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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-03-09 07:59:48 -0700 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-03-09 07:59:48 -0700 |
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diff --git a/40142-h/40142-h.htm b/40142-h/40142-h.htm index 3b42ba8..8d4d396 100644 --- a/40142-h/40142-h.htm +++ b/40142-h/40142-h.htm @@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ <meta name="Publisher" content="William Heinemann"> <meta name="Date" content="1900"> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <style type="text/css"> body {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; background-color:#FFFFFF;} @@ -98,42 +98,7 @@ p.hang2 {margin-left:3em; text-indent:0em;} </head> <body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Miss Stuart's Legacy, by Flora Annie Steel - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Miss Stuart's Legacy - -Author: Flora Annie Steel - -Release Date: July 4, 2012 [EBook #40142] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISS STUART'S LEGACY *** - - - - -Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by -Google Books (University of California) - - - - - - -</pre> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40142 ***</div> <br> <br> @@ -421,7 +386,7 @@ his voice, if there were anything else he could do for her.</p> breakfast somewhere? I don't see a refreshment-room, and I hate going by myself."</p> -<p class="normal">"There is the <i>dâk</i> bungalow, but," he hesitated for an instant and +<p class="normal">"There is the <i>dâk</i> bungalow, but," he hesitated for an instant and stood looking at her, as if making up his mind about something; then calling some coolies he bade them take up the luggage. "This way please, Miss Stuart; you will have to walk about half a mile, but you @@ -856,7 +821,7 @@ remain a more potent spell to awaken memory than any elaborate pictures made by pen or pencil.</p> <p class="normal">On this particular morning quite a little crowd was collected round -the doorway leading to the house of one Shunker Dâs, usurer, +the doorway leading to the house of one Shunker Dâs, usurer, contractor, and honorary magistrate; a man who combined those three occupations into one unceasing manufacture of money. In his hands pice turned to annas, annas to rupees, and rupees in their turn to fat. For @@ -864,24 +829,24 @@ there is no little truth in the assertion that the real test of a <i>buniah's</i> (money-lender's) wealth is his weight, and the safest guard for income-tax his girth in inches.</p> -<p class="normal">Nevertheless a skeleton lay hidden under Shunker Dâs's mountain of +<p class="normal">Nevertheless a skeleton lay hidden under Shunker Dâs's mountain of prosperous flesh; a gruesome skeleton whose bones rattled ominously. Between him and the perdition of a sonless death stood but one life; a life so frail that it had only been saved hitherto by the expedient of dressing the priceless boy in petticoats, and so palming him off on the dread Shiva as a girl. At least so said the <i>zenana</i> women, and so -in his inmost heart thought Shunker Dâs, though he was a prime +in his inmost heart thought Shunker Dâs, though he was a prime specimen of enlightened native society. But on that day the fateful first decade during which the Destroyer had reft away so many baby-heirs from the usurer's home was over; and amid countless ceremonies, and much dispensation of alms, the little Nuttu, with his ears and nose pierced like a girl's, had been attired in the <i>pugree</i> -and <i>pyjamas</i> of his sex. Hence the crowd closing in round the Lâlâ's +and <i>pyjamas</i> of his sex. Hence the crowd closing in round the Lâlâ's Calcutta-built barouche which waited for its owner to come out. Hence the number of professional beggars, looking on the whole more fat and well-liking than the workers around them, certainly more so than a small group of women who were peeping charily from the door of the -next house,--a very different house from Shunker Dâs's pretentious +next house,--a very different house from Shunker Dâs's pretentious stucco erection with its blue elephants and mottled tigers frescoed round the top storey, and a railway train, flanked by two caricatures of the British soldier, over the courtyard doorway. This was a tall, @@ -901,17 +866,17 @@ couple of English soldiers who came tramping along shoulder to shoulder, utterly unconcerned and unsympathetic; their Glengarry caps set at the same angle, the very pipes in their mouths having a drilled appearance. Such a quiet, orderly crowd it was; not even becoming -audible when Shunker Dâs appeared with little Nuttu, the hero of the +audible when Shunker Dâs appeared with little Nuttu, the hero of the day, who in a coat of the same brocade as his father's, and a <i>pugree</i> tied in the same fashion, looked a wizened, changeling double of his unwieldy companion. The barouche was brilliant as to varnish, vivid as to red linings, and the bay Australians were the best money could buy; -yet the people, as it passed, took small notice of the Lâlâ, lolling +yet the people, as it passed, took small notice of the Lâlâ, lolling in gorgeous attire against the Berlin-wool-worked cushion which he had bought from the Commissioner's wife at a bazaar in aid of a cathedral. They gave far more attention to a hawk-eyed old man with a cruel, high-bred face, who rode by on a miserable pony, and after returning -the Lâlâ's contemptuous salutation with grave dignity, spat solemnly +the Lâlâ's contemptuous salutation with grave dignity, spat solemnly into the gutter.</p> <p class="normal">This was Mahomed Lateef, who but the day before had put the @@ -924,7 +889,7 @@ into the street, nodded his head cheerfully and muttered "Shunker's father was nobody," over and over again till he fell asleep; to dream perchance of the old order of things.</p> -<p class="normal">Meanwhile the Lâlâ waited his turn for audience at the District +<p class="normal">Meanwhile the Lâlâ waited his turn for audience at the District Officer's bungalow. There were many other aspirants to that honour, seated on a row of cane-bottomed chairs in the verandah, silent, bored, uncomfortable. It is an irony of fate which elevates the chair @@ -934,7 +899,7 @@ clings to it, notably with his legs; those thin legs round whose painful want of contour the tight cotton pantaloons wrinkle all too closely, and which would be so much better tucked away under dignified skirts in true Eastern fashion. But the exotic has a strange -fascination for humanity. Waiting there for his turn, the Lâlâ +fascination for humanity. Waiting there for his turn, the Lâlâ inwardly cursed the Western morality which prevented an immediate and bribe-won entry; but the red-coated badge-wearers knew better than to allow even a munificent shoe-money to interfere with the roster. The @@ -942,8 +907,8 @@ harassed-looking, preoccupied official within had an almost uncanny quickness of perception, so the rupees chinked into their pockets, but produced no effect beyond whining voices and fulsome flattery.</p> -<p class="normal">"Well, Lâlâ-ji! and what do <i>you</i> want?" asked the representative of -British majesty when, at last, Shunker Dâs's most obsequious smile +<p class="normal">"Well, Lâlâ-ji! and what do <i>you</i> want?" asked the representative of +British majesty when, at last, Shunker Dâs's most obsequious smile curled out over his fat face. There was no doubt a certain brutality of directness in the salutation, but it came from a deadly conviction that a request lay at the bottom of every interview, and that duty @@ -958,28 +923,28 @@ it was one which grows visibly, as day by day, and month by month, law and order become of more consequence than truth and equity in the government of India.</p> -<p class="normal">The Lâlâ's tact bade him follow the lead given. "I want, <i>sahib</i>," he -said, "to be made a <i>Rai Bâhâdur</i>."</p> +<p class="normal">The Lâlâ's tact bade him follow the lead given. "I want, <i>sahib</i>," he +said, "to be made a <i>Rai Bâhâdur</i>."</p> -<p class="normal">Now <i>Rai Bâhâdur</i> is an honorific title bestowed by Government for -distinguished service to the State. So without more ado Shunker Dâs +<p class="normal">Now <i>Rai Bâhâdur</i> is an honorific title bestowed by Government for +distinguished service to the State. So without more ado Shunker Dâs detailed his own virtues, totalled up the money expended in public utility, and wound up with an offer of five thousand rupees towards a new Female Hospital. The representative of British majesty drew diagrams on his blotting-paper, and remarked, casually, that he would -certainly convey the Lâlâ's liberal suggestion about the hospital to -the proper authorities; adding his belief that one Puras Râm, who was +certainly convey the Lâlâ's liberal suggestion about the hospital to +the proper authorities; adding his belief that one Puras Râm, who was about to receive the coveted honour, had offered fifteen thousand for the same purpose.</p> <p class="normal">"I will give ten thousand, <i>Huzoor</i>" bid the usurer, with a scowl struggling with his smile; "that will make seventy-five thousand in -all; and Tôta Mull got it for building the big tank that won't hold +all; and TĂ´ta Mull got it for building the big tank that won't hold water. If it cost him fifty thousand, may I eat dirt; and I ought to know for I had the contract. It won't last, <i>Huzoor</i>; I know the stuff that went into it."</p> -<p class="normal">"Tôta Mull had other services."</p> +<p class="normal">"TĂ´ta Mull had other services."</p> <p class="normal">"Other services!" echoed Shunker fumbling in his garments, and producing a printed book tied up in a cotton handkerchief. "See my @@ -993,17 +958,17 @@ likely he was thinking that in those days his ambition had been a reality, and his liver an idea, and that now they had changed places. "I am glad to see your son looking so well," he remarked with pointed irrelevance. "I hear you are to marry him next month, and that -everything is to be on a magnificent scale. Tôta Mull will be quite +everything is to be on a magnificent scale. TĂ´ta Mull will be quite eclipsed; though his boy's wedding cost him sixty-five thousand,--he told me so himself. Accept my best wishes on the occasion."</p> <p class="normal">"<i>Huzoor!</i> I will give fifteen thou--" British majesty rose gravely with the usual intimation of dismissal, and a remark that it was -always gratified at liberality. Shunker Dâs left the presence with his +always gratified at liberality. Shunker Dâs left the presence with his smile thoroughly replaced by a scowl, though his going there had simply been an attempt to save his pocket; for he knew right well that he had not yet filled up the measure of qualification for a <i>Rai -Bâhâdur</i>-ship.</p> +Bâhâdur</i>-ship.</p> <p class="normal">While this interview had been going on, another of a very different nature was taking place outside a bungalow on the other side of the @@ -1025,7 +990,7 @@ bright boy, and will give brains, not blood, to the Sirkar, if I can only get employment for him. So I come to you, who know me and mine."</p> <p class="normal">Philip Marsden laid his hand on the old man's shoulder. "That is true. -Khân <i>sahib</i>. What is it I can do for you?"</p> +Khân <i>sahib</i>. What is it I can do for you?"</p> <p class="normal">"There is a post vacant in the office, <i>Huzoor!</i> It is not much, but a small thing is a great gain in our poor house. The boy could stay at @@ -1034,7 +999,7 @@ thanks to the old mullah, Murghub Admed is a real <i>khush nawis</i> (penman). Persian and Arabic, too, and Euclidus, and Algebra; all a true man should know. If you would ask the <i>sahib</i>."</p> -<p class="normal">"I'll go over now. No, no, <i>Khân sahib!</i> I am too young, and you are +<p class="normal">"I'll go over now. No, no, <i>Khân sahib!</i> I am too young, and you are too old."</p> <p class="normal">But Mahomed Lateef held the stirrup stoutly with lean brown fingers. @@ -1042,7 +1007,7 @@ too old."</p> boys to fight now, and for us to watch and cry 'Allah be with the brave!'"</p> -<p class="normal">So it happened that as Shunker Dâs drove out of the District Officer's +<p class="normal">So it happened that as Shunker Dâs drove out of the District Officer's compound, Major Marsden rode in. Despite his scowl, the usurer stood up and <i>salaamed</i> profusely with both hands, receiving a curt salute in return.</p> @@ -1089,10 +1054,10 @@ Marsden as he rode off.</p> <p class="normal">Meanwhile a third interview, fraught with grave consequences to this story, had just taken place in the Commissariat office whither Shunker -Dâs had driven immediately after his rebuff, with the intention of +Dâs had driven immediately after his rebuff, with the intention of robbing Peter to pay Paul; in other words, of getting hold of some Government contract, out of which he could squeeze the extra rupees -required for the purchase of the <i>Rai Bâhâdur</i>-ship; a proceeding +required for the purchase of the <i>Rai Bâhâdur</i>-ship; a proceeding which commended itself to his revengeful and spiteful brain. As it so happened, he appeared in the very nick of time; for he found Colonel Stuart looking helplessly at a telegram from headquarters, ordering @@ -1109,7 +1074,7 @@ blunted Colonel Stuart's sense of honour towards his equals, it had survived to an altogether illogical extent towards his inferiors. Now his private indebtedness to the usurer was so great that he could not afford to quarrel with him; and this knowledge nurtured a suspicion -that Shunker Dâs made a tool of him, an idea most distasteful both to +that Shunker Dâs made a tool of him, an idea most distasteful both to pride and honour. No mental position is more difficult to analyse than that of a man, who having lost the desire to do the right from a higher motive, clings to it from a lower one. Belle's father, for @@ -1117,7 +1082,7 @@ instance, did not hesitate to borrow cash from monies intrusted to his care; but he would rather not have borrowed it from a man with whom he had official dealings.</p> -<p class="normal">Shunker Dâs, however, knew nothing, and had he known would have +<p class="normal">Shunker Dâs, however, knew nothing, and had he known would have credited little, of this survival of honour. It seemed impossible in his eyes that the innumerable dishonesties of the Faizapore office could exist without the knowledge of its chief. Bribery was to him no @@ -1128,25 +1093,25 @@ the ease with which minor officials extort large sums on pretence of carrying the bribe to the right quarter; and hence again comes, no doubt, many a whispered tale of corruption in high places.</p> -<p class="normal">"I shall lose by this contract, <i>sahib</i>," said the Lâlâ, when the +<p class="normal">"I shall lose by this contract, <i>sahib</i>," said the Lâlâ, when the terms had been arranged; "but I rely on your honour's generous aid in the future. There are big things coming in, when the Protector of the Poor will doubtless remember his old servant, whose life and goods are always at your honour's disposal."</p> -<p class="normal">"I have the highest opinion of,--of your integrity, Lâlâ <i>sahib</i>," +<p class="normal">"I have the highest opinion of,--of your integrity, Lâlâ <i>sahib</i>," replied the Colonel evasively, "and of course shall take it,--I mean your previous services--into consideration, whenever it--it is possible to do so." The word integrity had made him collapse a little, but ere the end of the sentence he had recovered his self-esteem, and with it his pomposity.</p> -<p class="normal">The Lâlâ's crafty face expanded into a smile. "We understand each +<p class="normal">The Lâlâ's crafty face expanded into a smile. "We understand each other, <i>sahib</i>, and if--!" here he dropped his voice to a confidential pitch.</p> <p class="normal">Five minutes after Colonel Stuart's debts had increased by a thousand -rupees, and the Lâlâ was carefully putting away a duly stamped and +rupees, and the Lâlâ was carefully putting away a duly stamped and signed I.O.U. in his pocket-book; not that he assigned any value to it, but because it was part of the game. Without any distinct idea of treachery, he always felt that Lukshmi, the goddess of Fortune, had @@ -1167,13 +1132,13 @@ other means failed.</p> <p class="normal">"Best not, Shunker," sneered a little gold-earringed Rajpoot amongst the crowd, "there's a sepoy in yonder shooting free."</p> -<p class="normal">The Lâlâ sank back among his cushions, green with fear. At the same +<p class="normal">The Lâlâ sank back among his cushions, green with fear. At the same moment an officer in undress uniform rode up as if the street were empty, the crowd making way before him. "What is it, <i>havildar</i> (sergeant)?" he asked sharply, reining up before an open door where a sentry stood with rifle ready.</p> -<p class="normal">"Private Afzul Khân run amuck, <i>Huzoor!</i>"</p> +<p class="normal">"Private Afzul Khân run amuck, <i>Huzoor!</i>"</p> <p class="normal">Major Marsden threw himself from his horse and looked through the door into the little court within. It was empty, but an archway at right @@ -1198,7 +1163,7 @@ comes out alone, shoot him down."</p> <p class="normal">"Allah be with the brave!" muttered one or two of the men, as Philip Marsden turned once more to enter the courtyard. It lay blazing in the sunshine, open and empty; but what of the dim archway tunnelling a row -of buildings into that smaller yard beyond, where Afzul Khân waited +of buildings into that smaller yard beyond, where Afzul Khân waited with murder in his heart, and his finger on the trigger of his rifle? There the Englishman would need all his nerve. It was a rash attempt he was making; he knew that right well, but he had resolved to attempt @@ -1217,7 +1182,7 @@ court boldly. "Lay down your arms!"</p> <p class="normal">The familiar sound died away into silence. It was courage against power, and a life hung on the balance. Then the long gleam of light on -the rifle wavered, disappeared, as Private Afzul Khân stood up and +the rifle wavered, disappeared, as Private Afzul Khân stood up and saluted. "You are a braver man than I, <i>sahib</i>," he said. That was all.</p> @@ -1227,7 +1192,7 @@ men to fall in. Two Englishmen in mufti had ridden up in time for the final tableau; and one of them, nodding his head to the retreating soldiers, said approvingly, "That is what gave, and keeps us India."</p> -<p class="normal">"And that," returned John Raby pointing to Shunker Dâs who with +<p class="normal">"And that," returned John Raby pointing to Shunker Dâs who with renewed arrogance was driving off, "will make us lose it."</p> <p class="normal">"My dear Raby! I thought the moneyed classes--"</p> @@ -1519,13 +1484,13 @@ walking about the winding paths which intersected the barren desert of garden where nothing grew but privet and a few bushes of oleander. This barrenness was not Dame Nature's fault, for just over the other side of the wide white road John Raby's garden was ablaze with -blossom. Trails of Maréchale Niel roses, heavy with great creamy cups, +blossom. Trails of MarĂ©chale Niel roses, heavy with great creamy cups, hung over the low hedge, and a sweet English scent of clove-pinks and mignonette was wafted to her with every soft, fitful gust of wind. She felt desperately inclined to cross the intervening dust into this paradise, and stood quite a long time at the blue gate-posts wondering why a serpent seemed to have crept into her own Eden. The crow's -long-drawn note came regularly from a <i>kuchnâr</i> tree that was sheeted +long-drawn note came regularly from a <i>kuchnâr</i> tree that was sheeted with white geranium-like flowers; the Seven Brothers chattered noisily among the yellow tassels of the cassia, and over head, against the cloudless sky, a wedge-shaped flight of cranes was winging its way @@ -1537,7 +1502,7 @@ striped squirrel became inquisitive over her still figure and began inspection with bushy tail erect and short starts of advance, till it was scared by the clank of bangles and anklets as a group of Hindu women, bearing bunches of flowers and brazen <i>lotahs</i> of milk for -Seetlâs' shrine, came down the road; beside them, in various stages of +Seetlâs' shrine, came down the road; beside them, in various stages of toddle, the little children for whom their mothers were about to beg immunity from small-pox. Of all this again Belle knew nothing; but suddenly, causelessly, it struck her for the first time that she ought @@ -1612,7 +1577,7 @@ must be in love with him without knowing it.</p> <p class="normal">"I don't like Raby," said Mildred, the youngest and least artificial of the sisters. "Jack Carruthers told me the governor had been -dropping a lot of money to him at <i>écarté</i>."</p> +dropping a lot of money to him at <i>Ă©cartĂ©</i>."