THE SACRED CITY OF THE LIVING BUDDHA 69 



light illuminates the couriyard. One evening Mr. Lu- 

 cander and Mr. Mamen, who sold the electric plant to 

 the Hutukhtu, were summoned to the palace to receive 

 payment. They , witnessed a scene which to-day could 

 be possible only in Mongolia. Several thousand dollars 

 in silver were brought outside to their motor car, and 

 the lama, who paid the bills, insisted that they count it in 

 his presence. 



A great crowd of Mongols had gathered near the pal- 

 ace and at last a long rope was let out from one of the 

 buildings. Kneeling, the Mongols reverently touched 

 the rope, which was gently waggled from the other end, 

 supposedly by the Hutukhtu. A barbaric monotone of 

 chanted prayers arose from the kneeling suppliants, and 

 the rope was waggled again. Then the Mongols rode 

 away, silent with awe at having been blessed by the 

 Living God. All this under a blazing electric light be- 

 side an automobile at the foot of the Bogdo-ol! 



The Hutukhtu seemed to feel that it became his sta- 

 tion as a ruling monarch to have a foreign house with 

 foreign furniture. Of course he never intended to live 

 in it, but other kings had useless palaces and why 

 shouldn't he ? Therefore, a Russian atrocity of red brick 

 was erected a half mile or so from his other dwellings. 

 The furnishing became a matter of moment, and Mr. 

 Lucander, who was temporarily in the employ of the 

 Mongolian Government, was Entrusted with the task of 

 attending to the intimate details. The selection of a 

 bed was most important, for even Living Buddhas have 

 to sleep sometimes — ^they cannot always be blessing 



