The Rajah's Fortress — page 293: what you’re looking at

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

278 THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. lamp and turning toward the doorway. Then he for the first time discovered Topee’s absence. ‘*That heathen Chinaman has turned traitor,’’ he cried. ‘* He has stolen the arms and let the enemy in on us.’? Guy shook his head. ‘No, the Chinaman is faithful.’’ ‘We'll see about that,’’ went on Loyd, angrily, advancing to the door and pulling aside the cur- tains. Guy followed close behind, and as the glow of the lamp shone into the chamber, he saw with stunning surprise that it was empty. He stared about him stupidly, unable to credit his own senses. ‘*Where’s that Chinaman?’’ demanded Loyd. ‘“The rascal is in hiding somewhere. Look! he has been plundering the jewel case. That’s what comes of putting any trust in a yellow face Oriental.”’ ‘“No. I say the Chinaman is all right,’’ insisted Guy firmly. ‘‘ But search the room. Don’t miss a corner, and then I'll tell you what I saw only a moment ago. I’m beginning to think that this place is under an evil spell.’’ They all joined in the search eagerly. Every inch of curtain was pulled aside, the rugs were torn up, the furniture was moved about, and then a critical examination was made again of the walls and the floor, but the search proved useless. The Chinaman was gone, mysteriously and unaccountably gone, and the manner of his departure was a deep and dreadful mystery. ‘‘What does this mean ?’’ cried Loyd, in a voice that shook a little. ‘‘ How can such a thing be? No one has gone out by the door. The bolts have not been drawn.”’ COLUM 1OOO SS co