</p> <p class="normal">"I don't see what you and Mr. Carruthers have to do with father's amusements," flashed out Belle in swift anger. "I suppose he can @@ -1682,7 +1647,7 @@ wise; for Belle played prettily, and he used to sit and listen to her like the lover in Frank Dicksee's <i>Harmony</i>, letting himself drift away on a sea of pleasure or pain, he scarcely knew which. So, one afternoon when they were alone in the house together, she sat down to -the piano and played Schubert's <i>Frühlingslied</i>. The sunshine lay like +the piano and played Schubert's <i>FrĂĽhlingslied</i>. The sunshine lay like cloth of gold outside, the doves cooed ceaselessly, the scent of the roses in John Raby's garden drifted in through the window with the warm wind which stirred the little soft curls on Belle's neck. The @@ -1792,7 +1757,7 @@ other day, and showed regular distrust. I must have good feeling in the office; that's a <i>sine qua non</i>."</p> <p class="normal">"Oh, Dick's got a splendid opinion of himself," broke in Stanley. "He -had the cheek to tell Raby yesterday that he played too much <i>écarté</i> +had the cheek to tell Raby yesterday that he played too much <i>Ă©cartĂ©</i> with--" The speaker remembered his audience too late.</p> <p class="normal">Colonel Stuart grew purple and breathless. "Do you mean to say that @@ -1829,7 +1794,7 @@ something else. What was it, Maud?"</p> worshipped us all. But we know who it is, don't we?"</p> <p class="normal">"How you giggle, girls!" complained Colonel Stuart fretfully. "Belle -never giggles. Dear child, I will teach you <i>écarté</i> this evening. It +never giggles. Dear child, I will teach you <i>Ă©cartĂ©</i> this evening. It will amuse you."</p> <p class="normal">It amused him, which was more to the purpose; in addition it prevented @@ -1843,7 +1808,7 @@ outside."</p> <p class="normal">The scowl, which the sight of the culprit had raised on Colonel Stuart's face, deepened as he read a palpable excuse for not coming -over to play <i>écarté</i>. It seemed inconceivable that Dick's +over to play <i>Ă©cartĂ©</i>. It seemed inconceivable that Dick's remonstrance could have wrought this disappointment; yet even the suggestion was unpleasant. He turned on his nephew only too anxious to find cause of quarrel. It was not hard to find, for Dick was @@ -1946,9 +1911,9 @@ Empire.</p> he had been forced to send his Benjamin to Delhi, there, in a hotbed of vice and corruption, to gain a livelihood by his penmanship. The lad was employed on the staff of a red-hot Mahometan newspaper -entitled "The Light of Islâm," and spent his days in copying blatant +entitled "The Light of Islâm," and spent his days in copying blatant leaders on to the lithographic stones. Nothing could exceed the lofty -tone of "The Light of Islâm." No trace of the old Adam peeped through +tone of "The Light of Islâm." No trace of the old Adam peeped through its exalted sentiments save when it spoke of the Government, or of its Hindu rival "The Patriot." Then the editor took down his dictionary of synonyms, and, looking out all the bad epithets from "abandoned" to @@ -1974,7 +1939,7 @@ themselves hopelessly over the fine words, his mind also became clouded by them. The abuse of language intoxicated him, until moderation seemed to him indifference, and tolerance sympathy. He took to sitting up of nights composing still more turgid denunciations; and -the first time "The Light of Islâm" went forth, bearing not only his +the first time "The Light of Islâm" went forth, bearing not only his hand-writing, but his heart's belief on its pages, he felt that he had found his mission. To think that but four months ago he had wept with disappointment because he was refused the post of statistical writer @@ -1988,18 +1953,18 @@ of the general injustice which set his brain on fire.</p> <p class="normal">"Words! Nothing but words," muttered old Mahomed Lateef as he lay under the solitary <i>nim</i> tree in his courtyard and spelt out "The -Light of Islâm" with the aid of a huge horn-rimmed pair of spectacles. +Light of Islâm" with the aid of a huge horn-rimmed pair of spectacles. "Pish! '<i>The pen is mightier than the sword!</i>' What white-livered fool said that? The boy should not have such water in his veins unless his mother played me false. God knows! women are deceitful, and full of guile."</p> <p class="normal">This was only his habit of thought; he had no intention of casting -aspersions on his much respected wife Fâtma Bibi, who just then +aspersions on his much respected wife Fâtma Bibi, who just then appeared with a hookah full of the rankest tobacco. "I shall send for -the boy, oh Fâtma Bi!" said the stern old domestic tyrant. "He is +the boy, oh Fâtma Bi!" said the stern old domestic tyrant. "He is learning to say more than he dare do, and that I will not have. He -shall come home and do more than he says--ha! ha!" Fâtma Bi laughed +shall come home and do more than he says--ha! ha!" Fâtma Bi laughed too, and clapped her wrinkled hands, while the shy girl, dutifully doing the daughter-in-law's part of cooking, turned her head away to smile lest any one should accuse her of joy because <i>he</i> was coming @@ -2011,7 +1976,7 @@ because the light of their eyes was coming back. And after all the lad refused stoutly to return. He wrote his father a letter, full of the most trite and beautiful sentiments, informing his aged parent that times had changed, the old order given place to the new, and that he -intended to raise the banner of <i>jehâd</i> (religious war) against the +intended to raise the banner of <i>jehâd</i> (religious war) against the infidel. The women cried <i>Bismillah</i>, and Mahomed Lateef, despite his annoyance at the disobedience, could not help, as it were, cocking his ears like an old war-horse. Yet he wrote the lad a warning after his @@ -2020,9 +1985,9 @@ lights, which ran thus:</p> <p class="normal" style="font-size:90%">God and His prophet forbid, oh son of my heart, that I should keep thee back, if, as thou sayest, thou wouldst raise the banner of -<i>jehâd</i>. If a sword be needed, I will send thee mine own friend; +<i>jehâd</i>. If a sword be needed, I will send thee mine own friend; but remember always what the mullah taught thee, nor confound the -three great things,--the Dur-ul-Islâm, the Dur-ul-Husub, and the +three great things,--the Dur-ul-Islâm, the Dur-ul-Husub, and the Dur-ul-Ummun.<a name="div2Ref_02" href="#div2_02"><sup>[2]</sup></a> Have at the Hindu pigs, especially any that bear kindred to Shunker's fat carcase; he hath cheated me rascally, and built a window overlooking my yard for which I shall have the law of @@ -2031,28 +1996,28 @@ scabbard when its sound falls on thine ear, remembering 'tis the House of Protection, and not the House of the Foe. If thou goest to China, as perhaps may befall, seeing the <i>sahibs</i> fight the infidel there, remember to cool thy brother's grave with tears. Meanwhile, play -singlestick with Shâhbâz Khân the Mogul, and if thou canst get the old +singlestick with Shâhbâz Khân the Mogul, and if thou canst get the old Meean <i>sahib</i>, his father, on his legs, put the foils into his hand, rap him over the knuckles once, and he will teach thee more in one minute than his son in five.</p> <br> -<p class="normal">Then the old Syyed lay down on his bed under the <i>nim</i> tree, and Fâtma +<p class="normal">Then the old Syyed lay down on his bed under the <i>nim</i> tree, and Fâtma Bi fanned the mosquitoes from him with a tinsel fan, and talked in whispers to Nasibun, the childless wife, of the deeds their boy was to -do, while Haiyât Bi, the young bride, busy as usual, found time to dry +do, while Haiyât Bi, the young bride, busy as usual, found time to dry her tears unseen. A fire burning dim in one corner of the courtyard was almost eclipsed by the moon riding gloriously in the purple-black sky overhead. From the other side of the high partition wall came the dull throbbing of the <i>dholki</i> (little drum) and an occasional wild -skirling of pipes. The marriage festivities in Shunker Dâs's house had +skirling of pipes. The marriage festivities in Shunker Dâs's house had begun, and every day some ceremony or other had to be gone through, -bringing an excuse for having the <i>marânsunis</i> (female musicians) in +bringing an excuse for having the <i>marânsunis</i> (female musicians) in to play and sing. High up near the roof of the sugar-cake house with its white filigree mouldings gleamed the objectionable window. Within -sat the usurer himself conferring with his jackal, one Râm Lâl, a man +sat the usurer himself conferring with his jackal, one Râm Lâl, a man of small estate but infinite cunning. It was from no desire of -overlooking Mahomed Lateef's women that Shunker Dâs frequented the +overlooking Mahomed Lateef's women that Shunker Dâs frequented the upper chamber. He had other and far more important business on hand, necessitating quiet and the impossibility of being overheard. Even up there the two talked in whispers, and chuckled under their breath; @@ -2266,23 +2231,23 @@ Dick's disappointed face, to help the girl in any way he could. With this the boy professed to be quite content; perhaps he had grasped the fact that Philip Marsden was apt to be better than his word. And indeed a day or two after Dick's departure Marsden took the trouble to -go over and inquire of John Raby what sort of a man Lâlâ Shunker Dâs, +go over and inquire of John Raby what sort of a man Lâlâ Shunker Dâs, the great contractor, was supposed to be.</p> <p class="normal">The young civilian laughed. "Like them all, not to be trusted. Why do you ask?" He broke in on the evasive answer by continuing, "The man is a goldsmith by caste. I suppose you know that in old days they were never allowed in Government service. As the proverb says, 'A goldsmith -will do his grandmother out of a pice.' But if the Lâlâ-ji gives you +will do his grandmother out of a pice.' But if the Lâlâ-ji gives you trouble, bring him to me. I've been kind to him, and he is grateful, in his way."</p> -<p class="normal">Now the history of John Raby's kindness to Lâlâ Shunker Dâs was +<p class="normal">Now the history of John Raby's kindness to Lâlâ Shunker Dâs was briefly this: he had discovered him in an attempt to cheat the revenue in the matter of income-tax, and had kept the knowledge in his own hands. "Purists would say I ought to report it, and smash the man," argued this astute young casuist; "but the knowledge that his ruin in -the matter of that <i>Rai Bâhâdur</i>-ship hangs by a thread will keep the +the matter of that <i>Rai Bâhâdur</i>-ship hangs by a thread will keep the old thief straighter; besides it is always unwise to give away power."</p> <p class="normal">That to a great extent was the keynote of John Raby's life. He coveted @@ -2328,7 +2293,7 @@ ride by herself.</p> <p class="normal">"Alone?"</p> -<p class="normal">"Yes, alone; queer <i>ménage</i>, ain't it? I believe the girl thinks +<p class="normal">"Yes, alone; queer <i>mĂ©nage</i>, ain't it? I believe the girl thinks she'll reform the Colonel; and he <i>is</i> awfully fond of her, but--" The younger man shook his head with a laugh. It jarred upon Philip Marsden and he changed the subject quickly. So she had elected to stay with @@ -2341,13 +2306,13 @@ would not have to pay too dearly for it.</p> <h2><a name="div1_06" href="#div1Ref_06">CHAPTER VI.</a></h2> <br> -<p class="normal">Lâlâ Shunker Dâs having discarded all clothing save a scarf of white +<p class="normal">Lâlâ Shunker Dâs having discarded all clothing save a scarf of white muslin tied petticoat-wise round his loins, lay on a wooden bed perched high on the topmost platform of his tall house. But even there the burning breezes of May brought no relief from the heat; and he lay -gasping, while his faithful jackal Râm Lâl pounded away with lean +gasping, while his faithful jackal Râm Lâl pounded away with lean brown knuckles at his master's fat body. The <i>massage</i> seemed to do -little good, for he grunted and groaned dismally. In truth the Lâlâ +little good, for he grunted and groaned dismally. In truth the Lâlâ ached all over, both in body and soul. A thousand things had conspired against him: his last and most expensive wife (after spending a fortune in pilgrimages) had committed the indiscretion of presenting @@ -2360,7 +2325,7 @@ were serious ills, but there was one, far more trivial, which nevertheless smarted worst of all; perhaps because it was the most recent.</p> -<p class="normal">That very morning Shunker Dâs, as behoved one of his aspirations, had +<p class="normal">That very morning Shunker Dâs, as behoved one of his aspirations, had testified to his loyalty by attending the usual parade in honour of the Queen's birthday. On previous occasions he had driven thither in his barouche, but ambition had suggested that an appearance on @@ -2370,18 +2335,18 @@ and having attired himself in glittering raiment, including a magnificent turban of pink Benares muslin, he took his place by the flagstaff. People congratulated him warmly on his confidential charger which, even at the <i>feu de joie</i>, seemed lost in philosophic -reflections. Shunker Dâs waxed jubilant over the success of his +reflections. Shunker Dâs waxed jubilant over the success of his scheme, and was just giving himself away in magnificent lies, when the bugle sounded for "close order" preparatory to a few words from the General to the departing cavalry regiment. On this the war-horse pricked up its ears, and starting off at a dignified trot rejoined its -old companions, while the Lâlâ, swearing hideously, tugged vainly at +old companions, while the Lâlâ, swearing hideously, tugged vainly at the reins. Arrived at the line the conscientious creature sidled down it, trying vainly to slip into a vacant place. Failing of success, the intelligent beast concluded it must be on orderly duty, and just as -the Lâlâ was congratulating himself on having finished his involuntary +the Lâlâ was congratulating himself on having finished his involuntary rounds, his horse, turning at right angles, bounded off to rejoin the -General's staff. Away went the Lâlâ's stirrups. He must have gone too, +General's staff. Away went the Lâlâ's stirrups. He must have gone too, despite his clutch on the mane, had not the streaming end of his <i>pugree</i> caught in the high crupper-strap and held fast. So stayed, fore and aft, he might have reached the goal in safety, had not the @@ -2389,18 +2354,18 @@ General, annoyed by the suppressed tittering around him, lost patience, and angrily ordered some one to stop that man. Whereupon a mischievous aide-de-camp gave the word for the "halt" to be sounded. Confused out of everything save obedience, the charger stopped dead in -his tracks, and the Lâlâ shot over his head, still in a sitting +his tracks, and the Lâlâ shot over his head, still in a sitting posture. On being relieved of his burden, the co-ordination "stables" apparently came uppermost in the horse's mind, for it walked away -slowly, bearing with it the end of the Lâlâ's turban still fastened in +slowly, bearing with it the end of the Lâlâ's turban still fastened in the crupper. He, feeling a sudden insecurity in his headgear, and being, even in his confusion, painfully conscious of his baldness, clung to the lower folds with both hands. At this slight check, the charger, not to be baulked, set off at a canter, and over rolled the -fat Lâlâ, heels in air. Then, and not till then, one roar of laughter +fat Lâlâ, heels in air. Then, and not till then, one roar of laughter rent the air. For as he lay there on his back, kicking like a turned turtle, the <i>pugree</i> began to unwind like a ball of thread, while the -Lâlâ held on like grim death to the lower portion. Not until the last +Lâlâ held on like grim death to the lower portion. Not until the last fold had slipped through his fingers and a quarter of a mile or so of pink muslin was fluttering across the parade ground, did he realise the position, and struggling to his seat pass his hand over his bald @@ -2410,19 +2375,19 @@ head with a deprecating smile.</p> laughter. "You're in political charge, aren't you?"</p> <p class="normal">But Philip Marsden, who happened to be on staff duty that day, was -already pouring in oil and wine to the Lâlâ's hurt dignity when the -young civilian came up with nonchalant courtesy. "<i>Shâhbâsh, sahib!</i>" +already pouring in oil and wine to the Lâlâ's hurt dignity when the +young civilian came up with nonchalant courtesy. "<i>Shâhbâsh, sahib!</i>" he said, "you sat him splendidly, and that last prop would have undone a Centaur."</p> -<p class="normal">The Lâlâ, grinned a ghastly smile, and Philip Marsden turned +<p class="normal">The Lâlâ, grinned a ghastly smile, and Philip Marsden turned impatiently, saying aside: "Get him home, do! He looks so helpless with his bald head; it seems a shame to laugh."</p> <p class="normal">John Raby raised his eyebrows. "The General shall lend him his carriage. That will soothe his wounded vanity."</p> -<p class="normal">So the Lâlâ, with his head tied up in a red pocket-handkerchief, went +<p class="normal">So the Lâlâ, with his head tied up in a red pocket-handkerchief, went home in the big man's barouche, and the spectators of his discomfiture laughed again at the recollection of it.</p> @@ -2438,19 +2403,19 @@ succeed."</p> <p class="normal">"Perhaps; for myself I prefer to grin. As some one says, humour is the religion of to-day. Those who believe in eternity have time for tears. -We others,--why we cry '<i>Vogue la galčre!</i>'"</p> +We others,--why we cry '<i>Vogue la galère!</i>'"</p> -<p class="normal">Lâlâ Shunker Dâs, however, without any abiding belief in a future -state, was in no laughing mood as he lay under Râm Lâl's +<p class="normal">Lâlâ Shunker Dâs, however, without any abiding belief in a future +state, was in no laughing mood as he lay under Râm Lâl's manipulations, listening captiously to his items of bazaar rumour.</p> -<p class="normal">"And they say, Lâl-ji, that the Sirkar thinks of transferring Colonel +<p class="normal">"And they say, Lâl-ji, that the Sirkar thinks of transferring Colonel Estuart <i>sahib</i>."</p> -<p class="normal">Shunker Dâs sat up suddenly and scowled. "Transfer Estuart +<p class="normal">Shunker Dâs sat up suddenly and scowled. "Transfer Estuart <i>sahib!</i>--why?"</p> -<p class="normal">Râm Lâl redoubled his exertions on the new portion of the Lâlâ's frame +<p class="normal">Râm Lâl redoubled his exertions on the new portion of the Lâlâ's frame thus brought within reach, until the latter, uttering dismal groans, sank back to his former position. "They say," he continued calmly, "that the Sirkar is beginning to suspect."</p> @@ -2461,10 +2426,10 @@ thee not go so fast? Times have changed since the Commissariat <i>sahibs</i> sat in their verandahs, and one could walk a file of twenty camels round and round the house until they counted the proper number. But remember! 'Tis thou who goest to the wall, not I. That's the -compact. Shunker finds the money, Râmu runs the risk."</p> +compact. Shunker finds the money, Râmu runs the risk."</p> -<p class="normal">"Have I forgotten it, Lâlâ-ji?" replied the other with some spirit. -"Râmu is ready. And 'tis Shunker's part to look after the wife and +<p class="normal">"Have I forgotten it, Lâlâ-ji?" replied the other with some spirit. +"Râmu is ready. And 'tis Shunker's part to look after the wife and children when I'm in jail; don't forget that! The master would do better if he were bolder. This one would have made much in that fodder contract, but your heart was as water; it always is."</p> @@ -2474,14 +2439,14 @@ contract, but your heart was as water; it always is."</p> <p class="normal">"If the branch be properly limed, the bird sticks. Is it limed? Such things are the master's work, not mine."</p> -<p class="normal">"Ay! limed right enough for <i>him</i>. But the money, Râmu, the money! It +<p class="normal">"Ay! limed right enough for <i>him</i>. But the money, Râmu, the money! It will take months to lay the snare for a new man, and the war will be -over." The Lâlâ positively wept at the idea.</p> +over." The Lâlâ positively wept at the idea.</p> -<p class="normal">Râm Lâl looked at him contemptuously. "Get what is to be got from this +<p class="normal">Râm Lâl looked at him contemptuously. "Get what is to be got from this <i>sahib</i>, at any rate; that's my advice."</p> -<p class="normal">The very next day Lâla Shunker Dâs drove down to the Commissariat +<p class="normal">The very next day Lâla Shunker Dâs drove down to the Commissariat office, intent on striking a grand blow.</p> <p class="normal">Things had been going on better than could have been expected in the @@ -2502,7 +2467,7 @@ alarmed about himself, and a hint from the doctor about the consequences of over-free living, reduced him to toast and water for a week, and kept him from mess for three. Belle was in a heaven of delight; and she was just enjoying the sight of her father actually -drinking afternoon tea, when Budlu came in to say the Lâlâ-ji wanted +drinking afternoon tea, when Budlu came in to say the Lâlâ-ji wanted to see the Colonel.</p> <p class="normal">"Don't go, father," pleaded Belle. "It's only that horrid fat man; @@ -2510,16 +2475,16 @@ tell him to come again."