The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

> ‘w... ' 00c 0f, the Garriscn; 3 Or. A. Mysterious Affair. . . ‘ . CHAPTER XII.â€"(Oont'd.). "If you have determined to honor our neighborhood by. a short stay," said I, .f'you will offend my father very muchrif you do not put up with him. He repre- sents the laird here. and it is the laird's privilege, according to our Scottish cus- tom, to entertain all strangers of repute who visit his parish.” My sense of hos- pitality prompted me to deliver this in vltation, though I could feel the mate twitching at my. sleeve as if to warn me that the offer was, for some reason. an objectionable one. His fears were. how- ever. unnecessary, for the stranger signi- fied by a. shake of the head that it was impossible for him to accept it. "My friends and I are very much obliged to you,” he said, "but we have our own reasons for remaining where we are. The but which we occupy is desert- ed and partly ruined. but we Eastern: have trained ourselves to do wit-bout most of those things which are looked upon as necessaries in Europe. believing firmly in that wise axiom that a man is rich, not in proportion to what he has. but in pro- portion to what he can dispense with. A good fisherman supplies us with bread and with herbs. we have clean dry straw for our couches, what could man wish for more?" "But-you must feel the cold at night. coming straight from the tropics." re- marked the captain. “Perhaps our bodies are cold sometimes. We have not noticed it. We have all three spent; many years in the Upper Hima- layas on the border of the region of eter- nal snow, so we are not very sensitive to inconveniences of the sort." “‘At least,” said/I, “you must allow me to send you over some fish and some meat from our larder.” "We are not Christians.” he answered, "but Buddhists of the higher school. We do not recognize that man has a moral right to slay an ox or a fish for the gross use of his body._ He has not put life into them. and has assuredly no mandate from the Almighty to take life from them save under most pressing , need. We could not,. therefore, use your.gift if you were to send it." "But. sir," I rcmonstrated, “if in this changeable and inhospitable climate you refuse all nourishing food your vitality will fail youâ€"you will die.” “We shall die then," he answered with a bright smile. "And now, Captain Meadows, I must bid you adieu. thanking you for your kindness during the voyage, and you, too, good-bycâ€"you will com- mand a ship of your own before the. year is out. I trust, Mr. West, that I may see you again before I leave this part of the country. Farewell!" He raised his red fez, inclined his noble head ‘with the stately grace which characterized all his actions, and stole away in the direction from which he had come. ' - “Let me congratulate you, Mr. Hawk. ins.” said the captain to the mate as we walked homcward. “You are to command your own ship within the year." "No such luck!” the mate answered. with a pleased smile upon his miihoganypface; “still there's no saying how things may come out. What d'ys think ofvhim, Mr. \Vest?" , . "Why." said I, "I am vcry‘mucli inter- ested in. him.‘ What a magnificent head uLidhearing“‘heshasrina you!!! seen--5 {oppose lie cannot be more tlial'l thirty. “Forty,” said the mate. "Sixty, if he is a day." remarked Gap- tain Meadows. ' "Why. I have heard him talk quite familiarly of the, first Afghan war. He was a man then, and that is close on forty years ago.” _ “Wonderful!” I ejaculated. “His skin is as smooth and his eyes are as clear as He is the superior priest of mine arc. the three no doubt.” "The inferior." said the captain confi- dently. “That is why he does all the talking for them. Their minds are too elevated to descend to mere worldly chat- tcr.” "They are the strangest pieces of flot- sam and jetsam that ever were thrown upon this coast.” ,1 remarked. "My father will be mightily interested in them." “Indeed. I think the less you have to do with them the better for you." said The mate. “If I do command my own ship l'll promise you that. I never carry live stock of that sort. on board of her. But here we go all aboard and the sucker tripped. so we must bid you good- y." i The waggonette had just finished load- ing up when we arrived, and the chief places, on either side of the di‘ivcr,.lmd been reserved for my two companions, who speedily sprang into them. With a chorus of cheers the good fellows whirled uwnyvdown the road, while my father. Esther. and I stood upon the lawn and wave-d our hands to them until they dis- appeared behind the Cloombcr woods. on route for the Wigtown railway station. Bark and crew had both vanished'now from our little world. the only relic of either being the heaps of debris upon the beach. which were to be there until the arrival of an agent from Lloyd's. CHAPTER XIII. At dinner that evening I mentioned to my father the episode of the three Bud- dhist priests. and found. as I. had ex- pected, that he was \'('!