Talbot Mundy

“ Strange demanded of Ommony.
“I’ve a bullock-cart. Where’s the raja?”
“Lord knows. Can’t find him or servants.”
“We’ve brought some food and Jeff’s man; he can cook supper.”
“Can you take Madame Poulakis back to the palace?” Strange demanded in a voice of iron, Food was not to be considered in a class with peace.
“If she don’t mind riding in a bullock-cart.”
“That settles it then,” said Strange, and Zelmira exploded laughter into her handkerchief. The man was frank, whatever else. ”

“ Chullunder Ghose rolled off his perch in front of the cart and hurried to the rear, where Ommony was sitting on the tail.
“Sahib! Listen! This babu is Codlin, same being friend, not Short! Short is raja! Atheistic apostate! Too much money is as wine in empty head. This babu knows! That raja demanded from priests reinstatement in circle of sanctified orthodoxy.” ”

“ Exacerbated raja now seeks double-cross for all concerned, you, me, and priests included! What is betting? I bet raja now sends telegram inviting Central Government to intervene! All is up now! Better leave U. S. plutocrat to stew in juices of annoyed Administration! Let us establish alibi!”
The babu’s panic spread to Charley and Zelmira, both of whom began to fear instantly, if vaguely, on Ommony’s account. He had admitted more than once that a false step would imply the end of his career. ”

“ Moreover, he knows the raja may not be trusted. I think he would eagerly subserve your honors’ interests rather than be defeated by the other two.”
“Where is he?”
“At a little distance, cudgeling his brains.”
“He who allies himself with fools must eat the offal of their folly!”
“True, most worshipfuls. Yet this babu is not a fool. A humble person, totally unworthy to stand in the heaven-born presence, but endowed by the Creators with an intellect. In this babu’s unworthy hands, that foreign ignoramus might be trusted.” ”

“ Strange retorted. “I’ll keep my head in any situation these fossils can invent. If you’re afraid, suppose you go home!”
“I’ve said my say,” Jeff answered. “I’ll stand by. But you’ll get no sympathy from me, whatever happens.”
“Nothing ’ll happen. Huh! They’ve come to the end of their resources now. We’ve sat here half an hour and not a sign from them. That tiger was the ——”
AS HE spoke the light went out. The chill blast of air was renewed, only tenfold. A man’s shout, and a scream like a woman’s in grief as well as agony froze their blood. ”

“ But the light was out again. Jeff groped his way in the lead and struck out with his fist at something that he felt rather than saw in the passage just before he reached the assembly-room; but whatever it might have been, he missed it.
He struck a match and held it high, to get as wide a circle of light as possible, stepped forward, tripped over something, swore; and the match went out. Ommony struck another close behind him. ”

“ There were more impossible things.
“It’ll take time, though,” he warned him. “Meanwhile there’s no knowing what these priests will do.”
“I’ll stay on and stick it out!”
“How would it be for me to suggest to the priests that you’ll stand initiation? That might end this foolishness.”
“What does initiation amount to? Don’t know, eh? Well, ——, I’m interested—yes, try anything once. Yes, get word to ’em!”
“Strange,” growled Jeff Ramsden, “you’re a fool for all your money. You’re a gilt-edged rube—no better!” ”

“ Not a sign of a human being; only rats that had nested in the stuffing of armchairs and ran as they entered the echoing rooms, striking match after match.
Jeff was for exploring the cellars, too, but Ommony demurred.
“Snakes,” he suggested. “Ambush. Anything might happen and be explained away as accident.”
“Upstairs then,” Jeff proposed; but that seemed almost equally risky, especially as they had left a shot-gun in the assembly-room along with their few other belongings. So they turned back, expecting to find their way easily by the light of the lamp they had left burning. ”

“ Initiation has always been most scandalous. There are tales——”
“Never mind. Why not initiate Strange? Suggest that to them.”
“Tee-hee!” The babu’s fat sides began to shake. “Tee-hee! Has the sahib ever witnessed an—hee-hee!—initiation?”
“I’ve been told. We might get it modified.”
“Tee-hee-hee! Temple nautch-girls! Mu-mu-moderation! Tee-hee!”
“Suggest it to the priests. Meet me here later. I’ll see Strange.”
“Khee-hee-hee! Salaam, sahib! Oh, my ribs! Dee-licious, very! Genius! My ——, yes! Oh, ha-ha-hah! Kuh-scuse it, sahib, please! Your humble servant! He-hee-hee-hee-hee! ”

“ They opened the door in the corner with difficulty, for although it was not locked something seemed to hold it; but when Jeff exerted his strength and it flew wide, there was nothing there—nobody—no sign of anybody having been there.
So they took two rifles and a shot-gun and explored long passages and rooms absurdly furnished with imported export stuff, of the sort that generation after generation of rajas had believed was “quite the thing.” There was almost nothing antique or genuine in the place, although there was plenty of evidence of reckless spending. ”

“ Moreover, worshipfuls, the unclean fellow pursues same object as your heaven-born selves. Great wrath obsesses him. He is indignant that the other unclean rogue should buy this place that has been rendered blessed by your honors’ claim to it. ”

“ He is personally essence of unthriftiness. Idealism, much mistaken doubtless since he is alien ignoramus, burns in unclean bosom. And he fears lest the other brute, who has bought the Panch Mahal, may acquire the forest likewise. ”

“ Strange demanded. “Better put a bullet in him to make sure.”
“Stone dead,” said Ommony.
“Killed a tiger with a chair! Jee-rusalem!” Strange sat down on the cot again. “Cam you beat that? Killed a tiger with a chair, you fellows! Can you beat it?”
Ommony, with his back to Strange, stooped down, examining the kill. Jeff joined him.
“Caged for a good many years. Well fed,” said Ommony. “Probably half-tame. See his pugs? They’re soft, and the hair has grown long over the claws. He’s old, too ”