Adventure, July 1, 1928 — page 181: what you’re looking at

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

THE THRALDOM OF SINGAN When I lit a candle I saw his face. It was Eugene Pai.” ‘Pai! How did he get there?”’ “Quite easily,” said Madame Scala. “There are men watching the house, and Mr. Headley_himself is awake. Pai told the Malay syces that he wanted to see Mr. Headley and the men let him pass. I suppose he found out from one of the Chinese servants which room I was in.’ “Did Headley see him?” asked Cart- wright. “No. He came straight to me, along the veranda. The message he gave me was terrible—so terrible that it could have come only from my husband. He said that my husband was not far away, wait- ing for me, that I must go to him at once. He swore that you were dead, that your throat had been cut in your own bunga- low and, if I didn’t believe it, I could go there and see for myself.” “And where’s Pai now?” Cartwright demanded. He looked rather like a dog straining at a leash. “Half way down the road,” she answered, “between the Headley’s bunga- low and here. He wouldn’t come any farther. He was too frightened of Liu Tang. He thought Liu Tang was in this bungalow, and might kill him.” “Was that all the message?” “No. It is all terrible! Eugene Pai brought me my husband’s orders. I am to go at once to the place where the launch is hidden. If I do not return with Pai immediately, my father will be murdered.” Cartwright uttered an oath under his breath, and then turned to Eade. “You see the type of man we've got to deal with,” said he. “So far the game’s in our favor,” Eade answered. ‘“The opposition program’s not according to schedule. You’re supposed to be dead, my boy. Remember that.” PON a sudden Cartwright flung a -hand upward and snapped a finger and thumb, as if he were throwing something over his right shoulder. Next he blew out the light. 175 “You're right, John!” he exclaimed. “We can spring a surprise on Scala. You don’t mind talking it out in the dark?” he asked. “It’s better,” said Madame Scala quietly. ‘Eugene Pai is not far away.” “Headley knows you’ve left his bunga- low?” Cartwright asked. “TI suppose so,”’ she answered, “though no one may have seen me leave.” “Tv’ll be best to warn him,” said Charles, “for if he finds out you’re gone he may be anxious. We go past his bungalow anyhow.” “‘Where are we going?” asked Eade. “Speak in a whisper,” said Charles. “T’ve got an idea. We want to find out where Scala is. Eugene Pai shall show us the way. Valérie has got pluck enough to do anything. I’m going to send her back to Pai with the news that I’m dead as mutton. She'll act the part all right.” “That will not be so difficult,” she said. “TI am already frightened. I fear for my father.” ‘We'll save him, Valérie,” said Charles. *T swear it. If we look in at Headley’s on the way, he'll want to come with us. And he’ll be a good man for the job; he’s the best tiger shot in this country, one of the few fellows I’ve ever heard of who will sit down in a clearing and eat his lunch while the beaters drive a tiger up to him. Unless Liu Tang is with him, Scala has got no one who would stand up to a Java sparrow. We'll be three to one, and if we can’t get the old man away we're not worth much.” “And what about Pai?” asked Eade. “IT guess that fellow won’t give much trouble, but we’ve got to account for him somehow.” “Dead easy,” Charles replied, “‘if Valérie does what I want. If Pai came through the jungle he must have brought a lantern with him.” “That is so,” said madame. “He had a lantern in his hand, but it was not alight.” ~ ““He’s bound to light it when he gets into the jungle; otherwise he won’t be able . to see his hand in front of his face. That comiclooks.conm