‘Y'lnu1:ll interested by my account of them. When, however. he heard of the high manner 111 which Rani Singh had spoken of him, and the distinguished position which_ho had as- signed him among philologists. he .be- came so excited that it was all we could do to prevent him from setting off then and there‘ to make his acquaintance. Ls- tlier and I were relieved and glad when we at last succeeded in abstracting his boots and maneuvering him to his bed- room. for the exciting events of the last twenty-four hours had been too much for his weak frame and delicate nerves: 1 was sitting at the open porch. in the gleaming. turning over in my mind the unexpected events which had occurred so rapidly-the gale, the wreck. the rescue, and the strange character of ibe casta- waysâ€"‘when my sister came quietly over to me and put her hand in mine. “Don‘t you think. Jack." she said inn ms PERFECT sno’s; FOR SUMMER SPORTS, ASK YOUR DEALER. l i l ! 1 her low sweet voice, "that we are forget- ting our friends over at ‘Cloomber? Hasn't all this excitement driven their fears and their danger out of our heads? “Out of our heads. but never out of our . hearts," said I, laughing. certainly been distracted from them. I shall walk up in the morning and if‘ I can see anything of them. By the way, tomorrow is the fateful 5th of October-â€" one more day and all will be well with us." "Or ill," "Why, what to be sure!" I cried. is coming over you?” ~ ‘ n V “I feel nervous and low-spirited. sue answered. drawing closer to my side and shivering. "I feel as if some great peril were hanging over the heads of those .we love. Why should these strange men wish to stay upon the coast?” _ “What. the Buddhists?" I said lightly. "Oh, those fellows have centinued feast days and religious rites of all sorts. They have some very good reason for staying. you may be sure." - . "Don't you think,” said Esther, in an awe-struck whisper, “that it is very strange that these priests should arrive here all the way from India just at the present moment? Have you not gathered from all you have heard that the gen- eral’s fears are in some way connected with India and the Indians?” The remark made me thoughtful. "WhY. now that you mention it,” I answered. “I have some vague impression that the mystery is connected with some incident which occurred in that country. I am sure, however, that your fears would \van- ish if you saw Ram Singh. lie is the very personification of wisdom and ben- evolence. He was shocked at the idea of our killing a. sheep. 01' moms. fish. for his benefitâ€"said he would-' rather.die than have a hand in taking the life of an animal.” "It is very foolish of me to be so ner- vous.” said my sister, bravely. “But you mustpromise me one thing, Jack. Ion will go up to Cloomber in the morning, and if you can see any of them you must tell them of these strange neighbors of ours. They are better able to judge than we are whether their presence has any significance or not." "All right, little one," I answered, as we went indoors. “You have been over- excitedby all these wild doings, and you need a sound night’s rest to compose you. I'll do what you suggest, however, and our friends shallojudge for themselves whether these poor devils should be sent about their business or not." I made the promise to allay my sister‘s apprehensions. but in the bright sunlight of morning it appeared little less than absurd to imagine that our poor vege- tarian castmvays could have any sinister intentions, or that their advent could have any effect upon the tenants of Cloombcr. I was anxious myself, how- ever. to see whether I could see anything of the Ilcatherstones, so after breakfast I walked up to the Hall. In their se- clusion it was impossible for them to have learned anything of the recent events. I