</p> <p class="normal">John Raby, who often strolled across about tea-time, looked at Colonel Stuart and smiled. He knew most things in the station; among others -how unpleasant a visitor Shunker Dâs might be to his host, and not +how unpleasant a visitor Shunker Dâs might be to his host, and not being ill-natured, he chimed in with the girl by offering to see the man himself.</p> -<p class="normal">The Lâlâ, leaning back magnificently in his barouche, felt a sudden +<p class="normal">The Lâlâ, leaning back magnificently in his barouche, felt a sudden diminution of dignity at the sight of John Raby. "Bruises all right, -Lâlâ?" asked the young man cheerfully, and Shunker's dignity sank -lower still. "They ought to give you that <i>Rai Bâhâdur</i>-ship for the +Lâlâ?" asked the young man cheerfully, and Shunker's dignity sank +lower still. "They ought to give you that <i>Rai Bâhâdur</i>-ship for the way you stuck to him; by George, they should! We don't often get men -of your stamp, Lâlâ, with estates in every district,--do we? So you +of your stamp, Lâlâ, with estates in every district,--do we? So you want to see the Colonel; what for?" he added suddenly and sternly.</p> <p class="normal">"<i>Huzoor!</i>" bleated the fat man. "I,--I came to inquire after his @@ -2528,18 +2493,18 @@ honour's health."</p> <p class="normal">"Much obliged to you! He is better; and I really think if you were to come, say this day fortnight, he might be able to see you."</p> -<p class="normal">Shunker Dâs hesitated, fear for his money making him brave. "There +<p class="normal">Shunker Dâs hesitated, fear for his money making him brave. "There were rumours," he began, "that my good patron was about to be transferred."</p> -<p class="normal">"Sits the wind in that quarter," thought Raby, amused. "My dear Lâlâ," +<p class="normal">"Sits the wind in that quarter," thought Raby, amused. "My dear Lâlâ," he said, "it's absolutely untrue. Your eighty thousand is quite safe, I assure you."</p> <p class="normal">"<i>Huzoor!</i>"</p> -<p class="normal">"Good-bye, Lâlâ-ji--this day fortnight," and he returned to his cup of -tea in high good-humour. Then he sat and played <i>écarté</i> with the +<p class="normal">"Good-bye, Lâlâ-ji--this day fortnight," and he returned to his cup of +tea in high good-humour. Then he sat and played <i>Ă©cartĂ©</i> with the Colonel for an hour while Belle worked and watched them carelessly.</p> <p class="normal">"That makes fifteen," remarked the young man as he rose to go, @@ -2688,10 +2653,10 @@ weep or smile over them.</p> nothing at all in his private office-room, passing the time, as it were, out of mischief, till he went to dine with John Raby. For the latter, with a sort of contemptuous kindness, put the drag of an -occasional game of <i>écarté</i> on to the Colonel's potations. Sitting in +occasional game of <i>Ă©cartĂ©</i> on to the Colonel's potations. Sitting in the dusk his face looked wan and haggard, and, despite his profound stillness, every nerve was wearied and yet awake with excitement; as -might be seen from his unrestrained start when Shunker Dâs came into +might be seen from his unrestrained start when Shunker Dâs came into the room unannounced; for the office-hours being over the <i>chuprassie</i> had departed.</p> @@ -2699,7 +2664,7 @@ had departed.</p> Haven't you got enough for one day? Am I never to have any peace?"</p> <p class="normal">An angry tone generally reduced his native visitors to submission, but -the Lâlâ was evidently in no mood for silence. He had taken up a small +the Lâlâ was evidently in no mood for silence. He had taken up a small contract that morning, the earnest-money of which lay for the time in Colonel Stuart's safe. Since then he had heard casually that a long-expected source of profit over which he had often talked with the @@ -2721,7 +2686,7 @@ cried his hearer, annoyed beyond endurance by the man's assumption of equality. "I'll pay you every penny, if I sell my soul for it, curse you!"</p> -<p class="normal">"Eighty thousand rupees is a tall price, <i>sahib</i>," sneered the Lâlâ. +<p class="normal">"Eighty thousand rupees is a tall price, <i>sahib</i>," sneered the Lâlâ. "And how about the contracts, and the commission, and the general partnership? Am I to tell that also?"</p> @@ -2731,7 +2696,7 @@ principle might be found; yet to a certain extent honour remained as it were in pebbles, worn and frayed by contact with the stream of life. "General partnership! you black devil, what do you mean?"</p> -<p class="normal">"Mean!" echoed the Lâlâ shrilly. "Why, the money I've lent you, <i>paid</i> +<p class="normal">"Mean!" echoed the Lâlâ shrilly. "Why, the money I've lent you, <i>paid</i> you for each contract; the commission I've given your clerks; the grain your horses have eaten; the--"</p> @@ -2739,9 +2704,9 @@ grain your horses have eaten; the--"</p> rage of his face had settled into a stern wrath that turned it white. "If you stop here another instant, by God I'll kill you!"</p> -<p class="normal">The words came like a steel-thrust, and the Lâlâ without a word turned +<p class="normal">The words came like a steel-thrust, and the Lâlâ without a word turned and fled before the Berserk rage of the Northman; it is always -terrible to the Oriental, and the Lâlâ was a heaven-sent coward.</p> +terrible to the Oriental, and the Lâlâ was a heaven-sent coward.</p> <p class="normal">"Stop!" cried the Colonel as the wretched creature reached the door. He obeyed and came back trembling. "Take your money for the contract @@ -2753,7 +2718,7 @@ receipt!--quick! out with it!--the receipt for the three thousand five hundred I gave you this morning!"</p> <p class="normal">"<i>Huzoor! Huzoor!</i> I am looking for it; be patient one moment!" -The Lâlâ's quivering fingers blundered among the papers in his +The Lâlâ's quivering fingers blundered among the papers in his pocket-book.</p> <p class="normal">"Give it me, or, by heaven, I'll break every bone in your body!" His @@ -2779,7 +2744,7 @@ crackling.</p> <p class="normal">Colonel Stuart looked at it in a dazed sort of way, then burst into a roar of laughter and put it in his pocket-book. "My fair perquisite, -by Jove! and it will come in useful to-night at <i>écarté</i>. Budlu, give +by Jove! and it will come in useful to-night at <i>Ă©cartĂ©</i>. Budlu, give me the little bottle. I must steady my nerves a bit if I'm to play with Raby."</p> <br> @@ -2812,7 +2777,7 @@ the sudden flapping of his wings startled the horse of an early wayfarer who came at a walk down the Mall.</p> <p class="normal">It was Philip Marsden setting out betimes for a two days' scour of the -district in search of the very mules out of which Shunker Dâs had +district in search of the very mules out of which Shunker Dâs had hoped to make so much profit. Most men, carrying ten thousand rupees with them, would have applied for a treasure-chest and a police guard; but Major Marsden considered himself quite sufficient security for the @@ -3206,7 +3171,7 @@ his position, and, if need be, of throwing it up. But for this justification he must wait years, unless indeed Fate sent him a rich wife. Heiresses however are scarce in India, and furlough was not yet due. So John Raby had to content himself with four per cent, which was -all the more annoying when he remembered that Shunker Dâs was making +all the more annoying when he remembered that Shunker Dâs was making forty out of the very indigo business on which he had tried to evade the income-tax. Sooner or later John Raby intended to have his finger in that pie, unless some more fortunate person plucked the plum out @@ -3214,7 +3179,7 @@ first.</p> <p class="normal">The other reason for his annoyance arose from the fact, clearly demonstrated by his neat system of accounts, that over nine thousand -rupees of his balance were the proceeds of <i>écarté</i> played with a man +rupees of his balance were the proceeds of <i>Ă©cartĂ©</i> played with a man who had had the confidence to make him his executor. The young civilian had no qualms of conscience here either; it had been a fair fight, the Colonel considering himself quite as good at the game as @@ -3232,10 +3197,10 @@ lessened his regrets for her poverty, and yet increased them. Why, he asked himself savagely, did nice girls never have money? The only gleam of satisfaction, in short, to be yielded by the balance was the remembrance that his possession of the nine thousand rupees prevented -Lâlâ Shunker Dâs from absorbing it. As a matter of fact his +Lâlâ Shunker Dâs from absorbing it. As a matter of fact his executorship had proved a wholesome check on the usurer's outcries, and it gave the young man some consolation to think that no one could -have managed the Lâlâ so well as he did. The smile raised by this +have managed the Lâlâ so well as he did. The smile raised by this remembrance lingered still when Major Marsden walked, unannounced, through the window in unceremonious Indian fashion.</p> @@ -3258,7 +3223,7 @@ to be out in the cold, and resented it.</p> <p class="normal">"The nurse told me so when I inquired just now," he replied shortly.</p> <p class="normal">"I'm to see her this afternoon when she comes back from her drive. -I've sent for Shunker Dâs's carriage."</p> +I've sent for Shunker Dâs's carriage."</p> <p class="normal">Major Marsden frowned. "You might have chosen some one else's, surely. He ruined her father."</p> @@ -3303,7 +3268,7 @@ Colonel Stuart kept the key."</p> <p class="normal">"Quite enough; but I'm not exactly surprised."</p> <p class="normal">"Then I am," returned the Major emphatically. "In fact I don't believe -there really is any deficit at all. Do you think Shunker Dâs is the +there really is any deficit at all. Do you think Shunker Dâs is the sort of man to make a false claim?"</p> <p class="normal">"Not unless he has fallen upon fair proofs," said the other coolly. @@ -3401,7 +3366,7 @@ you that last evening, if you remember."</p> had been distractingly conscious of a note for a thousand rupees lying in his despatch-box which might throw-some light on the mysterious disappearances. "Yes," he replied, "he did, and,--I see what you are -thinking of, Marsden--he played <i>écarté</i> too; but to tell the truth, +thinking of, Marsden--he played <i>Ă©cartĂ©</i> too; but to tell the truth, he was so fuddled and excited that I refused to go on, and sent him home. See what comes of benevolence. If I had let him play and rooked him, he wouldn't have had the opportunity of brooding over @@ -3460,8 +3425,8 @@ no style, the matter was clear, and to be read by the million. It all came from Marsden's infernal sense of duty, and John Raby had half a mind to spoil his little game by sending the paper over to Belle as usual. But with all his faults he was not a spiteful man, or one -inclined to play the part of dog-in-the-manger. Consequently when Lâlâ -Shunker Dâs's carriage went over for Belle the <i>chuprassi</i> in charge +inclined to play the part of dog-in-the-manger. Consequently when Lâlâ +Shunker Dâs's carriage went over for Belle the <i>chuprassi</i> in charge only carried a bouquet; the newspaper remained behind, keeping company with John Raby and magnanimity.</p> @@ -3721,7 +3686,7 @@ far good; the next thing was to have a sight of Shunker's face before he had time to hear rumours or make plans.</p> <p class="normal">The summons to come up for an interview early next morning rather -pleased the Lâlâ, for he received it while at the receipt of custom, +pleased the Lâlâ, for he received it while at the receipt of custom, when it added to his importance in the eyes of the wedding guests who sat watching a nautch girl sidle, like a pouter pigeon, over a strip of dirty carpet. She was stout to obesity; her oiled hair was @@ -3736,21 +3701,21 @@ amusement; a face which surely will make Paradise dull work for the <p class="normal">"Yea! I will come to Raby if he needs me," assented the rich man, turning with a spiteful chuckle to his right hand, where old Mahomed -Lateef sat solemn and dignified. "See you, Khân <i>sahib</i>, how even the +Lateef sat solemn and dignified. "See you, Khân <i>sahib</i>, how even the Sirkar favours money?"</p> <p class="normal">"When I was young, Oh Shunker!" retorted the other grimly, "the hands of Nikalsane and Jan Larnce held the sword too tight to leave room for the rupees."</p> -<p class="normal">"Ay! when you Khâns of Kurtpore brought fifty swords to flash behind +<p class="normal">"Ay! when you Khâns of Kurtpore brought fifty swords to flash behind theirs, without payment. Swords are bought nowadays, and those who lack money must e'en go to the wall."</p> -<p class="normal">The old Mahomedan's eyes flared. "<i>Mashâllâh</i>, oh <i>buniah-ji</i>, if they +<p class="normal">The old Mahomedan's eyes flared. "<i>Mashâllâh</i>, oh <i>buniah-ji</i>, if they go to the wall in my poor house they will find swords enow! But yesterday a hut fell--I mean 'twas pulled down for repairs--and we -came on five Persian blades!<a name="div2Ref_03" href="#div2_03"><sup>[3]</sup></a> Ready to use, O Lâlâ-ji; no spot or +came on five Persian blades!<a name="div2Ref_03" href="#div2_03"><sup>[3]</sup></a> Ready to use, O Lâlâ-ji; no spot or blemish of rust. Haply they may help back the rupees some day."</p> <p class="normal">Shunker moved uneasily in his chair, and the guests sank again into @@ -3771,14 +3736,14 @@ it away from two harmless infants.</p> disadvantage when he came to confront the young civilian's clear-cut, clean-shaven face in the morning.</p> -<p class="normal">"You have made a mistake, Lâlâ-ji," he began, opening fire at once; "a +<p class="normal">"You have made a mistake, Lâlâ-ji," he began, opening fire at once; "a serious mistake about the notes you claim to have left with Colonel Stuart." So much, at least, was certain; John Raby, however, saw more in the unrestrained start of alarm which the surprise evoked. "It isn't so very serious," he continued blandly; "nothing for you to be -so frightened about, Lâlâ-ji; we all make mistakes at times. By the +so frightened about, Lâlâ-ji; we all make mistakes at times. By the way, did you keep your original memorandum of the numbers in English -or Mâhâjani [accountant's character]?" "In Mâhâjani, <i>Huzoor</i>," +or Mâhâjani [accountant's character]?" "In Mâhâjani, <i>Huzoor</i>," bleated Shunker, and John Raby smiled. For this diminished the possibility of clerical error enormously; indeed it was to settle this point that he had sent for the usurer. "So much the better for you," @@ -3835,7 +3800,7 @@ than I thought!"</p> <p class="normal">"No, no!" cried the usurer, beside himself with fear of this <i>shaitan</i>. "Only three! I swear it! I only picked up three."</p> -<p class="normal">"Thank you again, Lâlâ. You picked up three. Let me see; how was it?" +<p class="normal">"Thank you again, Lâlâ. You picked up three. Let me see; how was it?" The young man rose, pacing the room quickly and talking rapidly. "Stuart must have taken four from the safe. The windfall! by George! the windfall. The Colonel must have thought Shunker had only taken @@ -3854,7 +3819,7 @@ teeth chatter. I'm not going to kill you. So you weren't even a good scoundrel, Shunker, only a pitiful fortune-finder. Having done a clever trick by mistake, you thought it safe to claim the money again, as the only witness was dead. And it was safe, but for that chance of -the other note! It was hard luck, Lâlâ-ji, hard luck!"</p> +the other note! It was hard luck, Lâlâ-ji, hard luck!"</p> <p class="normal">There was something almost uncanny in John Raby's jeering smile as he threw himself into a chair and began to light one of his eternal @@ -3868,7 +3833,7 @@ he was conscious of inward anxiety; for he had rapidly reviewed the position, and confessed himself impotent should the usurer regain the courage of denial, since any attempt to prove the facts must bring to light his own possession of the unlucky note. His best chance -therefore was to work on the Lâlâ's terror without delay.</p> +therefore was to work on the Lâlâ's terror without delay.</p> <p class="normal">"I throw myself on your honour's mercy," quavered the usurer in a dull despairing tone, knowing by experience that it was but a broken reed @@ -3923,12 +3888,12 @@ almost more grateful to him than any certainty would have done, for they showed a more perfect trust in her father's integrity. So even the young man's caution told in his favour, and he went home very well satisfied with himself, to await the final explanation that was to -emanate from the Lâlâ's fertile brain. The notes would be found +emanate from the Lâlâ's fertile brain. The notes would be found somewhere, no doubt; or else in looking over his accounts he would discover a like sum owing to Government which would cause the disappearance of the apparent deficiency.</p> -<p class="normal">But amid all his terror, the Lâlâ had noted John Raby's assertion +<p class="normal">But amid all his terror, the Lâlâ had noted John Raby's assertion that, given a certain conscience, he could make money out of the restitution; and these idle words stood between him and many a solution of the difficulty. His soul (if he had one) was full of hate, @@ -3939,15 +3904,15 @@ exchange!</p> <p class="normal">Dawn found him still in the upper chamber alone with his faithful jackal. There was determination in his face and dogged resistance in -Râm Lâl's.</p> +Râm Lâl's.</p> <p class="normal">"Fool!" whispered the usurer. "If I fall, where art thou? And I swear I will let the whole thing go. I have money,--thou hast none. It is -only a year without opium or tobacco, Râmu, and the wife and children +only a year without opium or tobacco, Râmu, and the wife and children well cared for meanwhile. Are you going to back out of the agreement, unfaithful to salt?"</p> -<p class="normal">"A year is ten years without opium, Lâlâ; and there is no need for +<p class="normal">"A year is ten years without opium, Lâlâ; and there is no need for this. I am the scapegoat, it is true, but only for safety."</p> <p class="normal">"Son of owls!" cursed the usurer, still under his breath. "It is for @@ -3955,56 +3920,56 @@ safety, thy safety as well as mine. For if thou wilt do as I bid thee, it will tie that <i>shaitan's</i> hands; and if they be not tied, they will meddle. Besides, the <i>sahib-logue</i> are never satisfied without a scapegoat, and if some one go not to jail they will inquire; and then, -Râmu, wilt thou fare better? 'Twill be longer in the cells, that is -all. Opium can be smuggled, Râmu! See, I promise five rupees a month +Râmu, wilt thou fare better? 'Twill be longer in the cells, that is +all. Opium can be smuggled, Râmu! See, I promise five rupees a month to the warder, and a big caste dinner when thou returnest from the father-in-law's house [a native euphemism for the jail]. And listen, -Râmu--"</p> +Râmu--"</p> <p class="normal">So the whispered colloquy went on and on through the hot night, and during the course of the next day John Raby was asked to sign a -search-warrant for the house of one Râmu Lâl, who was suspected by his -master, Shunker Dâs, of having stolen the missing notes from Colonel +search-warrant for the house of one Râmu Lâl, who was suspected by his +master, Shunker Dâs, of having stolen the missing notes from Colonel Stuart's office-table. For a moment the young man, taken aback by this unexpected turn of affairs, hesitated; but reflection showed him that, for all he could prove to the contrary, the crime might have been committed. At least there would be time enough for interference at a -later stage of the proceedings. So Râmu and his house were searched; a +later stage of the proceedings. So Râmu and his house were searched; a note for five hundred rupees was found on his person, and two previous convictions against him promptly produced by the police.</p> <p class="normal">The discovery of but one, and that the smallest, note gave John Raby the key to Shunker's plan; for if it could be proved that the money had been stolen after it had been duly handed over to the Commissariat -officer, the Lâlâ's claim would remain intact. Thus he would be the +officer, the Lâlâ's claim would remain intact. Thus he would be the gainer by exactly three thousand rupees. Some of this would of course -go towards indemnifying the scapegoat; but Râmu was notoriously the +go towards indemnifying the scapegoat; but Râmu was notoriously the contractor's jackal, and bound to take such risks.