouth Lynn shook her head. Her eyes met his but she made no reply. She The dashing young traveler with left the room by the door behind the lady-killreputation seated 50. H!f I HI the screen. The Maharanee followed himself at the table and put on his MeeHiel Ores Cough her. Silence. most seductive smile as the pretty The Resident wiped his face with waitress approached him. the handkerchief: "Steady, Nor"Nice day, little girl," he said. Right to Give wood," he said. "Steady." He spoke "It is," she replied. "And so The great aloud to the Maharajah: privilege of posseswas yesterday, and my name is sion is the to bestow. "Does Your HIghess wish" right and I'm pretty, and have "I wish for tranquillity I I do not Gwen, blue lovely eyes, and I've been care to know any morel" here quite a long time, and it's fjsaaaS "Carry on!" said the Resident not a bad place, and I m not too "Careful!" nice a girl to be working here, Norwood raised the goblet this and my brother is cook in this time in his right hand: "You don't place, and was once a profesdeserve this, Rundhia. You're a sional boxer. Now, what is your blackguard." He glanced at the Res- order roast beef, roast lamb, ident: "You agree, sir?" stew, or liver and bacon?" The Resident nodded. The Maharajah stared, fascinated. Norwood spilled the contents of the goblet on the floor. The Maharajah turned to Run- mm vapor-wM- ch, LUDEN'S er in rtN h pop CAMELS dhia: "Leave the room. Never return." Rundhia moved toward the door behind the screen, but the Resident jumped out of his chair. Rundhia began to hurry. Norwood was too quick. He shoved the screen in Rundhla's way. It banged against the door and the noise almost made the Maharajah scream. "Your Highness," said the Resi dent "in Prince Rundhla's presence. I take this opportunity to Inform you that I have written to His Majesty's advisers, strongly recommending them to exercise their veto in the matter of Prince Rundhla's succession to the throne of Kadur." "You have already written?" '1 have mailed the letter." "I resign," said Rundhia sullenly. "You and your veto may go to the devil." "May I speak to Your Highness atone?" asked the Resident The Maharajah scowled at Rundhia: "Go out that way!" He pointed to the door into the anteroom. Rundhia walked out Norwood followed. He overtook Rundhia at the head of the stairs, and Rundhia turned about and faced him: '1 sincerely regret" he remarked, looking straight Into Norwood's eyes, "that the men who fired at you. missed." "Yes, you had rotten luck, Rundhia. What will you do go to Europe? The Riviera? That's crowded who insisted with on hitting below the belt D'you know, Rundhia, if I had even suspected you of having put one over on Lynn Harding, I would have let you hang. You know, they hang even princes who play at your game." He laughed. "No, Rundhia, no. You will walk ahead of me down the stairs. I know that trick." BURN SLOWER AND GIVE ME EXTRA SMOKING PERfftCK. MILDER WITH A BETTER TASTEJ Jl rwgeof the Uothar KALFH QUX.DAHL SB7 aad MSB wtaM of tha Optagwc MORE PLEASURE PER PUFF-MO- RE PUFFS PER PACK PERI might-have-bee- (TO BE COXTIXVED) Penny tor Peony Your Best Cigarette Buy English Abbey Built 800 Years Ago Now Up for Sale Rufford Abbey. English estate, is being put up for sale, London papers report The estate contains 18,700 acres and includes the abbey, founded in the reign of King Stephen, partly rebuilt in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth centuries and an ancient deer park of more than 500 acres. It also includes the whole or greater part of the villages and parishes of Old Ollerton, Eakring, Wellow, Bllsthorpe and Ompton, as well as parts of Walesby, Egmanton. h Farnsfleld, Kirton, ld Blid-wort- and Tuxford. The estate comprises about 70 farms, 38 small holdings, four licensed houses. Including the famous Hop Pole at Ollerton, many private residences and shops, nearly 2,000 acres of woods and plantations, and hundreds of cottages. One of the most famous estates In the dukeries, Rufford abbey nev er has been in the market before, and its forthcoming sale will be one of the outstanding transactions of recent years in real estate. Lands at Rufford were recorded long before Domesday, but Its history as an ab bey began in 1148, when Gilbert de Gaunt Earl of Lincoln, founded an abbey there, dedicated it to the honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and colonized it with Cistercian monks from Rievaulx abbey. The abbey lands increased, and from the earliest times the monks enjoyed special privileges in the surrounding Forest of Sherwood. The abbots became rich enough to entertain royalty, and September 18, 1290, Rufford received the first of many subsequent royal visitors; Edward I passed a night there and sealed variety of documents. The rich abbey attracted the attention of Henry VIII's commissioners when he was considering the dissolution of the monasteries and in 1537 he annexed the abbey and gave It and all its lands to George, earl of Shrewsbury, with whose descendants it ever since has remained. Thus began Rufford abbey's 400-yeexistence as a country house. 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