felt, therefore, that even if I should meet the general he could hardly regard me aernnflntruder while I had I so much"news to communicate. l l i said my sister. gloomily. a little croaker you are "What in the world The place had the same dreary and melancholy appearance which always characterized it. Looking through be- tween‘the thick iron bars of the main gateway there was nothing to be seen of any of the occupants. One of the great Scotch fire had been blown down in.the gale. and its long ruddy trunk lay right across the grass-grown avenue; but no attempt had been made to remove it. Everything about the property had the same air of desolation and neglect, With the solitary exception of the massive and impenetrable fencing, which presented as unbroken and formidable an obstacle as ever to the would-be ti‘espasser. I walked round this barrier as fanas our old‘trysting place without finding any flaw through which I could get a glimpse of the house, for tho.fence had been erected with each rail overlapping the last. so as to secure absolute privacy for those inside. At the old spot. however, where I had had the memorable interview with the general on the occasion when be surprised me with his daughter, 1 found that the two loose rails had been reflxed in such a manner that there was a gap of two inches or more between them. Through this I had a view of the house and a part of the lawn in front of it. and though I could‘see no signs of life outside or at any of the windows, I settled down with the intention of stick- ing to my post until I had a chance of speaking to one. or other of-tlie inmates. Indeed. the cold, dead aspect of the house had struck such a chill into my heart that I determined to scale the fence at what- ever risk of incurring the gcnci'al's dis- pleasure rather than return without news of the Heutherstoncs. ’ Happily there was no need of this ex- treme expedient, for I had not been there half an hour before I heard the harsh sound of an opening lock, and the gen- eral himself emerged from the main door. To my surprise ho was dressed in a mili- tary uniformâ€"and that not the uniform in ordinary use in the British army. The red coat was strangly‘ cut and stained with the weather. The trousers had 0113' inally been white, but had now faded to a dirty yellow. With a red sash across his chest and a straight sword hanging ' from his side he stood the living example of a bygone typeâ€"tho John Company's officer of forty years ago. He was followed by the cit-tramp, Corporal Rufus smith. now well clad and prosperous, who limp- ed along beside his master, the two pac- ing up and down the lawn absorbed in conversation. I observed that from time to time one or other of them would pause and glance furtively all about them, as ihbugh guarding keenly against a sur- prise. I should have preferred communicating with the general alone. but since there was no dissociating him from his coni- punion. I beat loudly on the fencing with my stick to attract their attention. They both faced round in a moment. and i could see from their gestures that they were disturbed and alarmed. I then ele- vated my stick above the barrier to show them where the sound proceeded from. At this the general began to walk in my; direction with an air of a man who isl bracing himself for an effort, but the, other caught-uhim by the wrist and en- dcavorcd to dissuade him. It wueonly when I shouted out my name and assured them that I was alone that I could prfir vail upon them to approach. Once as-i sured of my identity the general ran eagerlytoward me and greeted me with the utmost cordinlity. ‘ - - "This is trul kind of you, West." 113 said. “IL is on y at such times us these. that one can judge who is a friend and l u , . - “However. you I are right, little one. for our attention has I ; 'puzzle-‘an absolutely On a Packet of Tea means Freshness â€" ; Purity ‘ " Exquisite Aroma Delightful Flavour Try a Packet and make ; the test. 071 L In Sealed Lead Packets only. - BLACK, GREEN & MIXED. :- I said; “for it is some little time since I have seen or heard from any of you. How have you all been keeping?” "Why. as well as could be expected. But we will be better to-morrowâ€"we will be different men to-morrow.cli. corporal?" “Yul, sir." said the corporal, raising his hand to his forehead in a military salute. "We'll be right as the bank to- morrow.” “The corporal and I are a little dis- turbed in our minds just now," the 8811‘ oral explained, “but I have no doubt that all will come right. After all. there is nothing higher than Providence, and we are all in its hands. 