</p> <p class="normal">What was to be done? It was maddening to be outwitted in this manner, -but after all no one was really the worse for it. Râmu had evidently +but after all no one was really the worse for it. Râmu had evidently been squared: Shunker was bound to escape in any case; and Government had gained all round. Practically speaking, he and Marsden were the only sufferers; the latter in having paid up ten thousand rupees which the authorities must otherwise have lost; he, in having restored one thousand out of his honest earnings. Besides, he had forced Shunker to -disgorge another five hundred; in fact, but for him and his <i>écarté</i> +disgorge another five hundred; in fact, but for him and his <i>Ă©cartĂ©</i> the fraud could not have been discovered. Surely that was enough for any man to do; especially as one disclosure must lead to another, and in that case Government would have to pay Marsden back his money. All of which devious but straightforward arguments ended in John Raby taking care that the case should be tried in another court; which it -was and successfully. Râm Lâl, confronted by a mass of evidence +was and successfully. Râm Lâl, confronted by a mass of evidence ingeniously compounded after native fashion from truth and falsehood,--from the denials of honest people who could not possibly have seen anything, and the assertions of those who were paid to have seen everything,--pleaded guilty to having watched his master give the money to Colonel Stuart, who, being in a hurry, had placed it in an -envelope-box on the writing-table, whence Râmu, returning after dark, +envelope-box on the writing-table, whence Râmu, returning after dark, had taken it "in a moment of forgetfulness" [the usual native excuse].</p> -<p class="normal">Here the Lâlâ interrupted the Court to say in a voice broken by -emotion that Râmu was a faithful servant, a very faithful servant +<p class="normal">Here the Lâlâ interrupted the Court to say in a voice broken by +emotion that Râmu was a faithful servant, a very faithful servant indeed.</p> <p class="normal">So the jackal got eighteen months for the theft, and Shunker drove @@ -4057,7 +4022,7 @@ sperrits so in trouble. It's wonderful what one gets used to."</p> <h2><a name="div1_10" href="#div1Ref_10">CHAPTER X.</a></h2> <br> -<p class="normal">A cold wind swept down the Peirâk valley, driving the last leaves from +<p class="normal">A cold wind swept down the Peirâk valley, driving the last leaves from the birch trees, which, filling the gully, crept some short way up the steep ascent to the Pass, where the ridges of grey-blue slate seemed almost a part of the staring blue sky against which they showed like a @@ -4073,7 +4038,7 @@ whistle of a marmot sunning itself on the rocks. Ere long the snow would wrap all in its soft white mantle, and the bunting, paired with its own shadow, flicker over the glistening drifts.</p> -<p class="normal">Notwithstanding the lateness of the season the Peirâk was not utterly +<p class="normal">Notwithstanding the lateness of the season the Peirâk was not utterly deserted. In a sheltered bit behind a cluster of rocks sat two young men. One, despite the sheepskin coat and turban-wound peaked cap of the Afghan, showed unmistakable signs of alien blood in the steady @@ -4082,7 +4047,7 @@ fur collar met his neck. It was our old friend Dick Smith, and he was on the watch for the last British regiment which was to cross the Pass in order to strengthen the little garrison beyond, before winter set her silver key upon the mountains. His companion carried his -nationality in his face, for even when Afzul Khân had condescended to +nationality in his face, for even when Afzul Khân had condescended to wear the uniform of a Sikh soldier no one could have mistaken the evidence of his long, straight nose and cruel, crafty expression, in which, however, lurked little hint of sensuality.</p> @@ -4105,14 +4070,14 @@ nervous hand emphatically east, west, and south.</p> <p class="normal">"Tarred with the same brush north, I expect," muttered the Englishman to himself.</p> -<p class="normal">Afzul Khân frowned. "These are my enemies," he went on. "But for the +<p class="normal">Afzul Khân frowned. "These are my enemies," he went on. "But for the Sirkar,--<i>chk!</i>" He gave a curious sound, half click, half gurgle, and drew an illustrative finger across his throat. It was rather a ghastly performance.</p> <p class="normal">"Then why stop?"</p> -<p class="normal">Afzul Khân plucked at the withered bents carelessly. "Because--because +<p class="normal">Afzul Khân plucked at the withered bents carelessly. "Because--because it suits this slave; because the merciful Presence is my master; because I may as well wait here as anywhere else."</p> @@ -4130,9 +4095,9 @@ made Dick thoughtful.</p> <p class="normal">"You're sharp enough, Heaven knows; but I don't understand why you wanted to learn signalling. Are you going to give up your <i>jezail</i> and -become a <i>bâbu?</i>"</p> +become a <i>bâbu?</i>"</p> -<p class="normal">Afzul Khân fingered the matchlock which lay beside him. "I have +<p class="normal">Afzul Khân fingered the matchlock which lay beside him. "I have changed my mind," he said shortly. "I will leave it to the Presence to bring down fire from Heaven; <i>I</i> bring it from this flash-in-the-pan."</p> @@ -4154,7 +4119,7 @@ their wives were so ugly that we didn't care to carry them off."</p> <p class="normal">"Why should you?"</p> -<p class="normal">"'Twas a feud. Once, God knows when, a Budakshân Nurzai carried off +<p class="normal">"'Twas a feud. Once, God knows when, a Budakshân Nurzai carried off one of ours and began it. If the women ran out, we killed the men instead. So it was a moonlight night, and the fifteen were fast asleep, snoring like hogs. By Allah! my heart beat as we crept behind @@ -4176,14 +4141,14 @@ plainly visible.</p> in to those cursed hawk's eyes when my bullet was all but in his heart! <i>Wah-illah!</i> his bravery made me a coward, and now my life is his. But I will return it, and then we shall cry quits. Yonder's the -<i>subadâr</i>. By God! my knife will be in his big belly ere long, and -some of those gibing Punjâbis shall jest no more."</p> +<i>subadâr</i>. By God! my knife will be in his big belly ere long, and +some of those gibing Punjâbis shall jest no more."</p> <p class="normal">So he watched them keenly with a fierce joy, while Dick tore down the hill, to be brought, by an ominous rattle among the rifles below, to a remembrance of his dress. Then he waited, hands down, in the open, until the advance guard came within hail of his friendly voice; when -he received the whole regiment with open arms, as if the Peirâk were +he received the whole regiment with open arms, as if the Peirâk were his special property. Perhaps he had some right to consider it so, seeing that he was the only Englishman who had ever attempted to make those barren heights his head-quarters. But, as he explained to Philip @@ -4196,7 +4161,7 @@ an escort; without which he was not allowed to traverse the unsettled country on either side.</p> <p class="normal">"Here I am safe enough," he said with a laugh; "and if I could only -get my assistant, a Bengali <i>bâbu</i>, to live at the other hut I have +get my assistant, a Bengali <i>bâbu</i>, to live at the other hut I have built on the northern descent, we could defy all difficulties. But he is in such a blind funk that if I go out he retires to bed and locks the door. The only time he is happy is when a regiment is on the @@ -4251,7 +4216,7 @@ with us so far in any case, aren't you?"</p> <p class="normal">Dick sat idly chucking stones and watching them leap from point to point of the cliffs below him. "I don't think I shall, if you are to -be in camp Jusraoli for some days. You see, my <i>bâbu</i> is no use, and +be in camp Jusraoli for some days. You see, my <i>bâbu</i> is no use, and something might turn up. I'll see you across the Pass and come back. I could join you later on if I made up my mind to cut." He lay back with his arms under his head and looked up into the brilliant blue @@ -4312,7 +4277,7 @@ perfect for anything else; and she? Something seemed to rise in his throat and choke him. So nothing further was said between them till on the northern skirts of the hills they stood saying good-bye. Then Dick with some solemnity put a blue official envelope into his friend's -hand. "It's the will, Major. I think it's all right; I got the <i>bâbu</i> +hand. "It's the will, Major. I think it's all right; I got the <i>bâbu</i> to witness it. And of course the--the other--doesn't make any difference. You see I shall write and tell her it is all a mistake."</p> @@ -4357,7 +4322,7 @@ some of these musical sentries face to face? Perhaps it would be wiser to go back. He had almost made up his mind to this course when the thought that these robbers, for so he deemed them, might out of pure mischief have tampered with his beloved wires came to turn the balance -in favour of going on. A disused path leading by a <i>détour</i> to the +in favour of going on. A disused path leading by a <i>dĂ©tour</i> to the southern side branched off about a mile further up; if he could reach that safely he might manage to get home without much delay. Only a mile; he would risk it. Creeping from his shelter cautiously he @@ -4387,16 +4352,16 @@ from the eastward. But westward? He waited breathlessly, while not a sound returned to him. Communication was broken; the wires had possibly been cut, and Dick stood up with a curiously personal sense of injury. His wires tampered with out of sheer mischief! Yet stay! -Might it not be something more? Where the devil had the <i>bâbu</i> hidden +Might it not be something more? Where the devil had the <i>bâbu</i> hidden himself? After fruitless search an idea struck him, and he signalled eastward once more. "Repeat your last message, giving time at which sent." With ears attuned to tragedy Dick awaited the reply. "6 P.M. To north side. 'Will send cocoa-nut oil and curry stuff by next mail.'"</p> <p class="normal">The echo of Dick's laughter, as he realised that but an hour or so -before the <i>bâbu</i> had been putting the telegraph to commissariat uses, +before the <i>bâbu</i> had been putting the telegraph to commissariat uses, was the last human sound the shanty was to hear for many a long day. -For the next moment's thought roused a sudden fear. The <i>bâbu</i> had +For the next moment's thought roused a sudden fear. The <i>bâbu</i> had doubtless gone over the Pass with the troops for the sake of company; that was natural enough, but if he was still in the north shanty awaiting Dick's return, why had he not answered the signal sent @@ -4441,8 +4406,8 @@ his brain swam with a wild excitement. On and on recklessly, yet steadily; his footsteps deadened by the drifting snow, until he stood at the threshold of shelter and threw open the door of the shanty.</p> -<p class="normal">Great Heaven, what was this! The <i>bâbu</i>, green with fear, working the -signaller, while Afzul Khân, surrounded by six or seven armed Pathans, +<p class="normal">Great Heaven, what was this! The <i>bâbu</i>, green with fear, working the +signaller, while Afzul Khân, surrounded by six or seven armed Pathans, stood over him with drawn knife. "Go on, you fool!" he was saying, "your work is nearly finished."</p> @@ -4450,7 +4415,7 @@ stood over him with drawn knife. "Go on, you fool!" he was saying, brain quicker than any lightning. Treachery was at work, with a coward for its agent. His revolver was out in a second, and before the astonished group had time to grasp the unexpected interruption, the -<i>bâbu's</i> nerveless fingers slipped from the handles, as with a gasping +<i>bâbu's</i> nerveless fingers slipped from the handles, as with a gasping sob, rising above the report, he sank in a heap on the floor.</p> <p class="normal">"By God and His Prophet!" cried Afzul, carried away, as men of his @@ -4470,7 +4435,7 @@ friends."</p> <p class="normal">"Don't hurt the lad," cried Afzul, not a moment too soon, for cold steel was at Dick's throat. "God smite you to eternal damnation, -Haiyât! Put up that knife, I say. The lad's words are true. He has +Haiyât! Put up that knife, I say. The lad's words are true. He has eaten of our salt, and we of his. He hath lived among us and done no harm to man or maid. By Allah! the lightning has got into his brain. Bind him fast; and mark you, 'twill be worse than death for him to lie @@ -4483,7 +4448,7 @@ teeth at the man's jeering cruelty. "Kill me outright, you devils!" he cried, struggling madly. It was the wisest way to ensure life, for the sight of his impotent despair amused his captors.</p> -<p class="normal">"Give him a nip of his own brandy, Haiyât, or he will be slipping +<p class="normal">"Give him a nip of his own brandy, Haiyât, or he will be slipping through our fingers," said one, as he lay back exhausted.</p> <p class="normal">"Not I; the bottle's near empty as it is."</p> @@ -4494,10 +4459,10 @@ absurdity of mixing them up with the present deadly reality, the slenderest chance gave at least room for hope. "There is plenty more in the cupboard," he gasped. "The key is in my pocket."</p> -<p class="normal">"True is it, O Kâreem, that the Feringhi infidel cannot die in peace -without his <i>sharâb</i>," remarked Haiyât virtuously. But he did not fail +<p class="normal">"True is it, O Kâreem, that the Feringhi infidel cannot die in peace +without his <i>sharâb</i>," remarked Haiyât virtuously. But he did not fail with the others to taste all the contents of the cupboard, even to a -bottle of Pain-killer which had belonged to the <i>bâbu</i>. Meanwhile +bottle of Pain-killer which had belonged to the <i>bâbu</i>. Meanwhile Dick, lying helpless and bound, felt a fierce surge of hope and despair as he remembered that behind those open doors lay something which could put an end to treachery. Five minutes with his @@ -4519,7 +4484,7 @@ lay in pretending to follow the advice. He strained his ears for every whispered word of the gang as they crouched round the fire, and gathered enough to convince him that the sudden change of plan at head-quarters had endangered some deep-laid scheme of revenge, and -that Afzul Khân, believing Dick had gone on to the camp, had suggested +that Afzul Khân, believing Dick had gone on to the camp, had suggested a false telegram in order to lure the regiment into the open. A frantic rage and hate for the man who had suggested such a devilish prostitution of what constituted Dick's joy and pride roused every @@ -4534,7 +4499,7 @@ draught."</p> <p class="normal">They did both, in quick recognition of his spirit, and, with a laugh and an oath to the effect that the dead man would be a warm -bed-fellow, dragged him beside the wretched <i>bâbu</i> and threw a +bed-fellow, dragged him beside the wretched <i>bâbu</i> and threw a sheepskin rug over both. Dick's faint hope of some carpenter's tools in the far corner fled utterly: but his heart leaped up again as he remembered that his cowardly subordinate had always gone about armed @@ -4551,9 +4516,9 @@ still plenty of time for him to reach the camp ere dawn found the regiment on the move; but the risks he might have to run on the way decided him, first of all, to try and secure his field-instrument from the cupboard. He lay still for a long time wondering what to do next, -furtively watching Afzul Khân as he busied himself over the fire, +furtively watching Afzul Khân as he busied himself over the fire, while the others dozed preparatory to the work before them. Having -possessed himself also of the dead <i>bâbu's</i> revolver, Dick felt +possessed himself also of the dead <i>bâbu's</i> revolver, Dick felt mightily inclined to risk all by a steady shot at Afzul, and immediate flight. But the remembrance of those sentries on the downward road prevented him from relying altogether on his speed of foot. Yet Dick @@ -4592,10 +4557,10 @@ told that the dawn was not far off.</p> besides the drifts always lay thickest there. The next, a mile and a half down the valley, was best in every way; and as he ran, the keen joy of victory, not only against odds but against one man, came to him -with the thought of Afzul Khân gagged and helpless in the snow. +with the thought of Afzul Khân gagged and helpless in the snow. But he had reckoned without the cold; the chill night air which, finding its way through the open door, soon roused the sleepers by the -ill-replenished fire. Haiyât, waking first, gave the alarm, and the +ill-replenished fire. Haiyât, waking first, gave the alarm, and the discovery of their leader half suffocated in the snowdrift followed swiftly. Yet it was not until the latter, slowly recovering speech, gasped out a warning, that the full meaning of their prisoner's escape @@ -4606,7 +4571,7 @@ can bring fire from heaven! If he touches the wires all is lost. Fool that I was not to kill him, the tiger's cub, the hero of old! Curse him, true son of Byramghor, born of the lightning!" So with wild threats, mingled with wilder words of wonder and admiration, Afzul -Khân, still dazed by the blows Dick had dealt him, stumbled along in +Khân, still dazed by the blows Dick had dealt him, stumbled along in rear of the pursuit.</p> <p class="normal">The latter's heart knew its first throb of fear when the signal he @@ -4625,7 +4590,7 @@ cliff, a clear mark against the sky. Lucky, he thought, it was not through his arm. "<i>For God's sake</i>--" He doubled up in sudden agony but went on "<i>Stand fast</i>."</p> -<p class="normal">There was still a glint of life left in him when Afzul Khân, +<p class="normal">There was still a glint of life left in him when Afzul Khân, coming up behind the butchers, claimed the death-blow. Their eyes met. "Fire--from--heaven!" gasped Dick, and rolled over dead. The Pathan put up his knife gloomily. "It is true," he said with an oath. "I knew @@ -4653,7 +4618,7 @@ with little rills of running water beside which grew fragrant clumps of golden-eyed narcissus. In the centre was a slender-shafted, twelve-arched garden-house, with overhanging eaves, and elaborate fret-work, like wooden lace, between the pillars. On the sides of the -stone daďs on which the building stood trailed creepers bright with +stone daĂŻs on which the building stood trailed creepers bright with flowers, and in front of the open archway serving as a door lay the harmonious puzzle of a Persian carpet rich in deep reds and yellows. Easy-chairs, with a fox-terrier curled up on one of them, and a low @@ -4665,7 +4630,7 @@ without which civilisation cannot eat in comfort, bore witness that dinner was going on. Then, while the birds were beginning to say good-night to each other, the guests came trooping out in high spirits, ready for coffee and cigars. All, with one exception, were in -the <i>khâki</i> uniform which repeated washing renders, and always will +the <i>khâki</i> uniform which repeated washing renders, and always will render, skewbald, despite the efforts of martial experts towards a permanent dye. Most of the party were young and deeply engrossed by the prospect of some sky-races, which, coming off next day, were to @@ -4797,7 +4762,7 @@ be clothed in knee-breeches or poke-bonnets till Time is no more."</p> <p class="normal">In the pause which ensued Philip Marsden felt, as most of us do at times, that he would have given all he possessed to put Time's dial back a space, and to be standing once more on the northern slope of -the Peirâk with Dick's hand in his. "<i>There's the will, Major; it +the Peirâk with Dick's hand in his. "<i>There's the will, Major; it doesn't make any difference, you know</i>." The words came back to him clearly, and with them the mingled feeling of proud irritation and resentful self-respect which had made him set the blue envelope aside, @@ -4837,7 +4802,7 @@ like an old fool."</p> <p class="normal">The civilian followed his retreating figure with a good-natured smile. "He really was fond of that youngster," he said to himself. "The mere thought of it all has made him throw away half of the best cigar on -this side the Peirâk. By Jove! I won't give him another; it is too +this side the Peirâk. By Jove! I won't give him another; it is too extravagant."</p> <p class="normal">The next morning Philip Marsden came over to the Political quarters, @@ -4847,8 +4812,8 @@ asked John Raby to look over the rough draft of a will.</p> <p class="normal">"Leave it with me," was the reply, given with the usual easy good-nature. "It appears to me too legal, the common fault of -amateurs. I'll make it unimpeachable as Cćsar's wife, get one of my -<i>bâbus</i> to engross it, and bring it over ready for you to fill up the +amateurs. I'll make it unimpeachable as Cæsar's wife, get one of my +<i>bâbus</i> to engross it, and bring it over ready for you to fill up the names and sign this afternoon. No thanks required; that sort of thing amuses me."</p> @@ -4929,7 +4894,7 @@ it I'll return it."</p> even when danger lies ahead.</p> <p class="normal">That same evening the homeward bound post-runner carried with him over -the Peirâk Major Marsden's will leaving thirty thousand pounds to +the Peirâk Major Marsden's will leaving thirty thousand pounds to Belle Stuart unconditionally. It was addressed to an eminently respectable London firm of solicitors, who, not having to deal with the chances of war, would doubtless hold it in safe custody until it @@ -4984,13 +4949,13 @@ even to bring the tears to her eyes as she read the paragraph over again listlessly.</p> <br> -<p class="normal" style="font-size:90%"><span class="sc">Severe Fighting in the Terwân Pass. Gallant Charge of the 101st Sikhs. +<p class="normal" style="font-size:90%"><span class="sc">Severe Fighting in the Terwân Pass. Gallant Charge of the 101st Sikhs. List Of Officers Killed, Wounded, and Missing</span>.