Adventure Magazine Cover — page 175: what you’re looking at

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

The Temple “You have suffered slightly,” she con- tinued. ‘Now I have returned to you your razors and the things that make you happy. Why? Because presently you shall lose them again, and suffer the more. I could have ordered my followers at Urga to kill Sir Fandi Singh, but I chose to let him return here. Let your. strong comrade break all the iron he wishes—when he has finished, another grill will descend!” The two captives began dimly to perceive what frightful refinements of cruelty this loathsome hag was capable of applying to them. The iron grating over which Day had triumphed, only to have a second descend in his face at the moment of victory, was only a slight instance; a symbol. Their return from slavery and torture to all the comforts afforded by their own food and personal.effects, was another symbol. Realities would come later. “Now, sahib, let us have an understand- ing. I have little quarrel with your friends; it is with you and Fandi Singh the Rajput that I wish to deal. Of course, if you make it necessary to kill your friends, as the ' Sikhs were killed at the temple, so much the worse for them!” “Ah!” exclaimed Kilgore. * “‘Then instead of being an execution, this is a parley!”’ “Neither; it is a choice. And the choice remains with you. Your friends in Urga, Severn, Sheng Wu and the Rajput, have proceeded cleverly. They interviewed the Hutuktu and obtained his authority to act, also a hundred horsemen: With these men, and a strong party of Manchu soldiers, they have crossed the desert and are now close at hand. They have taken every precaution. They mean to search out these caverns and discover your fate. They think me dead. They do not know that in their company are two of my men who communicate daily with me and inform me of their doings.” Esrun laughed—this time a chuckle of malicious amusement. Day, thinking of the unsuspecting band of men, began to perspire freely. “All very well,” said Kilgore in a calm voice. “What of it? Your spies will be discovered. Your telepathic communica- tions will be discovered. This place will be found out. What then?” “Tf the thought makes you happy, cherish it!’ was the sardonic response. “But I would advise you to be cautious. I shall let this strong friend of yours, this American, - Rajput,” came the response. of the Ten 165 go free. He shall be found by your friends. Let Fandi Singh hear his tale, then give himself up to me, join you here. The others may return home to Urga unhurt.” Kilgore laughed a little. ‘You do not know my friends! If Day - joined them, he would bring them here to my rescue.” “The word of a sahib is as the word ofa ‘And if the promise is broken, what matter? Your friends are powerless before me. The race of priests who once inhabited this place had many secrets, which I have discovered. They had much treasure, which I have used. - Shall I set this friend of yours at liberty?” “Let him return his own answer,” said Kilgore curtly. “Speak up, Day!” The American wet his lips with his tongue. In this moment, he was swiftly weighing the chances pro and con—not of his own safety, but of rescuing Kilgore. He per- ceived the one great danger. Knowing Fandi Singh as he did, and the highly chivalrous nature of the Rajput, he did not doubt that if he gave a promise, it would be kept by Fandi. He did not doubt that Fandi would return here in his place and trust the others to rescue them. And he dared not risk this. “May the lowermost said Day. “T’ll stay here.” Without a word, the figure in yellow rose and flitted away into the darkness, For a space, the two white men regarded each other in silence, each of them oppressed by what had just taken place. ‘Would you have kept your word to her?”’ asked Kilgore suddenly. “Not by a “But Fandi would have kept it for me.” Kilgore nodded, relaxed his cramped limbs and rose. He yawned and stretched swallow you!” himself. ‘Well, I’m for a bit of sleep, old chap. What say?” “Suits me,” was the response. Neither man cared to discuss the recent conversation; it was too fresh in their minds. Kilgore found his blankets, spread them out and rolled up. He was at the point of bodily and mental exhaustion, and in two minutes he was fast asleep. The conversa- tional duel with Esrun had been so terrific a drain upon his inner self that the re- action was swift and sure. He slept like a man drugged. IOOKk sight!”” Day said frankly. ; (E@ 5}