'And how have you been, eh ?” “We have been very busy for one thing,” said I. "I suppose you have heard not-hing of the great shipwreck?” "Not a word.” the general answered listlesly. ' "I thought the noise of the wind would prevent your hearing the signal guns. She came ashore in the hey the night before lastâ€"a great bark from India.” “From India!" ejaculated the general. “Yes. Her crew were saved, fortunate- ly, and have all been sent on to Glas- gow." “All sent on!" cried the general, with a face as bloodless as a corpse. “All except three rather strange char- acters who claim to be Buddhist priests. They have decided to remain for a few days upon the coast.” The words were hardly out of my mouth when the general dropped upon his knees with his long thin arms extended to heaven. “Thy will be done!" he cried in a crackling voice. "Thy blessed will be done!" I could see through the crack that Corporal Rufus Smith's face had turned to a sickly yollow shade. and that he was wiping the perspiration from his brow. “It‘s like my luck!" he said. “After all these years. to come just when I have got a snug billet." “Never mind, my lad." the general said, rising. and squaring his shoulders like a man who braces himself'for an effort. “Be it what it may, we'll face it as Brit- ish soldiers should. D’yo remember at Chillianwallnh, when you had to run from your guns to our square. and the Sikh horse came thundering down on our bay- onets? We didn‘t- flinch then, and we won’t flinch now. It seems to me that I feel better than I have done for years. It was the uncertainty that was killing me." _ "And the infernal jingle-jangle.” said the corporal. “Well. we'll all go togeth- er~that's some consolation." “Good-by, West,” said the general. “Be a good husband to Gabriel. and give my poor wife a home. I don’t thinkshc will trouble you long. Good-by! God bless you!" v “Look here, general." I said. peremp- torin breaking off a piece of wood to make communication more easy, .“this sort of thing has been going on too long. What are these hints and allusions and innuendocs? It is time we had a little plain speaking. What is it you fear? Out with it! re you in dread of these Hindoos? If you ars’I am able, on my father‘s authority. to have them arrested as rogues and vagabonds." “No. no, that would never do." he an- swered, shaking his head. “You will learn about the wretched business soon enough. Mordaunt knows where to lay his hand upon the papers“ bearing on the matter. You, can consult him about it to-mor- row. ' ‘ ."But, surely." I cried. "if the peril is so imminent something may be done to avert it. If you would but tell me what you fear I should know how to act." “My dear friend." he said, “there is nothing to be done, so'calm yourself and let things take their course. It. has been folly on my part to shelter myself be- hind mere barriers of wood and stone. The fact is, that inaction was terrible to me, and I felt that to do anything, how- ever futilc, in the nature of a precaution, was better than passive resignation. My humble friend here and I have placed ourselves in a position in which, I trust, no poor fellow will ever again. We can only recommend our- selves to the unfailing goodness of the Almighty, and trust that what we have endured in this world may lessen our atonement in the world to come. I must leave you now. for I have many papers to destroy and much to arrange. Good- by.” He pushed his hand through the hole which I had made and grasped mine in a solemn farewell, after which he walked back to the Hall with a firm and decided step. still followed by the crip- pled corporal. I walked back to Branksome much dis- turbed by this intervxcw, and extremely puzzled as to what course I should put- sue. It was evident- now that my sister's suspicions were correct, and that there was some very intimate connection be. tween the presence of the three Orientals and the mysterious peril which hung over the towers of Cloomber. It was difficult for me to associate the noble-faced Ram Singh’s gentle, refliied manner and words of wisdom with any deed of violence; yet now/ that I thought of it I could see that a terrible capacity for wrath lay behind his