--The telegram which -reached Simla a few days ago reporting a severe skirmish in the Terwân +reached Simla a few days ago reporting a severe skirmish in the Terwân has now been supplemented by details. It appears that a small force consisting of some companies of the 101st Sikhs, the 24th Goorkhas, the 207th British Infantry, and a mule battery, were sent by the old -route over the Terwân Pass in order to report on its practical use. No +route over the Terwân Pass in order to report on its practical use. No opposition was expected, as the tribes in the vicinity had come in and were believed to be friendly. About the middle of the Pass, which proved to be far more difficult than was anticipated, a halt had to be @@ -5091,7 +5056,7 @@ Captain Stanley."</p> motherless children growing up at home who marry."</p> <p class="normal">Mabel flushed through her sallow skin and in her turn became tearful; -for in truth her <i>fiancé</i> was but too accurately described in these +for in truth her <i>fiancĂ©</i> was but too accurately described in these unflattering terms. "It is not your part to jeer at me for sacrificing myself to the interests of you girls. In our unfortunate position it is our duty to avail ourselves of the chances left us, and not to go @@ -5287,7 +5252,7 @@ misunderstood in India. First by the natives; they think a woman's interest means a desire for power. Then by the men of one's own class; they drag up 'grey mare the better horse,' &c. How I hate proverbs! You see, women out here divide themselves, as a rule, betwixt balls -and babies, so the men get <i>cliqué</i>. I don't defend it, but it's very +and babies, so the men get <i>cliquĂ©</i>. I don't defend it, but it's very natural. Most of us come out just at the age when a contempt for woman's intellect seems to make our beards grow faster, and we have no clever mixed society to act as an antidote to our own conceit. Now a @@ -5302,7 +5267,7 @@ is the better part of valour."</p> cried Belle, knitting very fast.</p> <p class="normal">"There are the balls,--and the babies; as Pendennis said to his wife, -'<i>Tout vient ŕ ceux qui savent attendre</i>.' By the way, I wonder where +'<i>Tout vient Ă ceux qui savent attendre</i>.' By the way, I wonder where the dickens the postman has gone to to-day? It's too bad to keep us waiting like this. I'll report him."</p> @@ -5599,7 +5564,7 @@ great contentment; though in his innermost heart he felt a little manly contempt for the feminine want of backbone which rendered such pliability possible. Only once did she show signs of the unstilled tempest of thought which lay beneath her calm manner. It was when, -later on in the evening during their nightly game of <i>écarté</i>, he +later on in the evening during their nightly game of <i>Ă©cartĂ©</i>, he complimented her on some <i>coup</i>, remarking that her skill seemed inherited. Then she started as if the cards she was handling had stung her, and her face flushed crimson with mingled pain and resentment; @@ -5663,9 +5628,9 @@ living one.</p> forehead bedewed with the sweat which ran down his hollow cheeks like teardrops, was fanning the flame of his own virtue with windy words in the dark outhouse which he designated the editor's room. Four square -yards of court beyond constituted the printing office of the <i>Jehâd</i>, +yards of court beyond constituted the printing office of the <i>Jehâd</i>, a bi-weekly paper of extreme views on every topic under the sun. For -the proprietors of <i>The Light of Islâm</i> having a wholesome regard to +the proprietors of <i>The Light of Islâm</i> having a wholesome regard to the expense of libels, had dispensed with the young man's eloquence as being too fervid for safety. So, Heaven knows by what pinching and paring, by what starvation-point of self-denial, the boy had saved and @@ -5702,12 +5667,12 @@ was the addressing for the post. Most of the packets bore the inscription <i>bearing</i>; but one, chosen with care, and cunningly corrected with a deft pen, never failed to carry the requisite stamp above the quaint address: <i>To my respectable and respected father, -Khân Mahommed Lateef Khân, in the house of the Khân of Khurtpore, Sudr +Khân Mahommed Lateef Khân, in the house of the Khân of Khurtpore, Sudr Bazaar, Faizapore</i>. Which is much as though one should address a Prince of the Blood to Tottenham Court Road.</p> <p class="normal">Then, with the precious parcels in his arms, and one copy in his -bosom, he would joyfully lock the door above which "Press of the Jehâd +bosom, he would joyfully lock the door above which "Press of the Jehâd Newspaper" was emblazoned in English, and make his way to some cheap cook-house, where, in honour of the occasion, he would purchase a farthing's worth of fried stuff to eat with his dry dough cakes. @@ -5744,18 +5709,18 @@ darker with determination to carry the sacred symbol where he chose; yea, even into the midst of the cursed idol-worshipping crew, despite all the municipal committees and fat, bribing usurers in the world.</p> -<p class="normal">The <i>Jehâd</i> was full of sublime wrath and valiant appeals for justice +<p class="normal">The <i>Jehâd</i> was full of sublime wrath and valiant appeals for justice to high Heaven, because a certain connecting alley between two of the big bazaars had been closed to the Mahomedans and given to the Hindus. True, another, and equally convenient, connection, had been allowed -the former; but for many years past the procession of <i>tâzzias</i> had +the former; but for many years past the procession of <i>tâzzias</i> had struggled through that particular alley, and the innovation was resented as an insult. East and west, mankind is made the same way. It was astonishing how many imperious demands on the resources of Providence this trivial change aroused in Murghub Ahmad. He called for justice, mercy, and religious freedom, for the stars as witness, for the days of Akbar. On the other hand, a rival print with an -unpronounceable title, clamoured for Bikramâjeet, the hero-king of +unpronounceable title, clamoured for Bikramâjeet, the hero-king of old, for Hindu independence and the sword. Either faction, it may be observed, asked for those things in others of which they had least themselves, after the way of factions all over the world.</p> @@ -5795,7 +5760,7 @@ he grew to be very fond of her, and there was scarcely any friction between them, since, moved by a certain gratitude for the change her money had wrought in his prospects, he gave her free play in everything that did not interfere with his settled plans. Half the -said money was already invested in Shunker Dâs's indigo concern, and +said money was already invested in Shunker Dâs's indigo concern, and John Raby was only awaiting its assured success to throw up his appointment and go openly into trade; but of this Belle knew nothing. She had money enough and to spare for all her wishes, and that was @@ -5842,8 +5807,8 @@ the goddess Durga! Ganges!)" told of Hindu fanaticism.</p> own. Bewildered, yet not alarmed, for her ignorance of religious ecstasy made her presuppose deference, she turned her horse once more, and rode towards the advancing <i>tazzias</i> at a foot's-pace. The look of -the crowd as she neared it was startling, but the cry of "<i>Jehâd! -Jehâd!</i> Death to the infidel!" seemed too incredible for fear; and ere +the crowd as she neared it was startling, but the cry of "<i>Jehâd! +Jehâd!</i> Death to the infidel!" seemed too incredible for fear; and ere the latter came with the conviction that not even for a judge <i>sahib's mem</i> would the stream slacken, a young man, his gaunt face encircled by a high green turban, rushed to the front and seized her horse by @@ -5884,7 +5849,7 @@ Hindus, breaking their ranks as, maddened by terror it plunged and bit. Only for a moment, however, for the packed mass of humanity closing in round it, held it harmless as in a vice.</p> -<p class="normal">"The charger of Pertâp!"<a name="div2Ref_04" href="#div2_04"><sup>[4]</sup></a> cried a huge rice-husker with ready wit, +<p class="normal">"The charger of Pertâp!"<a name="div2Ref_04" href="#div2_04"><sup>[4]</sup></a> cried a huge rice-husker with ready wit, as he leapt to the saddle, and coming rather to grief over the crutches, raised a roar of derision from the other side. He scowled dangerously. "Come on, brothers!" he cried, digging his heels @@ -5922,7 +5887,7 @@ Mahomedan line, and as a young man sprang to the pilaster of the mosque steps and harangued the crowd, every face settled into a deadly desire for revenge.</p> -<p class="normal">"Kill! Kill! Kill the idolaters--<i>Jehâd! Jehâd!</i>"--the cry of +<p class="normal">"Kill! Kill! Kill the idolaters--<i>Jehâd! Jehâd!</i>"--the cry of religious warfare rang in an instant from lip to lip. And now from behind came a fresh burst of enthusiasm, as a body of men naked to the waist pushed their way towards the front with ominous glint of @@ -6264,7 +6229,7 @@ soul, don't cry at getting your own way."</p> <br> <p class="normal">John Raby's announcement that he was about to leave the service fell -like a thunderbolt on his old friend Shunker Dâs, for that astute +like a thunderbolt on his old friend Shunker Dâs, for that astute gentleman had sketched out a very different programme in which the <i>shaitan sahib</i> was to figure as chief actor. Indeed, when the latter had first come nibbling round the indigo prize, Shunker had, as it @@ -6272,7 +6237,7 @@ were, asked him to dine off it, chuckling in his sleeve the while at the idea of getting his enemy into the toils. But then he knew nothing of the thirty thousand pounds, which the young civilian rightly considered a sufficient insurance against any punishment for breaking -the rules of his covenant. So all the Lâlâ's deft hounding of the +the rules of his covenant. So all the Lâlâ's deft hounding of the native papers on the track of "disgraceful corruption and disregard of law on the part of Mr. John Raby of the Civil Service" had simply resulted in bringing a personal supervision, destructive of @@ -6285,7 +6250,7 @@ built, new contracts made with growers throughout a large stretch of the district. On all sides Shunker found himself forestalled, outpaced, left in the cold. He would dearly have liked to break absolutely with this shrewd, unmerciful partner; yet to indulge this -desire meant loss, for the Lâlâ, despite his hatred of the work, was +desire meant loss, for the Lâlâ, despite his hatred of the work, was not blind to John Raby's supreme capability for making the business pay. He was torn asunder by rage at having been outwitted, and admiration for the wit which had effected the task. He came home one @@ -6293,11 +6258,11 @@ day to the square block of a house he owned on the outskirts of Saudaghur village, cursing freely, and longing for some covert means of relieving his spite. The recipient of his curses took them with stolid indifference. She was a dark-browed, deep-chested lump of a -woman, engaged in cooking the Lâlâ's dinner in a dutiful, +woman, engaged in cooking the Lâlâ's dinner in a dutiful, conscientious sort of way, while she kept one eye on a solid two-year-old boy who was busy over a pumpkin rind. This was Kirpo, the -absent Râm Lâl's wife, who had been sent to occupy this empty house of -the Lâlâ's for several reasons. Chiefly because it was out of the way +absent Râm Lâl's wife, who had been sent to occupy this empty house of +the Lâlâ's for several reasons. Chiefly because it was out of the way of scandal, and it had pleased Shunker to combine pleasure with the business of supporting her during her husband's imprisonment; wherefore, is one of those problems of human perversity best left @@ -6305,7 +6270,7 @@ alone. Kirpo herself had merely adopted the surest way of securing comfort and a pair of gold bangles, during this unpleasing interlude, and in her heart was longing to return to her rightful owner; but not without the bangles. There was, however, considerable divergence of -opinion between her and the Lâlâ on this point, resulting, on the one +opinion between her and the Lâlâ on this point, resulting, on the one side, in her refusal to retire discreetly before the off chance of any remission of her husband's sentence which might induce a premature appearance; and, on the other, in Shunker's half alarmed desire to let @@ -6313,7 +6278,7 @@ her risk her nose by discovery. Neither of them being altogether in earnest, and each anxiously awaiting symptoms of capitulation in the other.</p> -<p class="normal">"I don't care for your words, Lâlâ-<i>ji</i>," she retorted in answer to +<p class="normal">"I don't care for your words, Lâlâ-<i>ji</i>," she retorted in answer to his abuse. "We women have to eat curses, aye! and blows too; but we get our own way for all that. I mean to have the bangles, so the sooner you unstomach them the better." Her black brows met in @@ -6322,7 +6287,7 @@ unspeakable torments. "If you say much more I'll have the evil eye cast on that sickly Nuttu of yours. Mai-Bishen does it. You take seven hairs--"</p> -<p class="normal">"Be silent, she-devil!" shouted the Lâlâ turning green. "What ails you +<p class="normal">"Be silent, she-devil!" shouted the Lâlâ turning green. "What ails you to give the mind freedom on such things? Lo! I have been good to you, Kirpo, and the boy there,--would mine were like him!"</p> @@ -6352,7 +6317,7 @@ concealed insult of which no one but himself would know.</p> like thy friends in the bazaar I would not go, for they say she is easy to deceive and kind; but I am not bad. It is you who are bad. So I will go; but with the bangles, and with the boy too, in a -<i>khim-khâb</i> (cloth of gold) coat. 'Twill be as thy son. Lâlâ-<i>ji</i>, +<i>khim-khâb</i> (cloth of gold) coat. 'Twill be as thy son. Lâlâ-<i>ji</i>, remember, so thou wouldst not have him look a beggar."</p> <p class="normal">Her shrill laughter rang through the empty house, making an old woman @@ -6361,7 +6326,7 @@ the hag, "or she will lose her nose like Dhundei when they let her husband out of gaol by mistake. A grand mistake for poor Dhunnu! oho! oho!"</p> -<p class="normal">"Kirpo Devi," returned the Lâlâ, with a grin of concentrated +<p class="normal">"Kirpo Devi," returned the Lâlâ, with a grin of concentrated wickedness. "Thou shalt have the bangles, and then thou shall go see the <i>mem</i> first, and to damnation after. Mark my words, 'tis a true saying." For another suggestion of evil had sprung into vision, and he @@ -6382,15 +6347,15 @@ evasive, downcast figure in garments so rumpled as to suggest having been tied up in tight bundles for months; as indeed they had been, duly ticketed and put away in the store-rooms of the gaol.</p> -<p class="normal">"Holy Krishna!" muttered the Lâlâ, while drops of sweat at the thought -of the narrow escape oozed to his forehead, "'tis Râmu himself."</p> +<p class="normal">"Holy Krishna!" muttered the Lâlâ, while drops of sweat at the thought +of the narrow escape oozed to his forehead, "'tis Râmu himself."</p> -<p class="normal">And Râmu it was, scowling and suspicious. "Where's my house?" he asked +<p class="normal">And Râmu it was, scowling and suspicious. "Where's my house?" he asked after the curtest of greetings.</p> -<p class="normal">Unfortunately for the truth Shunker Dâs had answered this question in +<p class="normal">Unfortunately for the truth Shunker Dâs had answered this question in anticipation many times. So he was quite prepared. "Thy house, oh -Râmu? If she be not at home, God knoweth whither she hath gone. I +Râmu? If she be not at home, God knoweth whither she hath gone. I sent her here, for safety, seeing that women are uncertain even when ill-looking; but she hath left this security without my consent."</p> @@ -6402,39 +6367,39 @@ for himself.</p> <p class="normal">Shunker meanwhile was mentally offering a cheap but showy oblation to his pet deity for having suggested the abstraction of the brass pots -to Kirpo. "I say nothing, Râmu," he replied unctuously; "but this I +to Kirpo. "I say nothing, Râmu," he replied unctuously; "but this I know, that having placed her here virtuously with an old mother, who is even now engaged in work below, she hath fled, nor stayed her hand from taking things that are not hers. See, I am here without food even, driven to eat it from the bazaar, by reason of her wickedness; but I will call, and the old mother will fetch some; thou must be -hungry. Hadst thou sent word, Râmu, the faithful servant should have +hungry. Hadst thou sent word, Râmu, the faithful servant should have had a feast from the faithful master."</p> -<p class="normal">Râmu and he looked at each other steadily for a moment, like two dogs +<p class="normal">Râmu and he looked at each other steadily for a moment, like two dogs uncertain whether to growl or to be friends.</p> -<p class="normal">"Fret not because of one woman, Râmu," added his master peacefully. +<p class="normal">"Fret not because of one woman, Râmu," added his master peacefully. "Hadst thou sent word, she would have been at home doubtless. She is no worse than others."</p> <p class="normal">"She shall be worse by a nose," retorted his hearer viciously. Whereat -the Lâlâ laughed.</p> +the Lâlâ laughed.</p> <p class="normal">He sat talking to his old henchman till late on into the night, during the course of his conversation following so many trails of that -serpent, his own evil imaginings, that before Râmu, full of fresh -meats and wines, had fallen asleep, Shunker Dâs had almost persuaded +serpent, his own evil imaginings, that before Râmu, full of fresh +meats and wines, had fallen asleep, Shunker Dâs had almost persuaded himself, as well as the husband, that Kirpo's disappearance had something to do with gold bangles and a series of visits to the <i>shaitan sahib</i> in the rest-house, where, until their own was finished, the Rabys were living.</p> -<p class="normal">This scandalous suggestion found, to Râmu's mind, a certain +<p class="normal">This scandalous suggestion found, to Râmu's mind, a certain corroboration next day; for on his way to the station in order to return to Faizapore, he came full tilt on his wife, also hurrying to catch the train. The gold bangles on her wrists, and the fact of her -having remained in Saudaghur after leaving the Lâlâ's house, pointed +having remained in Saudaghur after leaving the Lâlâ's house, pointed to mischief. He flew at her like a mad dog, too angry even to listen. Now the station of Saudaghur was a good two miles from the town, and the road a lonely one; so that the enraged husband had no @@ -6458,12 +6423,12 @@ in contemptuous comprehension, as the woman, clutching fiercely with both hands, let go her veil, which falling aside, showed a noseless face; "'tis your own fault, no doubt."</p> -<p class="normal">"The Lâlâ! the Lâlâ!" shrieked Kirpo. "'Tis his doing."</p> +<p class="normal">"The Lâlâ! the Lâlâ!" shrieked Kirpo. "'Tis his doing."</p> -<p class="normal">"Shunker Dâs?" asked John Raby, reining up his horse in sudden +<p class="normal">"Shunker Dâs?" asked John Raby, reining up his horse in sudden interest.</p> -<p class="normal">"Yes, Shunker Dâs! He gave me the gold bangles for going to see your +<p class="normal">"Yes, Shunker Dâs! He gave me the gold bangles for going to see your <i>mem</i> and pretending to be his wife. He did it. The ill-begotten son of a hag, the vile offspring of a she-devil!"</p> @@ -6472,7 +6437,7 @@ the young man's ear. He listened to it with wonderful patience. "All you want, I suppose, is to punish your husband?" he asked, when she paused for breath.</p> -<p class="normal">"No!" almost yelled the woman. "The Lâlâ! the Lâlâ! I could choke him +<p class="normal">"No!" almost yelled the woman. "The Lâlâ! the Lâlâ! I could choke him on his own flesh."</p> <p class="normal">John Raby laughed. These half savages had certainly most expressive @@ -6507,36 +6472,36 @@ most delightful country. If Blanche Amory had lived here she would not have had to say, '<i>Il me faut des emotions</i>.' They sit at the gate, so to speak, and the contrasts give such a zest to life. You, with that white gown and all the accessories (as the studio-slang has it) are -like <i>pâté de foie</i> after the black bread of the Spartans. If you have +like <i>pâtĂ© de foie</i> after the black bread of the Spartans. If you have done your tea, go to the piano, there's a dear girl, and play me a -valse; <i>Ręves d'Amour</i> for choice; that will put the truffles to the -<i>pâté</i>."</p> +valse; <i>RĂŞves d'Amour</i> for choice; that will put the truffles to the +<i>pâtĂ©</i>."</p> <p class="normal">Kirpo squatting at the gate, waiting for vengeance, heard the gay notes. "What a noise!" she said to herself; "no beginning or end, just like a jackal's cry. I wish he would send the letter."</p> <p class="normal">It came at last; and Kirpo, for one, always believed that to it she -owed the fact that Râmu was caught, tried, sentenced, and imprisoned +owed the fact that Râmu was caught, tried, sentenced, and imprisoned for a whole year; for as she used to say, in telling the tale to her cronies, "I hadn't a cowrie or an ornament left, so it would have been no use complaining to the police."</p> -<p class="normal">The Lâlâ, too, impressed a like belief on the indignant Râmu. "'Tis +<p class="normal">The Lâlâ, too, impressed a like belief on the indignant Râmu. "'Tis true enough," he said, "that it is tyranny to deny a man his right to teach his wife caution; but there!