Adventure Magazine Cover — page 178: what you’re looking at

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

168 “Esrun—still alive!”’ murmured Severn. “Trapped!” came the hollow voice of Day, who was dimly conscious of why he had been allowed to join his friends. she wants—Sir Fandi. No hatred to others.”’ 7 He rambled along, giving vaguely jointed fragments of Esrun’s conversation with himself and Kilgore. Severn might have discounted-it as a mad dream, but Sheng Wu, who was an oriental, knew better. He gave a brief and correct exegesis of Day’s remarks as the latter went on. Little by little they uncovered the whole affair. When half an hour had passed the two ‘ listeners comprehended everything. Day ~ lay with closed eyes, conscious but drowsy and without animation. “Here is what has happened,” said Sheng Wu softly, blinking at the darkness which closed them in. ‘‘Esrun wanted no trouble with us, but desired greatly to.have Sir Fandi in her power. She sent Day to us. When Sir Fandi hears this story, what will he do? He will refuse to jeopardize us and will go to join Kilgore—not meekly as a victim, but trusting in himself to effect a rescue.” Severn nodded thoughtfully. “That seems correct. Well?” “Esrun’s spies have doubtless already reported by telepathy that Day is here,” went on the bland yellow man. “We can not discover who they are; no matter! [If - our force attempts to reach the lake, Esrun will summon her barbarians to overwhelm us in the defile. Therefore, we must leave most of them camped here. Remember, whatever we do will be at once reported to her!”’ “T see.” Severn frowned deeply. “If we are to rescue Kilgore, we must take Esrun by surprize. But to surprize her is impossible. She expects Sir Fandi to come alone to the lake, and there she will be pre- pared to ensnare him. Why, it’s absurd— yet true! To think of a blind old leper woman doing this——” “Nothing is absurd,” said Sheng Wu, and then added, ‘‘And nothing is impossible.” “What do you mean?” . “She will expect Sir Fandi. She knows him for a Rajput—a man of honor, a man of high chivalry, a man who would readily sacrifice his life for his friends. She is blind, however, and can not see him. She will speak with him in Hindustani to con- ‘an Adventure vince herself that he is. the right man and to confirm the report of her spies here. Unfortunately, 1 do not speak Hindu- stani——” 3 Severn started. 7 “I do!” he said, and remained for a space in thought. Sheng Wu waited, patient and quite comprehending Severn’s thoughts. At length the American lifted his head. “We must prevent Sir Fandi’s hearing Day’s story,” he said, speaking slowly. “T will answer for that,” réplied the other. “T will put him to sleep again.” “We must make our Mongols believe that » Sir Fandi has gone to the lake, alone. In fact he must go, so that they will believe its “I will answer for that, Mr. Severn. can go—and then return to the temple. the darkness, that will be very easy.” “Yet Sir Fandi must not realize the trath?”: = “T will answer for that.” “And,” concluded Severn, “‘the Mongols must not know that I have gone to the lake.” | “Right. I will send you off now with my Manchus, ostensibly to the temple. You will ride part way, then send them on ase Sir Fandi, and strike off by your- se #24 : Severn nodded. ~ “Good enough. And how will you answer to Sir Fandi for my absence?’ Sheng Wu was silent for a space. he smiled. “YT am afraid,” he said, “that I must tell our friend a few lies. Well! That is quite allright. It is one of the duties of universal obligation belonging to the intercourse of friends, as set forth in the twentieth chapter Tsze-sze’s ‘Doctrine of the Mean.’ There is only one thing that troubles me.” “And what is that?” queried Severn. “Your fate.” Severn laughed softly. “Don’t worry about that, Sheng. -Give me three days. If Kilgore and I don’t re- turn in that time——” “Then we shall come and avenge your death. You are a person of great virtue, my friend. You are risking much.” “No; I have not much to risk,” said Severn. ‘What remains to me is little enough to place at the service of my friends. Now, I want two horses, a supply of food; He In Then —=GOomichoo “S' (E@)