shaggy brows and dark. piercing eyes. I felt that of all men whom I had ever met he was the one whose displeasure I should least care to face. But how could tva men so widely dissociated as the foul- mouthcd old corporal of artillery and the distinguished Anglo-Indian general have each earned the ill-will of thme strange castaways? And if the danger was a posi- tivc physical one, why should he not con- sent to my proposal to have the 1111138 men placed under my custody? though I confess it would have gone much against my grain to act in so inhospitable a manner upon such vague and shadowy grounds. These questions were absolutely“ unanswerable: and "yet-the solemn' words and the terrible gravity which I had seen in the faces of both the old ‘soldiers for- L‘rde me from thinking‘thatjheir fears were entirely unfounded. It was all a insoluble puzzle. who not.‘ It would not be fair to you to One thing it least was clear to mar-9.9% ask you to come inside or to stay any time. but I am none the loss very glad- io see you." ‘ that was that in the presentstatc of my knowledge. and after the general's dis- "tinct prohibition. it was impossible for me "I have been anxious about you all." to interfere in any way. I could only wait and pray that, whatever the danger might be. it might pass over. or at least that my dear Gabriel and her brother might be protected against it. I was walkinngan the lane lost in thoughtuand had got as far as the wicket gate which opens upon the Branksome lawn, when I was surprised to hear my Laxatives [the Buddhist. find himself“ and excited converse. The old man had been of late so abstracted from the daily affairs of the world, and so absorbed in his own special studies. that it was dim- cnlt to engage his attention upon any ordinary mundane topic. Curious to know what it was that had drawn him so far out of himself. ‘I opened the gate softly, and walking quietly round the laurel bushes. found him sitting. to my astonishment, With none other than the very man who was occupying my thoughts, Ram Singh. The two were sitting upon a garden bench. peared. to be laying down some weighty proposition. checking every point upon his long quivering brown fingers, while my father, With his hands thrown abroad and his face awry, was loud in protestation and in_ argument. So absorbed were they in their controversy that I stood within a hand-touch of them for a minute or more before they became conscious of my presence. On observing me the priest sprang to his feet and greeted me with the same lofty courtesy and dignified grace which had so impressed me the day before. a "I promised myself yesterday," he said, "the pleasure of calling upon your father. You see I have kept my word. I have even been daring enough to question his views upon some points in connection With the San‘scrit and lIindo'o tongues, with the result that we have been argu- ing for an_ hour or more without either of us convincing the other. Without pre- tending to as deep a theoretical know’ ledge as that which has made the name of John Hunter West a household word ainong,0rienta1 scholars.,I happen to have given considerable attention to this one point, and indeed I am in a position to say that I know his views to be unsound. I assure you, sir. that up to the year 700, or even later, Sanscrit‘was the ordin- ary language of the great bulk of the in- habitants of India." “An-:1 I assure you, sir." said my father warmly, “that it was dead and forgotten at that date. save by the learned, who used it as a vehicle for scientific and re- ligious worksâ€"just as Latin was used in the middle ages long after it had ceased to be spoken by any European nation." “If you will consult the puranas you will find," said Ram Singh, "that this theory, though commonly received, is on- tirely untenable.” "And if you will consult the Ramayana, and more particularly the canonical books on Buddhist discipline," cried my father, “ygunwili find that the theory is unassail- a e. .- . (To be Continued.) us.