Atma - A Romance

But the Nawab interposed with moderate speech. "It is," said he, "a wise

man who knows the omens of the future, and is thereby guided."

"The services of a skilful necromancer are greatly needed at the

present," whispered a courtier.

Many of the company were now standing, scanning with anxious gaze the

distant horizon. They looked far a-field, but high overhead the robber

looked down on them. There was the falcon mid-way between earth and sky.

Now it began to sink. Swiftly it fell, and a cry escaped the lips of the

few who observed it. The bird's keeper was off with the expedition, but

as it reached the earth, a very few yards from the Rajah's circle, a

dozen men were instantly upon it. Foremost was Atma Singh, his hand it

was that grasped it. It was tired, and stood on his left wrist with

anything but the air of a convicted thief, as with head bent sideways it

inspected the throng. Atma strode forward to the Rajah, and a dismayed

cry arose that the Sapphire was lost indeed. The bird no longer held it.

Atma took no heed, but advancing made obeisance before Golab Singh, and

extended to him his captive.

"Your clemency, Maharajah," he said, "for the truant."

"Had he brought back the Sapphire he might have gained mercy," said the

Rajah, with more anger, Bertram thought, than he had ever seen him

display. "Take away the knave out of my sight, and despatch a horseman

at once to the Palace with command that four hundred men forthwith

search all this plain, with every tree on it and every stream that

crosses it, until they find the jewel."

Lal Singh since his angry outburst had stood aside, his narrow face

contracted, and had not ceased to watch Atma from the moment when he

seized the falcon. His cunning eyes followed the young Sikh as he bowed

before the Ruler of Kashmir, and now gliding forward he cringed before

Golab Singh, as he hissed in a voice nearly inarticulate with triumph

and hate, "Maharajah, the plain is wide; before entering on so extensive

an undertaking, order someone more trusty than Atma Singh to recover the

stone by searching the leal descendant of the holy Nanuk! I, though less

lofty of sentiment and aspiration, am filled with horror and grief,

because I have perceived him to take the Sapphire from the bird the

moment it touched ground."

The effect of this charge can hardly be described: indignation on the

part of some, among whom were Atma's British friends, at what they felt

assured must be a groundless accusation; suspicion and anger on the part

of others. "Let him immediately be seized and searched," commanded the

Rajah.