Adventure Magazine Cover — page 177: what you’re looking at

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

The Temple of the Ten “Carry him to my tent,” ordered Severn. “What is this?” One of the Mongols put a sheaf of black papers into his hand. The papers were tied about with a strip of torn cotton. “Tt was hanging about his neck. There was nothing else.”’ Severn examined the papers. They were of varying sizes, from six inches in length and four in width to three times as much. They were nearly black in color. Upon each was imprinted a series of ideographs in vermilion; the papers were clear as if fresh from the press. When he saw the ideographs, Severn barely repressed a cry of incredulous won- der. “Mulberry paper—bank-notes!”’ he said, staring at them. He glanced again at the red imprints. “Issued by Kublai Khan— impossible! These must be imitations——” They were not imitations; he was con- vinced of this, even while he uttered the words. His false arm told him nothing; but the fingers of his remaining hand were too sensitive to feel for deception to answer here. He had the instinct of the archeolo- gist for delicate perceptions of patina and fiber... He knew that he was _ holding genuine bank-notes of the Yuan dynasty, issued in the thirteenth century, yet pre- served perfectly! . With an effort, he thrust the papers into his pocket and hurried to the side of his rescued comrade. As he gained the tent he halted abruptly, lifting his head. From _the direction of the Temple of the Ten had come a sustained burst of firing. It ended as suddenly as it had begun. Severn ordered out scouts and sentinels, then examined Day. He was not long in determining what drug held his friend unconscious. It was cannabis Indica, that Indian hemp about which so much misinformation is spread abroad. This drug when given internally throws a man into a slumber which lasts for hours or days, an intense and deep slumber. Upon awakening, the victim is in something akin to a subconscious mental state; all power of concentration is gone for a time, and his brain is horribly relaxed. He can repeat, but he can not think. His initia- tive is destroyed. Then, literally, he can not tella lie. Severn guessed that Day’s slumber had nearly run its course, but it was no time for delay. Kilgore might be somewhere near at hand, and in danger. Sheng Wu and Fandi had obviously fallen upon ene- mies. ‘The need for action was imperative. Without hesitation Severn procured a hypodermic, melted a stiff restorative solu- tion and injected it into Day’s arm. Then ._ he awaited results in an agony of impatience. He was still waiting when, with the sun- light gone, Sheng Wu and a dozen Man- chus came riding into the camp. The Chinaman’s report was brief. They had found a score of Darkan tribesmen en- camped at the temple and had fallen upon them instantly. ‘Where is Sir Fandi?’’ demanded Severn. “Did you get my message about Day?” Sheng Wu assented. “That was why I returned,” and he blinked a little. “Sir Fandi Singh remained with the rest of our men. Some of the barbarians were being pursued and others had been captured. My Manchus under- took to make them talk. I did not care to witness the proceedings.” At this Severn’s lips clenched for an instant. He comprehended that Sir Fandi would stop at nothing to get news of Kilgore. He took Sheng Wu to the side of Day. The latter’s eyelids were fluttering. He gazed up at them vacantly, then his lips formed the name of Severn. He was conscious again. For half an hour the two men remained sitting beside Day. The latter told a rambling but perfectly coherent story. He had been hit on the head while he slept and knew nothing more. Of the Yuan bank-notes he could tell nothing. Of himself and Kilgore and Esrun he could tell everything, and he did so. Be- fore his story was half-finished, Sheng Wu arose and summoned the officer of his Manchu troops. “You will order the Mongol barbarians : to remove their camp to a distance of a hundred yards. Place three of our own men as sentries about this spot, and shoot any one who comes near.”’ The officer departed- Severn glanced up in surprize. | “You heard what he said,” explained Sheng Wu blandly. “‘Esrun has spies” among our men; those spies will be among the barbarians, not among my Manchus. That is-all.” 167 (E00) NOOLKS