â€" CROP_ WATCHERS OF CHINA. Guards in Towers, Who Protect 'Growing Grain From Thieves. In China the fields are not proâ€" tected by hedges or fences;-â€"- the country lies quite open and» is everywhere easily accessiblef is not to be interpreted as an indi- cation of the peculiar honesty of the people or of their exceptional respect for their neighbor’s prop- erty. As a matter of fact thieving abounds. Large numbers of the people are very poor, and this class in order to subsist have frequent recourse to stealing. As the time of harvest approaches and the fruit-s and cereals are ripening orchards and fields are never safe from the unwelcome visitations of predatory bands. The farmer knows this, and hence everybody is. obliged to stand guard over everything. Al,- most every field has its watch tower. says a writ-er in the Wide World Magazine, and these frail tenements are never deserted, night. or day, until the harvest has been fully reaped. father's voice raised in most animated and the Oriental ap- This ' NAPIER TOURING OAR accomplish their purpose With maximum efficiency and minimum‘ discomfort. Increasing doses are not needed. a box at Druggist’s. 2 5 C . Your 174- } National Drug nndChcmlcal Co. of Canada. malted. .' _For sale at a sacrifice. ~ A beautiful finished doylinder, 7-passenJ ger car, fully equined and in first-class condition. This will make a splendid proposition for any real estate firm or lnew. Price $1,200.00. RUSSELL MOTOR OAR 60., lelted. 100 Richmond St. West. Toronto. Phone _ M. 207244) HOME STUDY The Arts course may be taken by correspondence, but students desir- ing to graduate must attend one session. For calendar: writs G. Y. CHOWN Kingston, Ont. EDUCATION. MEDICINE. SCIENCE. including ENGINEERING Kris Summer Session July 2 to Aug. l6 In some districts “crop watching societies” exist, Whose sole busi-{ ness is to provide professional “crop watchers” where and when-s; ever the ymay be required. Fields of kao-liang, or giant millet, are watched by a professional “crop watcher.” This stalwart planil grows to a. height of ten to fifbee-n‘ feet and a field of it is a veritable jungle for uclensity and impenetranf bility. This accounts for the height of the watch towerâ€"a. light wooden structure. ' " .- The watcher must, if his vigil is to} be of any use, be high-er than the crops he is'looking after. Even so' it is exceedingly difficult to detect the thieves, they are so effectually) hidden by the tall and dense growth of the kaoliang. The object of the‘ thieves is to possess themselves of the millet heads of the plants, and: this they can very easily pli-sh. sharp knife and a quick hand. ____._,>X4__.._..r.â€" .‘ The invention of the barometcf. dates back to the year 1643. _____â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"-â€"â€"â€"'â€"*___________â€"§=‘â€"â€"_â€"~' RUSSELL MODEL “R” For Sale. 30 hp engine. 5-pnssenger touring cam - Price $800.00. ' _ . This car is in splendid-running order, iully' equipped and worth imuch more than the, pr co. - RUSSELL MOTOR GAR 00., Limited, ‘ 100 Richmond St., West. 'Toronto. Phone M. 2072- _\. WANTEBâ€"Mere Workers ioal Process. you contract and the prices wo pay. COMMERCIAL ART STUDIO, l 1 figure. Most dairymen do much I , extra profits it earns for you. farm. Write for folder, entitled proofs. Also ask for our catalog. AGENCIES E terns furnished. Positively no experience required. chemicals and supply you with pictures to color, which you return to us. Good prices paid promptly by the wock or month. No canvassing or sellingâ€"our trav- ellers sell the goods and the field is unlimitcd for our work. pleasant work ,the year round for whole or spare time. write us and we will send 315 COLLEGE STREET. You Have‘ lore Cows it will pay you to use the STANDARD CREAM Surnames instead of skimming cream by the old method. By using the you will Beg, $15 more profit from each cow pcr yearâ€"and this is a low better than You can thus readily see that it takes but a short time for the Stand- ard cream separator to pay for itself. ‘K our EASY PAYMENT PLAN you can par: for your Standard out of the You've heard It’s the separator that has made new worlds records .[or close skiin- ming at experimental formacbcese and bn'ter factories. "Skiinminz Results." 1‘ 1912 Renfrewlllachinery £10., Limited ' Head Office and Works, RENFREW, cAsAnA. BRANCHES: susssx, n.3,; sasxn'roon, _sAsK.; CALGARY, ALTA. BRYWlIERE IN GAE At once to do picture coloring for us in their homes with our wonderful Chem- Simple, mechanical work. rapidly done. All pat- ,‘We furnish the Process and If you want clean. TORONTO CAN. this with the Standard. .‘iud by aking advantage of u. lot about the Standard. andyon the It gives the ADA. libflfl'L‘KEfln'Kr-‘r‘fllcnffim -m’ ' All that is necessary are a. .