--she went straight to Raby <i>sahib</i>, and now you are in for a whole year without a friend to stand treat, -my poor Râmu."</p> +my poor Râmu."</p> -<p class="normal">Râm Lâl's teeth chattered at the prospect of desertion. "But you will +<p class="normal">Râm Lâl's teeth chattered at the prospect of desertion. "But you will stand by me still, master?" he asked piteously.</p> -<p class="normal">"Wherefore, Râmu? Even a <i>buniah</i> leaves old scores alone when there +<p class="normal">"Wherefore, Râmu? Even a <i>buniah</i> leaves old scores alone when there is a receipt-stamp on the paper," chuckled the usurer. "Pray that thou hast not the same warder, oh my son! and come back to me, if thou wilst, when the time is over." He happened to be in high good spirits that morning owing to a slip on John Raby's part in regard to the -signing of some contract which promised to put rupees into the Lâlâ's +signing of some contract which promised to put rupees into the Lâlâ's private pocket. So much so, that he went to the rest-house in order to gloat over the prospect in his unconscious partner's presence. It was the first time that the latter had seen him since Kirpo's appeal and @@ -6582,7 +6547,7 @@ put me into rather a hole at all events."</p> <p class="normal">"A hole, John? What do you mean?"</p> -<p class="normal">"Why, even the Lâlâ won't work with me after this, and I must take all +<p class="normal">"Why, even the Lâlâ won't work with me after this, and I must take all the risk; there isn't much of course; but somehow I've been hustled all through. First by that foolish trial--"</p> @@ -6812,7 +6777,7 @@ hard-contested peace.</p> twilight had begun to fill the large bare room with shadows, and as, driven by the waning light from her books, she sat down at the piano, her fingers found one theme after another on the keys. Quite -carelessly they fell on the <i>Frühlingslied</i>, which three years before +carelessly they fell on the <i>FrĂĽhlingslied</i>, which three years before had wrought poor Dick's undoing. And then, suddenly, she seemed to feel the touch of his warm young lips on hers, to see the fire and worship of his eyes. Was <i>that</i> Love? she wondered, as her fingers @@ -6849,7 +6814,7 @@ me, my dear, my dear!"</p> predicament into which Fate and his impulsive actions had led him. During his long captivity he had so often faced the extreme probability of her marrying John Raby that the certainty which had met -him on his arrival at Kohât two days before had brought no surprise, +him on his arrival at Kohât two days before had brought no surprise, and but little pain. The past, he had said, was over. She had never liked him; and he? That too was over; had been over for months if, indeed, it had ever existed. He must go down at once, of course, @@ -6867,13 +6832,13 @@ cannot,--Why did you come like a thief in the night? Why did you not write? Why?--you should not have come, you should not!"</p> <p class="normal">"I did write," he answered gently, the blame in her tone seeming to -escape his ear. "I wrote from Kohât to tell you. The dog-cart was at +escape his ear. "I wrote from Kohât to tell you. The dog-cart was at the station and I thought--"</p> <p class="normal">"It was for John, not for you," she interrupted almost fiercely. "It was for my husband--" She broke off into silence.</p> -<p class="normal">"Yes; I heard at Kohât you were married."</p> +<p class="normal">"Yes; I heard at Kohât you were married."</p> <p class="normal">He could not see her face, nor she his, and once more her voice was petulant in complaint. "You startled me. No one could have seen in the @@ -6923,9 +6888,9 @@ wonder," he answered, and though he spoke lightly there was a new tone in his voice which always remained in it afterwards when he addressed her. "I thought I was dead myself. Come, let us sit down, and I will tell you how it all happened. Yes, I thought I was dead; at least so -Afzul Khân declares--"</p> +Afzul Khân declares--"</p> -<p class="normal">"Afzul Khân! That was the name of the sepoy you arrested at +<p class="normal">"Afzul Khân! That was the name of the sepoy you arrested at Faizapore."</p> <p class="normal">Did she remember that? It was so long ago; long before the day he had @@ -6937,7 +6902,7 @@ speech, and so he plunged into it, explaining, at far greater length than he would otherwise have done, how he came to be sitting beside her, instead of lying with whitening bones in some deep pool in the mountains. He must, he said, have become unconscious from loss of -blood, and slipped into the river after he was wounded, for Afzul Khân +blood, and slipped into the river after he was wounded, for Afzul Khân from his place of concealment on the water's edge had seen him drifting down and dragged him to safety. They were a queer lot, the Afghans, and Afzul believed he owed the Major a life. After that it @@ -6965,7 +6930,7 @@ her seal on the passes. So there they had remained, fairly comfortable, until spring melted the snows. "And," he added with a smile, for Belle's face had resumed its calm, "I grew quite fat, in comparison! Yet they all took me for a ghost when I walked in to the -mess-room at Kohât one evening after dinner,--just as I walked in +mess-room at Kohât one evening after dinner,--just as I walked in here."</p> <p class="normal">But her truthful eyes looked into his and declined the excuse. "No! I @@ -6999,10 +6964,10 @@ the open French window.</p> <p class="normal">"Who is that?" she asked, half startled.</p> -<p class="normal">"Afzul Khân. I can't take him back to the regiment, of course, but he +<p class="normal">"Afzul Khân. I can't take him back to the regiment, of course, but he came so far with me. He has business, he says, in Faizapore."</p> -<p class="normal">"Afzul Khân! Call him here, please."</p> +<p class="normal">"Afzul Khân! Call him here, please."</p> <p class="normal">It was a curious group: those two bound to each other by such a tissue of misunderstanding and mistake, and the Pathan responsible for part @@ -7032,7 +6997,7 @@ over-arching sky seemed all too slight for its surroundings.</p> <p class="normal">"You must be very lonely here," he said abruptly.</p> <p class="normal">Her light laugh startled him. "Not to-night at any rate! To-night is -high holiday, and I only hope the <i>khânsâmah</i> will give us a good +high holiday, and I only hope the <i>khânsâmah</i> will give us a good dinner. Come! you must be hungry."</p> <p class="normal">Thinking over it afterwards the rest of the evening seemed like a @@ -7151,7 +7116,7 @@ arrested by his own fancy a night-heron flitted past; its broad white wings whirred softly, and its plumed head, craning forward, with blood-red eyes searching the shadows, cleft the moonlight. By some strange jugglery of fancy it reminded him of a picture by Gustave -Doré, and with the remembrance of Francesca da Rimini came that of the +DorĂ©, and with the remembrance of Francesca da Rimini came that of the scared look in poor Belle's face.</p> <p class="normal">He turned aside impatiently beset once more by the desire for escape @@ -7369,7 +7334,7 @@ moods was trustworthy, and that a woman who discovers some other man to be nearer the sun than her husband, must necessarily call her marriage a failure, and so forfeit some measure of her self-respect. Her righteous ignorance simply made her feel, as she looked at the -well-laid table, that here were all the elements of a <i>mariage ŕ +well-laid table, that here were all the elements of a <i>mariage Ă trois</i>; an idea hateful to her, and from which, according to what she had been taught, the only escape was flight. Yet how could there be flight if John would not give up the money? And then the thought that @@ -7439,7 +7404,7 @@ other, but I will stop till to-morrow. We might ride over in the morning to the house, if you have a horse at my disposal?"</p> <p class="normal">"They are all at your disposal," said Belle quickly. "Major Marsden -can ride Suleimân, John. I shall not want him."</p> +can ride Suleimân, John. I shall not want him."</p> <p class="normal">They dined in the garden again that evening, but it was a different affair, and the perception that it was so added to Belle's wild @@ -7481,7 +7446,7 @@ the advantage in position. He could show his friendship in an unmistakable way, while poor Belle had only the far harder task of receiving benefits.</p> -<p class="normal">"You don't remember Suleimân, my Arab at Faizapore?" she said as they +<p class="normal">"You don't remember Suleimân, my Arab at Faizapore?" she said as they cantered off. "You are riding him now,--oh, don't apologise, the pony does well enough for me; John gave me such a delightful surprise in buying him back after we were married."</p> @@ -7536,7 +7501,7 @@ horse and was at her side before she could reply.</p> meet you at the corner, Marsden, in twenty minutes."</p> <p class="normal">"Steady, lad, steady!" murmured the Major with his head under the flap -of the saddle, as Suleimân figeted to join his stable-companion. Belle +of the saddle, as Suleimân figeted to join his stable-companion. Belle standing, tapping her boot with her whip, moved forward. "Give me the reins. I don't see why you should do everything."</p> @@ -7559,11 +7524,11 @@ promontory which lay right at the other side of the bend.</p> <p class="normal">"Nonsense! John comes this way every week; it's all right." Belle gave her pony a cut, making it forge ahead; but it was no match for -Suleimân who, unaccustomed to the spur, bounded past her.</p> +Suleimân who, unaccustomed to the spur, bounded past her.</p> <p class="normal">"Pull up, please; don't be foolish, pull up!" Philip shouted, hearing the ominous cloop of his horse's feet. Another dig of the spur, a -leap, a flounder, and Suleimân was over the creek. Not so Belle's +leap, a flounder, and Suleimân was over the creek. Not so Belle's pony; slower, heavier, it was hopelessly bogged in a second, and floundering about, sank deeper and deeper.</p> @@ -7575,9 +7540,9 @@ of her weight, was plunging like a mad thing and churning up the sand and water to slush. "I must get a purchase first; these sands hold like birdlime;" he said after an ineffectual attempt. "Don't be frightened if I let go for a moment." Then with one hand through -Suleimân's stirrup he knelt once more on the extreme edge of the firm +Suleimân's stirrup he knelt once more on the extreme edge of the firm ground and got a grip of Belle again. "Now then,--all together!" More -all together than he desired, for Suleimân, alarmed at the strain, +all together than he desired, for Suleimân, alarmed at the strain, backed violently, reared, and finally broke away, leaving Philip prone on his back in the dirt. "I hope I didn't hurt you," he said, struggling up, rather blindly, to aid Belle's final flounder to safe @@ -7683,7 +7648,7 @@ unworthy of Philip.</p> <h2><a name="div1_20" href="#div1Ref_20">CHAPTER XX.</a></h2> <br> -<p class="normal">Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a +<p class="normal">Afzul Khân was sitting in Shunker Dâs's house at Faizapore with a frown upon his face. He had come all the way in order to consult Mahomed Lateef, the old Syyed, about a certain blue envelope which was hidden away in his <i>posteen</i>, only to find that the old man had @@ -7691,7 +7656,7 @@ retreated before his enemies to his last foothold of land, while the usurer had enlarged his borders at the expense of the ruined old chief's ruined house.</p> -<p class="normal">Now Mahomed Lateef was Afzul Khân's patron. In this way. The latter +<p class="normal">Now Mahomed Lateef was Afzul Khân's patron. In this way. The latter was foster-brother to that dead son who had died gloriously in the regiment, and who had been born at an outpost on the frontier. Indeed, but for the old man, Afzul would never have put the yoke of service @@ -7704,7 +7669,7 @@ cooking-pots where there used to be but one. Yet business was business, and Shunker might be able to tell him what had become of the Commissariat-Colonel <i>sahib's</i> daughter; for Afzul had had the address of the letter spelt out for him by a self-satisfied little schoolboy -at Kohât, and knew enough of poor Dick's family history to suppose +at Kohât, and knew enough of poor Dick's family history to suppose that Belle Stuart must be his cousin.</p> <p class="normal">"Estuart <i>sahib's</i> daughter," echoed Shunker, a sullen scowl settling @@ -7768,7 +7733,7 @@ idolater had lied in other things, it was true, about the <i>mem</i> and the Major, he had seen that with his own eyes. Had Dick <i>sahib</i> been her lover too? And what did both those brave ones see in such a poor, thin creature? Truly the ways of the <i>sahib-logue</i> were past finding -out. Nevertheless he would seek out the old Khân, and see what he +out. Nevertheless he would seek out the old Khân, and see what he said. Shunker might be lying, all except that about the <i>mem-sahib</i> and the Major; that was true.</p> @@ -7787,25 +7752,25 @@ allows nothing to go to waste. Yet it was not empty of all, for as the Pathan knocked again, a child, bubbling over with laughter, ran from a dark door into the sunlight.</p> -<p class="normal">"Nâna, Nâna! [grand-dad] catch, catch!" it cried, and its little legs, +<p class="normal">"Nâna, Nâna! [grand-dad] catch, catch!" it cried, and its little legs, unsteady though they were, kept their advantage on the long ones behind, long but old; crippled too with rheumatism and want of food to keep the stern old heart in fighting order; yet bubbling over with laughter, also, was the stern old face. "Catch thee, gazelle of the desert! fleetest son of Byramghor! Who could catch thee? Ah, God and his Prophet! thou hast not hurt thyself, little heart of my heart! -What, no tears? Fâtma, Fâtma! the boy hath fallen and on my life he +What, no tears? Fâtma, Fâtma! the boy hath fallen and on my life he hath not shed a tear. <i>Ai</i>, the bold heart! <i>ai</i>, the brave man!"</p> <p class="normal">An old woman, bent almost double with age, crept from the door. She kissed the child's feet as it sat throned in its grandfather's arms. Her lips could reach no higher, but that was high enough for worship. "He never cries! None of them cried, and he is like them all," -she crooned. "Dost have a mind, Khân <i>sahib</i>, of Futteh Mahomed +she crooned. "Dost have a mind, Khân <i>sahib</i>, of Futteh Mahomed falling?--the first, and I so frightened. There was a scratch a finger long on his knee and--"</p> -<p class="normal">"Peace, Fâtma, and go back! There is a stranger at the door. Go back, +<p class="normal">"Peace, Fâtma, and go back! There is a stranger at the door. Go back, I say!"</p> <p class="normal">It was a difficult task to draw the veil over those bent shoulders, @@ -7818,7 +7783,7 @@ Afzul, brother of the breast."</p> <p class="normal">"Afzul!" The old martinet's face grew dark. "The only Afzul I knew was a runaway and a deserter. Art thou he?"</p> -<p class="normal">"Ay! Khân <i>sahib</i>," replied the man calmly. "I ran away because I had +<p class="normal">"Ay! Khân <i>sahib</i>," replied the man calmly. "I ran away because I had sold my life to Marsden <i>sahib</i>, and I wanted to buy it back again. I have done it, and I am free."</p> @@ -7826,17 +7791,17 @@ have done it, and I am free."</p> brave! Pity there was none to stand between him and death as on that day when my son died."</p> -<p class="normal">"Thou liest, Khân <i>sahib</i>. I stood in my brother's place. Marsden +<p class="normal">"Thou liest, Khân <i>sahib</i>. I stood in my brother's place. Marsden <i>sahib</i> is not dead. I left him three days ago at Saudaghur."</p> <p class="normal">"Not dead? This is a tale! A prisoner no doubt. <i>Inshallah!</i> my blood -scents something worth words. Here, Fâtma, take the child; or, stay, +scents something worth words. Here, Fâtma, take the child; or, stay, it's best he should hear too. Such things sink through the skin and strengthen the heart. And bring food, woman, what thou hast, and no excuses. A brave man stomachs all save insult."</p> <p class="normal">So, with the child on his knee, the old soldier listened to Afzul -Khân's story, while in the dark room beyond the women positively shed +Khân's story, while in the dark room beyond the women positively shed tears of shame over the poor appearance which the plain <i>bajra</i>,<a name="div2Ref_06" href="#div2_06"><sup>[6]</sup></a> cakes, unsweetened, unbuttered, presented on the big brass platter.</p> @@ -7847,7 +7812,7 @@ will not mind for a day."</p> forsooth! What next? Women nowadays have no heart. A strange man, and the boy's milk forsooth!"</p> -<p class="normal">Haiyât <i>bibi</i> blushed under her brown skin. Hers was a hard life with +<p class="normal">Haiyât <i>bibi</i> blushed under her brown skin. Hers was a hard life with her husband far over the black water, and this stern old man and woman for gaolers. But the boy was hers; she hugged that knowledge to her heart and it comforted her.</p> @@ -7869,7 +7834,7 @@ duty, then it would be a different matter. Ay! the new factory was but ten miles up the river, but no one lived there as yet.</p> <p class="normal">Now the matter of the blue envelope became more and more oppressive to -Afzul Khân the more he thought of it. Easy enough to send it +Afzul Khân the more he thought of it. Easy enough to send it anonymously to Raby <i>sahib's mem</i>, and so be quit of it once for all; but what if she had taken the Major's money, as Shunker asserted, in order to buy a new husband? And what if this paper of Eshmitt @@ -7914,7 +7879,7 @@ fair. God and his Prophet! but their ways are confusing. 'Tis better to steal and fight as we do; it makes the women faithful."</p> <p class="normal">That evening he spent half an hour with a needle and thread, borrowed -from old Fâtma, in sewing the blue envelope safely into his skin-coat. +from old Fâtma, in sewing the blue envelope safely into his skin-coat. Then he sat once more stirring the old Mohammedan's blood with tales of fight and adventure till far on into the night. Yet the earliest blink of dawn found him creeping away from the still sleeping @@ -7926,7 +7891,7 @@ see the tall figure standing in the sunlight. Fool that he had been not to fire, instead of giving himself away at a mere word! Even now, though he knew that but for him Philip Marsden's bones would have been churning in a dreary dance of death at the bottom of some boiling pool -in the Terwân torrent, he felt the bitterness of defeat. His very +in the Terwân torrent, he felt the bitterness of defeat. His very admiration, growing as it did with the other's display of pluck, added to his resentment. To take an order from a man when you had your finger on the trigger of your rifle! It was all very well to save a @@ -8007,7 +7972,7 @@ John Raby, in his cheerful confident way. "The new dam will be finished, I hope, the water will come in at high level to the garden, the place will be a paradise of flowers, and we shall be dividing thirty per cent, profit! There's a prospect! Oh, by the way, did I -ever tell you that beast Shunker Dâs came down just after you did, +ever tell you that beast Shunker Dâs came down just after you did, Marsden, expecting to find me on my back like a turned turtle? His face, when he saw I was jolly as a sand-boy, was a caution! By George! that man does hate me and no mistake."</p> @@ -8116,7 +8081,7 @@ given before now as fair cause for doing an unfortunate usurer to death with quarterstaves. So Shunker did not disturb primeval calm too rudely. Nevertheless as he paused for a night ere returning to Faizapore, in the empty house at Saudaghur, where Kirpo had passed the -months of Râmu's captivity, he felt content with his labours. He had +months of Râmu's captivity, he felt content with his labours. He had started a stone of unpopularity on its travels, which by and by would bring down an avalanche on his enemy.</p> @@ -8136,17 +8101,17 @@ tall and menacing standing beside the bed. The veil wrapped tightly round her body, left her disfigured death's-head face visible.</p> <p class="normal">"Don't be more of a coward than need be," she said scornfully, as the -Lâlâ, after shooting up like a Jack-in-the-box, began to sidle away +Lâlâ, after shooting up like a Jack-in-the-box, began to sidle away from her, his dangling legs swinging wildly in his efforts to move his fat form. "I've not come to beat the breath from thy carcase. 'Twill die soon enough, never fear; and just now there is a son to perform the obsequies. There won't be one by and by."</p> <p class="normal">The indifference of her voice, and the aptness of her words to his own -thoughts, roused the Lâlâ's rage. "What dost want, hag of a noseless +thoughts, roused the Lâlâ's rage. "What dost want, hag of a noseless one?" he shrieked, "she-devil! base-born!--"</p> -<p class="normal">"Not bad words, Lâlâ," she interrupted calmly. "I've had enough of +<p class="normal">"Not bad words, Lâlâ," she interrupted calmly. "I've had enough of them. I want money. I'm starving; thou knowest it. What else could I be?"