Adventure Magazine Cover, October 30, 1924 — page 134: what you’re looking at

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

124 if he says not. And she only eats when he gives her permission.” Dawa Tsering glanced at Ommony, who rather hoped he would say something to the lama about the Bhat disguise and thus bring that subject to a head; but he was disappointed. Nothing was farther from Dawa Tsering’s intention; he was thor- oughly enjoying what he thought was a perfect imposition on the lama. “This Gupta Rao,” he went on, “‘is a devil even greater than the dog. I like him. He and I are friends.” “Well,” said the lama, ‘“‘that seems to be excellent, because friends must stand to- gether. There is a devil needed in this play of mine, and you shall act the devil. You will like that. But remember: There must be no offense to Samding or to any one. You and Gupta Rao are together, being, as you say, friends. If I should need to dis- miss you because of wrongdoing I will dis- miss him also. Therefore his safety—do you hear me?r—his safety will depend on you, and you must behave accordingly.” The word safety was plainly intended for Ommony’s ears, and the chela glanced at him; but the lama’s eyes did not move. After a slight pause he continued— “You and the dog will both receive in- struction.” Then at last he looked at Ommony. ‘Will the dog open her mouth when she is told?” he asked. Ommony ordered Diana to sit upright; he did not need to use English, it was the tone of voice—the thought behind the sound that she understood. At a sign from him she opened her mouth wide and yawned. “That is good,” said the lama. ‘That will do. Peace dwell with you, my son— Samding!”’ The chela helped him to his feet, rolled up the mat and followed him to the door exactly as on the first occasion, leaving Om- mony and Dawa Tsering looking at each other until the Hillman threw his shoulders back and laughed. ‘““Now you see why I have served him all these months! I, who have a devil in me! I, who mean to slay a man in Spiti! I, who hate a long-faced monk as an ape hates the river!” Then another thought occurred to him. ‘You must pay me more money, Gupta Rao, else I will offend the old Bag of Wisdom and he will discharge the two of us!”’ Adventure | But instead of answering Ommony got up and found his way to the little room re- served for him. Through the slats of the window he could hear Dawa Tsering, squat- ting beside Diana, taking her into confi- dence: “Tt would be amusing, thou, to betray this Ommonee and see what happens. But I am afraid that what would happen might be serious. I think I had better say noth- ing, because what may happen then will probably be amusing. Thou, I think a per- son who can teach thee such obedience might be a bad enemy and a good friend!”’ Tibetans brought the evening meal, with a huge bowl of rice and a bone for Diana, but Diana refused to touch the food al- though a man set the bowl down in front of her and Dawa Tsering urged. It was not until Ommony gave her permission that she fell to greedily. “Thou, Gupta Rao, put no such spell upon me!’ Dawa Tsering urged solemnly. “IT am used to eating when my belly yearns for it!” Mee OMMONY finished his meal and decided to find out whether or not he was under any personal restraint. He crossed the courtyard and approached the double gate through which the carriage had entered that morning. There was a Tibetan standing near, who bowed, saw his intention, and opened the gate civilly to let him through. Diana followed, but he sent her back, making her jump the gate, which she man- aged at the third attempt, and he could hear the Tibetan on the far side laughing good-humoredly. He knocked on the gate from outside and the Tibetan opened it. Plainly there was no restriction on his movements; so he whistled Diana and started strolling down the alley, considering Benjamin and wondering whether the old Jew had lied about the smuggled children— and if so, why? What did Benjamin stand to gain by telling such a tale if it were not true? “The more you know of India the less you know!” he muttered. It was Diana who transferred his thoughts to another angle of the problem. She had paused at the end of the alley and was signaling in the way she used to in jungle lanes when she detected a human who had no ostensible right to be there. Ommony stood still, which obliged her micloool CO inn