Argosy, Vol. 122, No. 1 — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

THE CARAVAN moment the temperature dropped many de- grees. ‘“‘ Haste,” ordered Rawul Singh to the driver. ‘“ Would you discomfort these ladies who are guests of the. major sahib?” The horses were urged into a full gallop. Miss Rand uttered a faint cry, clutching the sides of the swaying carriage. Edith laughed joyously, tingling to the swift on- rush and the challenge of the wind. Dust eddied around them. Mongrel dogs dashed forth, barking, from stray hamlets. Rawul Singh glanced back, to reassure the girl, and smiled at her keen pleasure. “The mem-sahtb need have no fear,” he asserted. “These are good horses, and we will yet arrive before the rain.” Aside, he added: ‘‘ Drive, son of many fathers!” At the first heavy drops of rain they swept into the central avenue of Srinagar, under spreading trees, in almost total dark- ness. Lightning flashes dazzled them, while the quickening peal of thunder brought a ready response from the apprehensive Miss Rand. The carriage jerked to a halt just as the thunder-storm broke. Rawul Singh darted down and led them up a steep flight of steps in a grassy slope. With the orderly almost carrying the aunt and Edith running ahead, they gained the shelter of a wide veranda under the trees as the rain pelted down. A white figure strode to meet them and the girl was assisted up the veranda steps. She was panting with the effort of the climb and her modish hat was in sad dis- array. In the darkness of the veranda a voice spoke close to her ear. “T said that we would meet in Srinagar, ~ and it has come, to pass.’ A glimmer eid showed her the dark face of Edouard Monsey. Edith al- most cried out in surprise. She had ex- pected to see Major Fraser-Carnie. Black- ness hdd closed in on them again. A ter- tific curtain of rain swept down on the bungalow and the road became at once a mass of mud on either side of which twin rivulets gathered swiftly. She heard her aunt stumble on the porch. A second flash showed her the bearded countenance of the Afghan driver, who had come up with their hand luggage. Monsey OF THE DEAD. 21 had left her side after a quick clasp of her hand. “The major is detained at the resi- dency,” she heard him saying to Rawul Singh. ‘‘ He has ordered that the mem- sahibs make themselves at home in his _ quarters.” By now the full force of the thunder- storm swept the city. The mat blinds jof the bungalow rattled with the impact of the wind gusts. Lightning flickered incessantly, glittering on a myriad of shining dropg. A spattering of rain that was almost a spray swept along the porch and Rawul Singh led them inside, lighting lamps that trembled in the currents of air. Chilled. by the sudden cold, the girl found that Monsey was offezing her a glass -of liquid. ‘Slight dash of whisky,” he smiled, “‘ it will warm you.” Bending closer, he whis- pered: ‘‘ You have come to the garden, but a storm veils its beauty. Perhaps the gods are angry?” , She moved away a trifle, endeavoring tu arrange her hat. Monsey’s voice had been intimate, possessive. She saw that Rawul Singh looked at him curiously. And she | was provoked. But the white man left almost.-at once. A house boy showed them bedrooms on the second floor, opening into the upper porch. Rawul Singh had explained that they were to remain at the bungalow, and that his master had taken up quarters with fhe other sahibs near the residency. There was no good hotel, he said. Edith changed from her damp clothes, glad of the comforts of Européan dressing- table and bath-room. She took up a shawl and descended to the drawing-room, anx- ious to thank the major for his hospitality. She regretted the inconvenience they must have occasioned him. 9 The storm was still driving down. Win- dows and blinds were closed. The drawing- room was empty. Edith gazed about her with the curiosity of a woman newly arrived in a strange house. She saw neat disorder. Trophiegs—fine heads of mountain sheep and elk—hung from the walls. Twin. collections—native and European—of weapons were ranged on cCOomiclbooks.com