Adventure Magazine Cover — page 26: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

16 “Truly, heaven-born. One son, who grows into a man—the treasure of my old heart.” “A gambler!” “A young man, heaven-born, who feels his manhood—now and then gay—now and then foolish——” “A budmash!” (bad rascal.) “Nay, an honest one.’ “Who borrowed from Mukhum Dass the money-lender, making untrue promises?” _ “Nay; the money was to pay a debt.” “A gambling debt, and he lied about it?” “Nay; truly, heaven-born, he but prom-~ ised Mukhum Dass he would repay the sum with interest.” “Swearing he would buy with the money two horses which Mukhum Dass might seize as forfeit after the appointed time.” “Otherwise, heaven-born, Mukhum Dass would not have lent the money.” “And now Mukhum Dass threatens prison?” “Truly, penne bed, The money-lentler is without shame—without mercy—without conscience.” “And that is why you—dog of a spying butler set to betray the sahib’s salt you eat— man of smiles and welcome words—stole ‘money from me? Was it to pay the debt of thy gambling brat-born-in-a-stable?” “T, heaven-born? [I steal from thee? I would rather be beaten!” “Thou shalt be beaten, and worse—thou and thy son. Feel in his cummerbund, Tom Tripe. I saw where the money went.” Promptly into the butler’s sash behind went fingers used to delving into more un- military improprieties than any ten civilians could think of. Tripe produced the thou- sand-rupee note in less than half a minute and, whether or not he believed it stolen, saw through the plan and laughed. “Ts my name on the back of it?” Yas- miniasked. Tom Tripe displayed the signature, and Chamu’s clammy face turned ashen-gray “And,” said Yasmini, fixing Chamu with angry blue eyes, ‘the commissioner sahib is on the veranda! For the reputation of the English he would cause an example to be made of servants who steal from guests in the house of foreigners.” Chamu capitulated utterly, and wept. “What shall I do? What shall I do?” he demanded. “In the jail,” Yasmini said slowly, ‘you Adventure could not spy on my doings nor report my sayings.” “Heaven-born, Iam dumb! Take back the money and I am dumb forever, never having seen or heard you! Take back the money!” But Yasmini was not so easily balked of her intention. “Put his thumb-print on it, Tom Tripe, and see that he writes his name.” The trembling Chamu was led into a room where an ink-pot stood open on a desk, and watched narrowly while he made a thumb-mark and scratched a signature. Then: “Take the money and pay the puppy’s debt with it. Afterward beat the boy. And see to it,” Yasmini advised, ‘‘that Mukhum Dass gives a receipt, lest he claim the debt a second time.”’ Speechless. between relief, doubt and resentment, Chamu hid the bank-note in his sash and tried to feign gratitude—a quality omitted from his list of elements when a patient, casteless mother brought him yelling into the world. “Go!l”’ Tom Tripe made a sign to Trotters, who went and lay down, obviously bored, and Chamu departed backward, bowing re- peatedly with both hands raised to his fore- head. “And now, your ladyship?”’ “Take that eater-of-all-that-is-unnama- ble—” she meant the dog—‘“and return to the palace.” “Your ladyship, it’s worth!”’ , “Tell the maharaja that you have spoken with a certain Gunga Singh, who said that the Princess Yasmini is at the house of the commissioner sahib.”’ “But it’s not true; they’II——” “Let the commissioner sahib deny it then. Go!” “But, missy—— “Do as I say, Tom Tripe, and when I am Maharanee of Sialpore you shall have double pay—and a troupe of dancing girls—and a all my life’s 9 ‘dozen horses—and the title of bahadur— and all the brandy you can drink. The sepoys shall furthermore have modern uni- forms, and you shall drill them until they fall down dead. I have promised. Go!”’ With a wag of his head that admitted impotence in the face of woman’s wiles Tom strode out by the back way, followed at a Gomichoo ss) (F@) S|