</p> @@ -8159,30 +8124,30 @@ into abuse she looked at him curiously, drew her veil so as to hide all but her great dark eyes, and squatted down, as if for a chat, on the ground opposite to him.</p> -<p class="normal">"Look here, Lâlâ!" she said. "This is no matter for ill words: 'tis +<p class="normal">"Look here, Lâlâ!" she said. "This is no matter for ill words: 'tis business. What is past, is past. I'm going to give thee a chance for the future--a last chance! Dost hear? So I've come to say I am starving. For six months I paid for my food in this very place; paid for it in thy pleasure. Fair and square so far. But now, because of -that pleasure, Râmu is in jail again and I am noseless. Then Râmu's +that pleasure, Râmu is in jail again and I am noseless. Then Râmu's people have taken his sons,--<i>hai! hai!</i> his beautiful sons--from me -because of that pleasure. Is not that payment enough, Lâlâ? Shall I +because of that pleasure. Is not that payment enough, Lâlâ? Shall I starve also?"</p> <p class="normal">"Why not?" chuckled Shunker, "I have no need of thee any more."</p> <p class="normal">Kirpo leaned forward with hand raised in warning, her fierce eyes on -his face. "Have a care, Lâlâ! Have a care! It is the last chance. Thou +his face. "Have a care, Lâlâ! Have a care! It is the last chance. Thou dost not want me; good. I asked for naught to be taken; I asked for something to be given."</p> <p class="normal">"Not a <i>paisa</i>, not a <i>pai!</i>" broke in the usurer brutally. "I'm glad of thy starvation; I'm glad they've taken away thy sons."</p> -<p class="normal">"Stop, Lâlâ!" shrieked Kirpo, her calm gone, her voice ringing with -passion. "I did not say <i>my</i> sons! I said Râmu's! Look, Shunker, look! +<p class="normal">"Stop, Lâlâ!" shrieked Kirpo, her calm gone, her voice ringing with +passion. "I did not say <i>my</i> sons! I said Râmu's! Look, Shunker, look! I have another,--" as she spoke, she tore her veil aside--"in my arms, -Lâlâ! Is he not fair and strong for a two months' babe? Would you not +Lâlâ! Is he not fair and strong for a two months' babe? Would you not like to have him? No, no, hands off, no touching! He is mine, I say, mine, mine!" She sprang to her feet holding the baby high above his head exultantly. He sat staring at it, and trembled like a leaf.</p> @@ -8200,7 +8165,7 @@ passionate kisses.</p> <p class="normal">"Kirpo! by all the torments of hell--" urged Shunker.</p> -<p class="normal">"What! art there already? Not so fast, Lâlâ! not so fast. Wait till I +<p class="normal">"What! art there already? Not so fast, Lâlâ! not so fast. Wait till I bring this babe to curse thy pyre, to spit on thy ashes,--thy son--thy son!"</p> @@ -8213,7 +8178,7 @@ folded her veil round the sleeping child with a flourish, as if to emphasise her words, and stepped backwards. As she stood there sombre, malignant, the winged thoughts flew through Shunker's brain. There is, strictly speaking, no possible divorce, no remarriage for the Hindu; -but if Râmu could be got out of the way, he, Shunker Dâs, might pose +but if Râmu could be got out of the way, he, Shunker Dâs, might pose as a social reformer. It was a fine idea. Or he might,--a thousand suggestions found expression in the covetous hands he stretched towards his victim. "Kirpo, listen!"</p> @@ -8222,12 +8187,12 @@ towards his victim. "Kirpo, listen!"</p> <p class="normal">"Kirpo! take what thou likest--"</p> -<p class="normal">"I <i>will</i> take what I like, Lâlâ. That is revenge!" Before he could +<p class="normal">"I <i>will</i> take what I like, Lâlâ. That is revenge!" Before he could say another word she had turned her back on him, and ere he could rise to stop her was down the narrow stair and out into the street with her precious burden.</p> -<p class="normal">So Lâlâ Shunker Dâs lay down and cried, because not one of the women +<p class="normal">So Lâlâ Shunker Dâs lay down and cried, because not one of the women his wealth had bought could bear him a son save this Kirpo whom he had betrayed. Fool that he was not to have seen she must have some deep move on hand ere she came to beg of him! Revenge! He had dreamt of @@ -8243,7 +8208,7 @@ way direct to the enemy's camp; in other words to John Raby's new factory. The <i>sahib</i> had interfered on her behalf once, and he hated Shunker. He could give her coolie's work on the new dam, and in return she could give him valuable information as to the usurer's little -game. The Lâlâ, had had his chance, partly for the sake of comfort, +game. The Lâlâ, had had his chance, partly for the sake of comfort, partly for the sake of the child. Now she would devote herself to revenge and gain a living at the same time.</p> @@ -8441,7 +8406,7 @@ him back to life, and where he and she had spent so many days forgetful of the work-a-day world, content in a kindly constant companionship, was now a luxurious house hedged about by conventionalities. The drawing-room, where his sofa had reigned -supreme, was full of <i>bric-ŕ-brac</i> tables and heaven knows what +supreme, was full of <i>bric-Ă -brac</i> tables and heaven knows what obstacles, through which a man had to thread his way like a performing ape. Belle herself, despite her kind face and soft voice, was no longer the caretaker full of sympathy. She was his hostess, his @@ -8597,7 +8562,7 @@ dammed, and then, according to John, I shall get my money back in two years. So cheer up; freedom is beneath your feet!"</p> <p class="normal">Just below them, measuring up earthwork, stood John Raby and Afzul -Khân. As they passed the latter looked up, <i>salaaming</i> with broad +Khân. As they passed the latter looked up, <i>salaaming</i> with broad grins. "I wonder if he will take her away soon," was his thought. "I wish he would; then I could get rid of the paper and be off home by summer with Raby <i>sahib's</i> rupees in my pocket. What is he waiting @@ -8629,7 +8594,7 @@ luxurious home she seemed out of keeping with Afzul and his bandits, the tag-rag and bobtail of squalid coolies swarming about the place, and the stolid indifference of the peasants beyond the factory.</p> -<p class="normal">"A <i>protégée</i> of John's. He got her out of trouble somewhere. He says +<p class="normal">"A <i>protĂ©gĂ©e</i> of John's. He got her out of trouble somewhere. He says he has the biggest lot of miscreants on the frontier on his works. They don't look much, I must allow; but this woman seems to like me. She has such a jolly baby. I had to doctor it last week. How's Nuttu @@ -8702,14 +8667,14 @@ have changed the current of subsequent events; but Fate decreed otherwise.</p> <p class="normal">More than once, seeing the daily increasing poverty of his patron, -Afzul Khân had suggested an appeal to the Major, as one sure to do +Afzul Khân had suggested an appeal to the Major, as one sure to do something for the father of the man who had stood between him and death; but the stubborn old malcontent had lumped the whole Western creation in his category of ingrates. "The past is past," he would say angrily. "I will not even ask justice from one of them. And, according to thy tales, Marsden <i>sahib</i> has taken to trade and leagued himself with Raby, who is no better than a <i>buniah</i>,--no better than Shunker -Bahâdur, whom God smite to hell! Hast heard what they are doing down +Bahâdur, whom God smite to hell! Hast heard what they are doing down yonder? Pera Ditta was here last week, saying his land was to be sold because he could not pay. And how could he pay when water never came? And how could water come when strangers enter and build dams without @@ -8772,13 +8737,13 @@ the vexed question of the frequency of flood in past years could be decided one way or the other, he felt certain that the sight of the surrounding prosperity would have overcome all opposition.</p> -<p class="normal">Afzul Khân, however, only half in the secret, believed that the +<p class="normal">Afzul Khân, however, only half in the secret, believed that the sluice-gate might be made by an appeal to Major Marsden; and, when the latter came to the factory, took a day's leave on purpose to rouse the -old Khân to action, it being quite hopeless to expect him to ask a +old Khân to action, it being quite hopeless to expect him to ask a favour of John Raby, of whom he never spoke save with a gibe. Perhaps the thought of seeing a familiar face influenced the old man, for when -the argument reached its usual climax of, "And the child, Khân +the argument reached its usual climax of, "And the child, Khân <i>sahib</i>, what of the child?" he gave a fierce sigh, and pressing the boy, who was sitting on his knee, closer to his heart, muttered impatiently, "What is the pride of a man before the hunger of a child? @@ -8791,7 +8756,7 @@ became restive again. "I know not that I will go. He owes me somewhat, talk of trade; 'tis not a soldier's task."</p> <p class="normal">The Pathan leaning over the shining blade breathed on it to test its -lustre. "<i>Wah!</i> Khân <i>sahib</i>, all's fair in love and war. Men do much +lustre. "<i>Wah!</i> Khân <i>sahib</i>, all's fair in love and war. Men do much for the sake of a woman without tarnishing their honour longer than my breath lingers on good steel. Marsden <i>sahib</i> did it for love of the <i>mem</i>, look you."</p> @@ -8799,7 +8764,7 @@ breath lingers on good steel. Marsden <i>sahib</i> did it for love of the <p class="normal">The old man scowled. "I like not that either. Let him choose the one or the other, and use his sword to keep his choice."</p> -<p class="normal">Afzul smiled cunningly. "Wait a while, Khân <i>sahib</i>, wait a while; the +<p class="normal">Afzul smiled cunningly. "Wait a while, Khân <i>sahib</i>, wait a while; the fowler must have time to lure his bird, and some women have cold hearts."</p> @@ -8812,18 +8777,18 @@ pocket; it lies heavy on an empty stomach."</p> <p class="normal">So they borrowed a pink-nosed pony from the pleader's father in the next village, and with his little grandson, arrayed in huge turban and tarnished tinsel coatee, disposed in front of the high-peaked saddle, -Khân Mahomed Lateef Khân set off to see the Major and plead the +Khân Mahomed Lateef Khân set off to see the Major and plead the child's cause. A picturesque group they made, as they passed along the sandy ways and treeless stretches of hard sun-baked soil; Afzul leading the pony, the boy laughing and clapping his hands at the novelty, the old soldier's white beard showing whiter than ever -against the child's dark curls, Fâtma and Haiyât standing outside, +against the child's dark curls, Fâtma and Haiyât standing outside, recklessly unveiled, to shriek parting blessings and injunctions. And lo! after all these preparations, after all this screwing up of courage and letting down of pride, the Major had gone! Afzul could scarcely believe his ears. Gone! and he had been reckoning on giving certain hints about Dick's will which might have served to bring -matters to a crisis. He returned to the hut where he had left the Khân +matters to a crisis. He returned to the hut where he had left the Khân and his grandson while he went to arrange for an interview, and tried to persuade Mahomed Lateef not to allow his journey to go for nothing, but to prefer his request to Raby <i>sahib</i> himself. He might even write @@ -8877,7 +8842,7 @@ she hath a heart of ice," quavered the old voice, seeking for excuse, and escape from responsibility.</p> <p class="normal">"Who can count on a woman? but death is sure; and she is wise in such -ways, I know. Say, Khân <i>sahib</i>, shall I go?"</p> +ways, I know. Say, Khân <i>sahib</i>, shall I go?"</p> <p class="normal">There was an instant's pause, broken by the child's hoarse crow. Then the faith of a life-time spoke. "Go! It is Kismet. Give her the @@ -8885,7 +8850,7 @@ chance; it is God's will to give it. She may not come, and then--"</p> <p class="normal">But ten minutes after Belle Raby in her soft white evening dress had the struggling child in her arms and reassuring words on her lips. -Afzul Khân, too, held a bottle and a teaspoon, whereat Kirpo's face +Afzul Khân, too, held a bottle and a teaspoon, whereat Kirpo's face broadened to content. "Have no fear, master," she whispered in the old man's ear; "'tis the same one, I swear it. A charm, a potent charm!"</p> @@ -8964,7 +8929,7 @@ kindness. They are due; they are justly due."</p> stretched his chubby little arms skyward. "May God bring justice to those who brought injustice to my father."</p> -<p class="normal">Khân Mahomed Lateef Khân started as if he had been shot, and his right +<p class="normal">Khân Mahomed Lateef Khân started as if he had been shot, and his right hand fell sharply on the child's shoulder, then wandered to his sword-hilt. "It is Fate," he muttered gloomily. "Out of his own mouth I am rebuked."</p> @@ -9091,7 +9056,7 @@ high-strung nerves scarcely felt a jolt.</p> <p class="normal">So the spring came, bringing to the garden a rush of blossom well-nigh impossible of description to those accustomed to slow northern lands. -Belle could have picked clothes-baskets full of Maréchal Niel roses +Belle could have picked clothes-baskets full of MarĂ©chal Niel roses from the bushes and yet have left them burdened with great yellow cups. The pomegranates glowed with a scarlet positively dazzling to the eyes; the gardenias were all too strongly scented; the bees and @@ -9272,7 +9237,7 @@ muttered a curse, and settled himself down in a new position. So what Shunker had said was true, and, disfigured as she was, Kirpo still kept her hold on the <i>shaitan sahib</i>. But for a promise he had made to the usurer not to anticipate the great revenge brewing for John Raby's -discomfiture, Râmu (for it was he, once more out of prison) would have +discomfiture, Râmu (for it was he, once more out of prison) would have asked nothing better than to have waited patiently till Kirpo appeared again, and then in the darkness to have fallen on her and killed her outright. As it was he sat with eyes fixed on the door, controlling @@ -9305,7 +9270,7 @@ all, the concern was a good concern, a rattling good business; and he, John Raby, had plucked the plum out of Shunker's very hands. That last thought was always provocative of a smile.</p> -<p class="normal">Meanwhile the Lâlâ was smiling too. The reappearance of Râmu,--who +<p class="normal">Meanwhile the Lâlâ was smiling too. The reappearance of Râmu,--who seemed to keep all his virtue for the purpose of procuring a ticket-of-leave,--had considerably strengthened the usurer's hands by providing him with one absolutely reckless tool. When the time came @@ -9468,7 +9433,7 @@ laugh, "it will give you leisure to get over your confession. It's awfully nice to have some one to be penitent in your place. It saves a lot of bother. Don't you remember Florac's reply to Pendennis about his mother's tears. 'You must have made her weep a good deal,' says -Pen 'Mais enormément, mon cher!'"</p> +Pen 'Mais enormĂ©ment, mon cher!'"</p> <p class="normal">A few minutes later he had left her with a kindly good-bye, and a recommendation to take things easy as he did. As she walked up and @@ -9489,7 +9454,7 @@ welcome, and looking into her face curiously.</p> <p class="normal">"Nothing," she answered hurriedly; "nothing in the least important. Only--I wanted to see you. Come in; you must be tired, that beast has -such rough paces; I would have sent Suleimân, but he is lame. Come in, +such rough paces; I would have sent Suleimân, but he is lame. Come in, tea is ready."</p> <p class="normal">So she ran on, and Philip, who, to say sooth, had been on tenter-hooks @@ -9616,7 +9581,7 @@ was to retrieve his self-respect and hers, was too precious. Another instant and he was searching frantically for his revolver among his half-unpacked things, and feeling a certain fierce joy in anticipation of the struggle to come. A quick snatch, a breathless relief, and he -looked up to find Afzul Khân standing by the only door of exit from +looked up to find Afzul Khân standing by the only door of exit from the room. "Afzul!" he cried, "why are you here? Why are you not at your post when there is danger afoot? Follow me at once!"</p> @@ -9733,21 +9698,21 @@ The corollary he drew from this premise--that he was to be congratulated on good luck--was not so sure. For there are times when the unforeseen acts as a spur to those who, when prepared, often lack the courage of action. And this was the case with a large body of the -malcontents whom Shunker Dâs, aided of late by his lieutenant Râm Lâl, +malcontents whom Shunker Dâs, aided of late by his lieutenant Râm Lâl, had been diligently instructing in the necessity for resistance at the proper time. But a vague formula of this sort is a very different thing in the eyes of the stolid law-abiding peasant, from the resolution that to-day, this hour, this minute, they had to set aside their inherited endurance, their ancestral calm, and fight. So, had the floods come in due course and after due warning, it is more than -probable that even Râm Lâl's reckless desire for revenge would have +probable that even Râm Lâl's reckless desire for revenge would have failed to excite the people to the organised attack on the new dam towards which all Shunker's machinations had tended, and in which he saw at least temporary ruin to his enemy's plans. Fate, however, provided the element of surprise, and, to these slow-brained rebels, seemed to leave no choice beyond instant revolt or instant submission.</p> -<p class="normal">Aided by Râm Lâl's envoys the news that the river was rising travelled +<p class="normal">Aided by Râm Lâl's envoys the news that the river was rising travelled fast; down the depression of cultivated land along which--given a high flood-mark--the water might be expected: nor was the assertion wanting that such a flood-mark had already been reached during the past two @@ -9757,7 +9722,7 @@ from village to village, eager to discuss the position, and by degrees gaining a certain coherence of intention. Even those who hung back from the idea of active interference joining the crowd out of curiosity and so increasing the quantity of human tinder ready for -ignition by the smallest spark. Before noon Khân Mahomed Lateef Khân, +ignition by the smallest spark. Before noon Khân Mahomed Lateef Khân, looking out from his ruined tower, saw a cloud of dust beyond his bare brown fields and ere long was in parley with a recruiting band.</p> @@ -9767,12 +9732,12 @@ and his son must learn his father's wisdom. Ye are fools! Let every one of you give one rupee after the manner of a wedding, and go purchase the slithering lies of a pleader. Then may ye have justice in the <i>sahibs'</i> courts; not otherwise. Besides, look ye, Shunker is in -this, and his jackal Râmu; and by the twelve Imaums I hate them worse +this, and his jackal Râmu; and by the twelve Imaums I hate them worse than Raby <i>sahib!</i>"</p> -<p class="normal">"Râm Lâl hath cause," retorted a villainous-looking goldsmith, hailing +<p class="normal">"Râm Lâl hath cause," retorted a villainous-looking goldsmith, hailing from the village where Belle had been pelted by the children. "We -Hindus, Khân <i>sahib</i>, are peace-lovers till they touch our women."</p> +Hindus, Khân <i>sahib</i>, are peace-lovers till they touch our women."</p> <p class="normal">The old Mussulman burst into a scornful laugh. "Best not chatter thus to me, Gurdit! <i>Inshallah</i>; there have been times when honest blows @@ -9780,12 +9745,12 @@ with a good sword have brought the faithful many a Hindu <i>peri!</i> But I quarrel not, so go your way, fools, like sheep to slaughter if so your wisdom teaches. I bide at home."</p> -<p class="normal">"Nay but, Khân <i>sahib</i>," expostulated that very Peru with whom Shunker +<p class="normal">"Nay but, Khân <i>sahib</i>," expostulated that very Peru with whom Shunker had begun his work, "we go not to, or for slaughter. We mean to petition first to Marsden <i>sahib</i>, who comes to-day; so the Pathan hath given out."</p> -<p class="normal">"What!" interrupted the Khân with a frown. "He hath returned! Then go +<p class="normal">"What!" interrupted the Khân with a frown. "He hath returned! Then go ye doubly to slaughter, for there is one who dallies not with words. He knows how to smite, and if it comes to blows I know which side good swords--But there! I bide at home."</p> @@ -9810,9 +9775,9 @@ despatches, were sufficient to weld two nationalities into a wall which broke the force of one of the most desperate charges ever made. At least so runs the story,--out of despatches.</p> -<p class="normal">Khân Mahomed Lateef Khân, then, retreated growling to his tumbledown +<p class="normal">Khân Mahomed Lateef Khân, then, retreated growling to his tumbledown roof, and betook himself inconsequently to polishing up his sword. -Half an hour afterwards, however, he suddenly bade old Fâtma bring him +Half an hour afterwards, however, he suddenly bade old Fâtma bring him his company raiment with the medals and clasps of his dead sons sewn on it. Then he said a brief farewell to the child, left the women without a word, and went over to borrow the pink-nosed pony of the @@ -9837,25 +9802,25 @@ stocks and stones like these pigs."</p> gathering dust, came the pink-nosed pony ready for peace or war. The odds, either for one or the other, flickered up and down a dozen times as village after village sent or held back its contingent. Finally it -flared up conclusively with the advent of Râmu at the head of his +flared up conclusively with the advent of Râmu at the head of his particular villains, armed not only with sticks and stones, but with picks and shovels. Like a spark among tinder the suggestion flamed through the mass,--why waste time in words when, without a blow, except at solid earth, they could bring the floods into their own channel, since Afzul and his gang had declared in favour of the -people? So said Râmu, and the peasants were only too ready to believe +people? So said Râmu, and the peasants were only too ready to believe him, seeing that picks and shovels were more to their minds than blows. Thus, while the trio of aliens to whom that low curve of earthwork meant so much, were talking and laughing over their lunch, the dam was being assailed by a swarm of men eager for its -destruction. Almost at the same time the Khân <i>sahib</i>, spurring the +destruction. Almost at the same time the Khân <i>sahib</i>, spurring the pink-nosed pony to the overseer's hut, found Afzul asleep, or pretending to sleep. Perhaps the hint of bribery was true; perhaps the Pathan thought a crisis was needed; at all events he was too crafty to show his hand to his stern old patron, and set off ostensibly to give the alarm at the house and summon his gang, who by a curious coincidence happened to be employed half a mile or so further up the -river. Not till he saw his messenger reach the verandah did the Khân +river. Not till he saw his messenger reach the verandah did the Khân seek the scene of action. Picks and shovels indeed! Well! these ploughmen had a right to use such weapons, and he would stand by and see fair play.</p> @@ -9885,8 +9850,8 @@ applauding, while others plied spade and mattock. In the latter, in their stolid wisdom and experience, lay his best chance, and he slipped the revolver to his pocket instantly. "Stop, you fools!" he shouted, "stop! Peru! Gunga; where are your wits? The flood,--the -flood is too strong." Then, recognising the old Khân, he appealed -instinctively to him for support. "Stop them, Khân <i>sahib!</i> you are +flood is too strong." Then, recognising the old Khân, he appealed +instinctively to him for support. "Stop them, Khân <i>sahib!</i> you are old and wise; tell them it is madness!"</p> <p class="normal">As he spoke, reaching the growing gap, he leapt down into it and @@ -9895,7 +9860,7 @@ without resistance, but a murmur ran through the bystanders, and the workers dug faster.</p> <p class="normal">"Jodha! Boota! Dhurma!" rose John's voice again, singling out the men -he knew to be cultivators. "This is folly! tell them it is folly, Khân +he knew to be cultivators. "This is folly! tell them it is folly, Khân <i>sahib!</i>"</p> <p class="normal">"I know not," answered the other moodily; "'tis shovel, not @@ -9907,7 +9872,7 @@ eager tone; and something in its intelligent decision arrested one or two of the older workers. They looked round at the swirling waste of the river and hesitated.</p> -<p class="normal">"Tis but his craft," cried Râmu excitedly, showing himself for the +<p class="normal">"Tis but his craft," cried Râmu excitedly, showing himself for the first time; "I know Raby well. On! On, my brothers! He has wiles for men as well as for women!"</p> @@ -9937,17 +9902,17 @@ Marsden, back! the dam is cracking! Back, for God's sake! It is too late! Let the fools be!"</p> <p class="normal">He sprang up the gap, and as he did so a man sprang after him. It was -Râmu, ready for the deed he had come to do, fearful lest by this +Râmu, ready for the deed he had come to do, fearful lest by this unexpected flight his prey might escape him. The glance of a knife, a cry, more of surprise than pain, and John Raby, twisting round in a last desire to get at his assassin, overbalanced and fell headlong down into the ditch. The next instant, before Philip's revolver could -single out the criminal, the old Khân's sword swirled above the high +single out the criminal, the old Khân's sword swirled above the high turban.</p> <p class="normal">"<i>Allah-i-Hukk! Allah-i-Akbar!</i>" (God is Right and Might.) The fervour of youth rang in the familiar war-shout, and the memory of youth must -have nerved the hand, for Râmu's head heeled over on his shoulder in +have nerved the hand, for Râmu's head heeled over on his shoulder in ghastly fashion as he doubled up beneath the force of the blow. But ere he fell the ground beneath him split as if for a grave, and with a hiss of water pouring through the cracks the loosened soil gave way on @@ -10032,7 +9997,7 @@ lucky decision, since to seek her would have been but waste of time, as, recognising her husband among the rioters, she had fled into the jungle with her child. The servants might be found if fear had not dispersed them, but where in the meantime was he to leave Belle? At -last his thoughts returned to the old Khân. He was faithful, and if he +last his thoughts returned to the old Khân. He was faithful, and if he had recovered might at least keep watch while Philip sought other help. Besides, not far from where he had left the old man, Philip had noticed a reed shanty built against the abutment of the dam, and so @@ -10043,7 +10008,7 @@ Belle, unconscious as she was, proved an awkward burden over such a rough road, and it was a great relief to be able to lay her down at last in comparative shelter and assure himself that she was still alive; for, as he had struggled on, the dead weight in his arms had -filled him with apprehension. The next thing was to find the Khân. +filled him with apprehension. The next thing was to find the Khân. Here fate proved kind, and within a few yards of the shanty Philip came upon him, battling against the wind yet finding breath for a running fire of curses on all idolaters. To cut short his gratitude @@ -10070,13 +10035,13 @@ Nor did Philip wonder at her collapse when he thought of what it must have been for her to stand by helpless, and see those who had left her in anger swept away into the unforgiveness of death.</p> -<p class="normal">"<i>Huzoor</i>" whispered the old Khân, who in deference to inviolable +<p class="normal">"<i>Huzoor</i>" whispered the old Khân, who in deference to inviolable custom had been sitting with averted face in the doorway, where, shivering from the chill of the wind through his wet clothes he had been considering the position carefully, "We must get out of this. To sit here will have us crippled with ague by dawn. There is my pony; I will go fetch it from the huts. Perchance they may not see me; -perchance they would not touch me if they did, for Râmu--the man I +perchance they would not touch me if they did, for Râmu--the man I killed, <i>Huzoor</i>--hath no blood-kin in these parts, and death cools friendship. Besides, their wrath will be only against white faces. When I am gone ten minutes, lift the <i>mem</i>, and make for the dip in @@ -10097,7 +10062,7 @@ liable to come across a straggling rioter at any moment. The risk, however, had to be run, as the only available bridge over a cut from the river lay a few yards further on. Sheltered by the high grass, Philip's eyes were practically useless to him, and the pony's hoofs -being deadened by the sand, it needed a low whistle from the Khân to +being deadened by the sand, it needed a low whistle from the Khân to bring him out on to the road beside the pink-nosed pony.</p> <p class="normal">"Give me her here, across the pummel, <i>Huzoor</i>," said the old man @@ -10119,20 +10084,20 @@ Lateef Syyed!--that I was sneaking away! And I,--I never even called them pigs."</p> <p class="normal">Despite his anxiety Philip could not resist a smile, partly of -confidence, for no better proof of the Khân's resolution to bring +confidence, for no better proof of the Khân's resolution to bring Belle safely out of trouble could have been found than this unparalleled meekness. So they went on swiftly. Philip at the -bridle-rein, the old Khân supporting Belle partly on his arm, partly +bridle-rein, the old Khân supporting Belle partly on his arm, partly by a dexterous arrangement of his scabbard, over which the old man chuckled as if in contented reminiscence of bygone days. "'Tis as I said, <i>Huzoor</i>," he remarked pointing to a red flush rising behind them. "That is the bungalow roof. 'Tis well she is out of it so far." Philip thinking of all the horrors of the past few hours, and contrasting them with his memories of Belle in her pretty home, -clenched his hands, wishing <i>he</i> were nearer. Perhaps the Khân's +clenched his hands, wishing <i>he</i> were nearer. Perhaps the Khân's sympathy saw to his thought, for the old man went on in aggrieved tones, "And we get no good from it. Not even an honest set-to when the -women are safe; for to-morrow the <i>tâhseeldar</i><a name="div2Ref_09" href="#div2_09"><sup>[9]</sup></a> and the police will +women are safe; for to-morrow the <i>tâhseeldar</i><a name="div2Ref_09" href="#div2_09"><sup>[9]</sup></a> and the police will spoil sport. Besides, these shovel-diggers will be afraid of their own actions by dawn! Even now we are safe; safe as if we are driving down the watered road of a cantonment, our only care to convey this poor @@ -10143,24 +10108,24 @@ your reign, <i>Huzoor!</i>"</p> Philip grimly.</p> <p class="normal">"Some <i>one</i>. Ay, that is to-day's law, and even of that I know not," -grumbled the Khân. "For look you, Râmu and none else killed the -<i>sahib</i>, and I killed Râmu, so that is done. The rest were peaceable +grumbled the Khân. "For look you, Râmu and none else killed the +<i>sahib</i>, and I killed Râmu, so that is done. The rest were peaceable enough, God knows, and you hang not for the bursting of <i>bunds</i> (dams) and burning of bungalows. There is no justice nowadays!"</p> <p class="normal">It was past midnight ere the pony pulled up of its own accord at a ruinous door, and the owner with mighty shouts and much impatient rattling of his sword-hilt on the panels roused the inmates. -"Come forth, Fâtma," he cried to the white-sheeted form muttering +"Come forth, Fâtma," he cried to the white-sheeted form muttering faint excuses which appeared at length. "Heed not the stranger -to-night,--Haiyât also. He is my brother, and this, look you, is my +to-night,--Haiyât also. He is my brother, and this, look you, is my sister. We will carry her within to the women's room, and ye must see to her as women should, and bring us word of her state speedily. 'Tis -best so, <i>Huzoor</i>; Fâtma is learned in woman's lore and hath simples. +best so, <i>Huzoor</i>; Fâtma is learned in woman's lore and hath simples. She will tell us if there be hurts or danger. For to-night the <i>mem</i> had best stay here, since there is nought to be done save rest."</p> -<p class="normal">"Not so, Khân <i>sahib</i>; I must return and see after--"</p> +<p class="normal">"Not so, Khân <i>sahib</i>; I must return and see after--"</p> <p class="normal">The old Mussulman raised his right hand solemnly. "Let the dead rest in peace also for tonight, <i>Huzoor</i>. I saw Raby <i>sahib</i> fall, and I @@ -10171,7 +10136,7 @@ comrades, may rest awhile till dawn comes."</p> <p class="normal">"I will wait till dawn," said Philip, "and hear what the women say."</p> -<p class="normal">So the Khân disposed himself to sleep with the calm of an old +<p class="normal">So the Khân disposed himself to sleep with the calm of an old campaigner, and Philip sat out in the warm night air waiting for the dawn. The storm had ended in weak-minded thunder and a few spots of dry rain, which had nevertheless left a freshness behind them. Here @@ -10183,8 +10148,8 @@ again and again with the insistence which truth brings to bear on conventionalities. It was true that by and by time would heal the present trouble; it was true that by and by regrets would soften. There was no hurry, no thought but pity and sorrow for what was, and -yet he started from a vision of peace to find old Fâtma by his side. -The Khân had long since been snoring placidly, so the old matron's +yet he started from a vision of peace to find old Fâtma by his side. +The Khân had long since been snoring placidly, so the old matron's eyes could look into Philip's with straightforward confidence.</p> <p class="normal">"The <i>mem</i> will do for now, <i>Huzoor</i>. There is no danger, none at all. @@ -10200,7 +10165,7 @@ Belle's last legacy!</p> <h2><a name="div1_26" href="#div1Ref_26">CHAPTER XXVI.</a></h2> <br> -<p class="normal">The old Khân's forecast proved correct in every particular. By noon on +<p class="normal">The old Khân's forecast proved correct in every particular. By noon on the day after the outbreak the ringleaders were safe in the lock-up awaiting trial, and, save for the smouldering house and the yellow flood of water sliding down the old channel, there was nothing to tell @@ -10216,18 +10181,18 @@ as if something could surely have been done to avert so terrible an ending to what was, after all, but a storm in a tea-cup. But then neither he, nor the authorities who had to inquire into the matter, were in possession of that master-key to the whole position which was -to be found in Shunker Dâs's desire for revenge. For he had worked +to be found in Shunker Dâs's desire for revenge. For he had worked carefully, leaving scarcely a trace behind him; and though Kirpo came forward boldly to declare his responsibility, her palpable motive for spite discredited her statements. Besides, at the very outset of the -inquiry, it became clear that John Raby's murder by Râmu had nothing +inquiry, it became clear that John Raby's murder by Râmu had nothing whatever to do with his action in regard to the water; and however absurd the man's jealousy might seem, it was certainly sufficient to explain the rancour with which Kirpo's husband had set himself to conspire against the Englishman. It was evident therefore that the latter had met his death, not from his harshness towards the people, but from the good-nature with which he had originally espoused the -woman's cause. Both Philip Marsden and the Khân could only witness to +woman's cause. Both Philip Marsden and the Khân could only witness to the freedom from all attempt at personal violence on the part of the crowd, even when John Raby had thrown himself among the workers and taken a spade from them by force; while the subsequent burning and @@ -10320,7 +10285,7 @@ heart of hearts you know they are not true. True!--they are lies, Belle, wicked lies. You have been working yourself up in your loneliness to believe something impossible, preposterous, and it is my fault for letting you be lonely. I was not too late. No power on earth -could have saved John. I was there armed, ready; the Khân was there +could have saved John. I was there armed, ready; the Khân was there also with drawn sword; yet we could not save him. No one could have saved him. <i>That</i> is the truth."</p> @@ -10473,7 +10438,7 @@ difficulties, for three years had passed by since the money had fallen in to the charity, and a long time must elapse before it could be recovered; if indeed it could be recovered at all. Luckily the proving of the will was not difficult, despite the peculiarities of its -custody. To begin with it was in Dick's own writing, and the old Khân +custody. To begin with it was in Dick's own writing, and the old Khân was able to speak with certainty as to having seen both envelope and ring in the Pathan's possession, and bear out the fact that Philip had taken the brocaded packet from Belle's hand in the hut. The question @@ -10527,14 +10492,14 @@ Monday at which he was beginning to grow restive, since it was almost as derogatory to dignity as being a home-boarder. Mrs. Stuart employed herself in weeping placidly over Belle's misfortunes, and paying visits to her friends, during which she darkly hinted that she had -always been against the match; for Mr. Raby had played <i>écarté</i>, +always been against the match; for Mr. Raby had played <i>Ă©cartĂ©</i>, and though of course he had not lost his money that way, it was not <i>comme il faut</i> in a young civilian. Maud was growing older in the rocking-chair, and inclined, as ever, to resent other people's tears.</p> <p class="normal">"I don't think Belle is so much to be pitied after all," she cried captiously. "Other people are not always having legacies left them, -and Ł30,000 means more to a widow than to a married woman. Besides, +and ÂŁ30,000 means more to a widow than to a married woman. Besides, she needn't remain a widow unless she likes; Philip Marsden has been in love with her all the time." Whereat Mildred, signing her daily letter to Charlie Allsop with a flourish which would have done credit @@ -10794,7 +10759,7 @@ novel, the better.</p> <p class="normal">"It is like Nilgunj, isn't it?" said Belle pointing to the tangles of flowers.</p> -<p class="normal">"With a difference. You can't grow Maréchal Niel roses in England. +<p class="normal">"With a difference. You can't grow MarĂ©chal Niel roses in England. They were,--well,--overpowering as I came through. Mildred has the garden very nice; you would hardly recognise the place. The trees you planted are taller than the house; but everything grows fast in @@ -10824,7 +10789,7 @@ to be evil?"</p> <p class="normal">"That is rather strong, isn't it? It would most likely have done as well without my interference; things generally come right in the end, especially if you trust other people. At least that is my experience -in the regiment. By the way, I went over to see the old Khân when I +in the regiment. By the way, I went over to see the old Khân when I was at Nilgunj. He is a bit broken, though he won't allow it, by his wife's death. Obstinate old hero! He declares, too, that it is no satisfaction having his son back from the Andamans because he is only @@ -10840,9 +10805,9 @@ for a C.I.E.-ship some day if I don't take care. Well! the old man sent you his <i>salaam</i> as usual, said the women ruled the roost nowadays, and in the same breath fell foul of them collectively because his daughter-in-law had not prepared some peculiar sherbet -which old Fâtma always produced on state occasions. Not that Haiyât-bi +which old Fâtma always produced on state occasions. Not that Haiyât-bi minds his abuse, now she has a husband to bully in her turn. That, -says the Khân, is women's way; since the beginning of time deceitful +says the Khân, is women's way; since the beginning of time deceitful and instinct with guile. And then, Belle--yes, then he brought out the old sword, and here it is, dear, his and mine in the old way, if only in the spirit."</p> @@ -10874,7 +10839,7 @@ is about the worst." He paused with a frown.</p> <p class="normal">"Well?"</p> -<p class="normal">"Only Shunker Dâs is dead. That isn't very distressful; but you +<p class="normal">"Only Shunker Dâs is dead. That isn't very distressful; but you remember Kirpo?"</p> <p class="normal">"Why, Philip, it was her husband who--"</p> @@ -10882,9 +10847,9 @@ remember Kirpo?"</p> <p class="normal">"Yes, of course, of course; but I was not thinking of that; only of the day when she came out of the coolies' hut with a child in her arms, and told us why he was called Nuttu. Well, it is a horrid story, -Belle, but that pitiless old fatalist the Khân, who was my informant, +Belle, but that pitiless old fatalist the Khân, who was my informant, saw the hand of high heaven in it. Shunker got the telegram informing -him that he was to be made a <i>Rai Bahâdur</i>, and another announcing his +him that he was to be made a <i>Rai Bahâdur</i>, and another announcing his son's death by the same messenger. Ghastly, wasn't it? He had a fit, and though he lived for some weeks they never could understand a word he said, though he talked incessantly. One can imagine what he wanted @@ -10924,7 +10889,7 @@ hospital which looked right across a stretch of wind-swept down to the open sea. A row of perambulators and wheeled couches stood under a glazed verandah, and above the level lines of square windows the words "SMITH'S HOME FOR INCURABLE CHILDREN" showed in big gold letters as a -balustrade to the semi-Grecian façade.</p> +balustrade to the semi-Grecian façade.</p> <p class="normal">Belle glanced up at it before passing through the noiseless swinging doors. "I always wish I had been in time to stop that awful @@ -11251,381 +11216,7 @@ Deputy-Collector, <i>i.e</i>., chief native official.</p> <br> <br> - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Miss Stuart's Legacy, by Flora Annie Steel - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISS STUART'S LEGACY *** - -***** This file should be named 40142-h.htm or 40142-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/1/4/40142/ - -Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by -Google Books (University of California) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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